Is there no stopping this behemoth of metal they call Mastodon? Not only have they probably made the album of 2009 with they're latest opus 'Crack The Skye' but everything they do seems to turn to gold. With just a sprinkling of dates on this visit to England it was pretty obvious they would sell out and just as predicted The Corporation is packed to the rafters with fans hungry for some new Mastodon material.

Entering the stage like triumphant heroes returning from battle the crowds reaction is one of jubilation and within seconds the backdrop screen kicks into life projecting haunting images as a visual focal point. As with shows State -Side Mastodon choose to play the whole of new album 'Crack The Skye' in its entirety. A bold move some may argue, however when your new album is of this quality your forgiven for being so bold. 'Oblivion' soon morphs into 'Divinations' and without a moment to catch your breath we're onto track seven 'The Last Baron', where did that time go? With vocal duties split between Brent Hinds and Troy Sanders Mastodon perfectly manage to fuse metal, jazz and prog into a sound all of their own. Then they return for some back catalogue material, highlight being the stomping 'March Of The Fire Ants'. The Mastodon live experience is one to behold catch them while you can in these small venues.

MARK DAVIES

SETLIST:
Oblivion
Divinations
Quintessence
The Czar
Ghost of Karelia
Crack the Skye
The Last Baron
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Bladecatcher
Colony of Birchmen
The Wolf is Loose
Crystal Skull
Capillarian Crest
Megalodon
Seabeast
Iron Tusk
March of the Fire Ants