Talk:Mastodon (band)

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Contents 1 Returned to Last Version 2 Influences, Genre 3 Signing to Warner 4 Call Of The Mastodon 5 Classification Question 6 Jada Pinkett Smith 7 Internet leak 8 Disambiguation of genre 9 Last sentence 10 Mastodon Tribute CD and The Workhorse Chronicles... 11 Progressive Metal genre... 12 Josh Homme 13 Wtf? 14 Disambiguation 15 alternate tunings

[edit] Returned to Last Version

Just returned this page to a previous version because of the extreme vandalism. I did not make any other edits. CABLEFTW 11:43, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Influences, Genre

Stop wrecking this article with subjective information and an accumulation of crap in the summary at the top. GoodSirJava 18:32, 23 October 2005 (UTC)

The problem is, Mastodon has had many metal magazines stumped, Troy Sanders said himself in an interveiw for a bass guitar magazine that Mastodon has been labelled as "Whalecore", "Elephant Rock" and "Mammoth Metal". "Noise Metal" has been a term bandied about a lot in the british metal press and amoungst fans in Britain. --KronKron 22:20, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

The important quantity to note is that splitting hairs over metal sub-genres contributes very little to the article; the actual definitions of these sub-genres are incredibly esoteric and subjective, anyway. GoodSirJava 03:47, 11 December 2005 (UTC)

I would say most of the elements of their music suggest that they are a mathcore band, but they've moved away from the Dillinger Escape Plan-esque meter signatures determined by the throw of dice on Leviathan. Compounding the classification difficulties, Wikipedia separates mathcore and math metal into separate articles, whereas I've generally heard the terms used interchangeably. It's a tough call. Cassandra Leo 08:18, 7 December 2005 (UTC)

although, now that I think about it, they also have a lot in common with sludge metal, and in fact are listed on that style's list of bands on Wikipedia. Cassandra Leo 08:40, 7 December 2005 (UTC)

Both Remission and Leviathan barely sounds like anything the Dillinger Escape Plan has produced. I can see why there are some comparisons (the drumming and leads) but they really don't sound the same. Mastodon's riffs are chunkier, the vocals are not screams and there is barely any industrial sounds. Also, many other metal bands have used the same elements Mastodon use before they did and they are not limited to either them or the Dillinger by a long bloody shot. But Mastodon are a good metal band and produce real music while Dillinger are a god awful noise band and have little to no metal in them. More hardcore, jazz and most importantly noise elements. That is not music in any way or form. -- Markendust

Yes, jazz is definitely not a valid musical influence. =/ I do agree though, that the two bands sound nothing alike, and Mastodon doesn't classify as noise metal or math metal. Why not just simply "progressive metal"? Why try so hard to narrowly classify something as subjective as this? 68.35.200.26 13:51, 20 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Signing to Warner

Should there be something added to the article about the band moving from Relapse to a major label?

As a point of clarity, did they sign to Reprise or to Warner? (reprise is sublabel of warner, and appears on Blood Mountain, oddly so does the Relapse heart signature)Atechi 19:21, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Call Of The Mastodon

I created an article on the new release Call of the mastodon but the only way i can get the articles that include the title name to have it act as a link is to make only the first letter of the first word capitalized, while leaving the others lowercased, how can i fix this?
you know what, someone just do it for me, please.

Fixed it for you. In the future you can use the Move page function to do that. —Slicing (talk) 19:23, 14 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Classification Question

I wonder if Mastodon shouldn't be labled as progressive metal. I seem to recall several records stores having them (Leviathan) stocked in that area. I personally think they are much more talented than your average "sludge metal" or "power metal" bands. I have also mentioned this in the progressive metal discussion page...--Mikepope 02:15, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Jada Pinkett Smith

she mentioned in Q magazine she listens to Leviathan doubt if it's mentionable

[edit] Internet leak

High quality version (lossless) of Blood Mountain leaked to OiNK September 2, 2006 Braincandle 22:59, 4 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Disambiguation of genre

The disambiguation link has Mastodon as Progressive Sludge Metal. I suggest changing it to just heavy metal, as this is the first style given in the article, and Progressive Sludge Metal is also dismissed as not widely accepted

[edit] Last sentence

I deleted the last sentence that started talking about the genre again. The statement that the were "nu-metal" is one of the dumbest things I've heard in a long time, haha. I also felt that it was just a rehashing and wasn't needed since the genre was already stated. If you have any problems with it... sorry. user:willsy Oct. 16th, 2006 12:31 AM

yeah, the whole 'Mastodon, is a nu-metal/metalcore' bit at the beginning of biography needs to stop popping up. Regardless of whether or not you disagree with their super fine detailed sub genre, it's redundant because the [much more appropriate] genre is listed at the top. I already editted it once, so let's hope some elitist "metal expert" doesn't edit it again.Super Pixel Advance 23:11, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

I agree... I hate these guys that are "purists" but listen to complete crap. Hah, have to keep it clean for this place I guess. user:willsy 8:49PM, 16th October 2006

[edit] Mastodon Tribute CD and The Workhorse Chronicles...

While looking for information on The Workhorse Chronicles DVD (That should be added), I also found a tribute disc called "Taste of Chaos Ensemble Perform's Mastodon's Leviathan."[1]

Does anybody think that should be added? Also The Workhorse Chrnonicles DVD?

AKnot 06:00, 2 December 2006 (UTC)

Good album. In my opinion, the fact that the band has a tribute album is worthy of mention. --Orion213434 08:56, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Progressive Metal genre...

I just removed the prog metal genre after readding it after someone removeing it (before me); as well as removing it from the prog metal wiki (not the list) because he thinks it's Technical Metalcore. Do you guys think they are progresive metal? For me I think they are.

Discuss...

AKnot 01:30, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

no, they are not progressive metal. Progressive metal is not just about using complex time signatures, it's way beyond that. See progressive metal for more info. Dexter prog 14:54, 13 December 2006 (UTC)

--Theotherness 13:34, 27 December 2006 (UTC)

Why shouldn't they be considered progressive metal? Progressive metal is just that: PROGRESSIVE...METAL. There is no question whatsoever that Mastodon are a metal band, and they constantly progress their sound. Progressive metal isn't all about sounding like Dream Theater, either.

Progressive metal is a mixture of genres which developed from progressive rock. The fact of having complex time signatures is not a valid reason to call a band "progressive metal". Again, this is the 3er time I say it, read progressive metal for more info. -- Dexter prog 22:37, 27 December 2006 (UTC)

"Progressive metal is a genre of heavy metal music which shares traits with progressive rock including use of complex compositional structures, odd time signatures, and intricate instrumental playing" That's the first sentence in the progressive metal article. Hearts Alive sounds like a pretty prog song to me. --Orion213434 9:06, 1 January 2007

When an article cites another article, you have to read the article sited also. "Progressive rock acts often combine elements of jazz and classical music, folk and world music influences with rock formats, often rejecting specific genre norms, and instead utilising relatively uncommon musical structures and ideas. As such, progressive rock can be seen as an approach to songwriting as well as a genre of its own." -- Dexter prog 23:36, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

"Progressive metal is a genre of heavy metal music which shares traits with progressive rock including use of complex compositional structures, odd time signatures, and intricate instrumental playing. The high level of musical proficiency is often combined with a lyrical counterpart in the form of epic textual concepts, resulting in lengthy songs and concept albums. As a result of these factors, progressive metal is rarely heard on mainstream radio and video programs, much due to that the length of the songs are not suited for those medias." Sounds like Mastodon to me. Theunknown42 02:32, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

"Progressive rock acts often combine elements of jazz and classical music, folk and world music influences with rock formats, often rejecting specific genre norms, and instead utilising relatively uncommon musical structures and ideas. As such, progressive rock can be seen as an approach to songwriting as well as a genre of its own." Sounds not like Mastodon to me. --Dexter prog 16:40, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

We're not talking about progressive ROCK. We're talking about progressive METAL. Or were you not paying attention? And besides, I have not once attempted to state that Mastodon are a progressive ROCK band; I am saying that they are progressive METAL. And now that everything is settled (and if you're still thinking otherwise, you meaning anybody, then you really need to get a life), let's move on with our lives, shall we? --Theotherness 9:51, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Listen to Brann Dailor's drumming. Clearly it is heavily jazz inspired. Anyways, note the phrase "often." That indicates that it is common, but not a requirement. --Orion213434 08:54, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

@ Theotherness : you really don't know how to read and relate articles, please re-read. --Dexter prog 01:02, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

I'd say they are Prog Metal. Their approach to metal does use elements you wouldn't find in most metal bands. The way I see it is that if Tool are Prog metal, so are these guys. Plus, concept albums are very proggy. 89.243.95.142 13:58, 18 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Josh Homme

The person claiming to be Josh Homme at the end of the album actually is Josh Homme. He also sings on one of the tracks on Blood Mountain. I'm editing the article accordingly - it sounds stupid the way it's written at the moment.--*smb 16:45, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Wtf?

"technical sludge metal bands like Neurosis and the Melvins, who they are also influenced by. There is also a clear hardcore influence on the band, unsurprisingly as several of its members previously played in hardcore bands."

LOL. Sludge is a clear influence of hardcore

Doom + Hardcore = Sludge...

Read again, you miss understood the sentence. It doesn't state that hardcore is influenced by sludge. --Dexter prog 15:16, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Disambiguation

there is no point in adding a disambiguation to "mastEdon". Anyone can differ an E from an O.

Wikipedia:Disambiguation

"Disambiguation in Wikipedia is the process of resolving conflicts that occur when a single term can be associated with more than one topic. In many cases, this same word or phrase is the natural title of more than one article. In other words, disambiguations are paths leading to different topic pages that share essentially the same term in their title."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Disambiguation

--Dexter prog 16:42, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Yes a point. It's for those who misspell a the term and see that there's a band and click on that page. You're not being very courtious to the misspellers of the world. It completely falls in line with the policies on Disambiguation page:

Ask yourself: When a reader enters this term and pushes "Go", what article would they most likely be expecting to view as a result? (For example, when someone looks up Joker, would they find information on a comedian? On a card? On Batman's nemesis? On the hit song or album by The Steve Miller Band?) When there is no risk of confusion, do not disambiguate nor add a link to a disambiguation page.

If someone misspelled Mastedon's name, they may come to this page first that is why I added the see also. Since there's a huge risk of confusion the link should stay. --Walter Görlitz 18:25, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

I would consider adding a link back to the existing disambiguation page if you are somehow offended by the link to a Christian band. --Walter Görlitz 18:46, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

wikipedia articles don't have disambiguations every time anybody misspells a word, if a word is misspelled the person will realise when he or she reads the article's title. Regarding your example, yes, it is alright because this person is typing "joker" and there are various definitions of that word, but the person is not spelling "jeker" (for example) which is exactly what you keep saying. --Dexter prog 19:16, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

I have seen several pages that have disambiguations for slightly different spellings. The following is from Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Disambiguation_links, emphasis mine.

A user searching for a particular term might not expect the article that appears. Therefore, helpful links to any alternative articles with similar names are needed.

There are no guidelines for homonyms or words that are intentionally misspelled. As for your example, if Jeker actually had it own article, then it would make sense to add it to a disambiguation page for the term joker. If Jeker were an anti-hero in the Batman series, or a card name, etc. then it would make sense to add that to those pages as well. Mastedon actually has a page, is a hard rock band and people could come to this page expecting to find information on the band, and I have seen the band's name misspelled several time in publication so that is why I added it here.

People misspell thing and make typographical errors all the time. I suggest that we ask some admins to decide since both of us have valid points. --Walter Görlitz 22:03, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] alternate tunings

I haven't learned to play most of mastodon's material, but i'm fairly certain that Circle of Cysquatch is in C# standard, only with the low C# tuned to A.

Note that in the intro to Circle of Cysquatch, the high C# string is played unfretted every other note or so. You can see this being played in one of the making the album video clips on the band's official website.

Whoever posted this bit about the alternate tunings, which I don't really see that necessary, should at least go through and see if the songs in "drop A" aren't all in the tuning I refer to. Also, these tunings aren't all that extraodinary. I don't think every band should have a section detailing the different tunings they use. Perhaps a page for an individual song should mention the specific tuning used in that song. But this is kind of extraneous info.

Mastodon doesn't use C#, Circle Of Cysqautch is in AGCFAD, low to high. Orion213434 22:50, 11 March 2007 (UTC)