MASTODON - LEVIATHAN

I'd ordered Remission from Relapse not long after it had been released and was instantly amazed by the drumming of Brann Dailor. I went back and picked up the album he did with Today Is The Day and within the space of a few months a guy I'd never heard of before was now once of my favourite drummers.

When Leviathan was released I heard mixed reviews and for reasons that I'm not exactly sure of now, didn't pick it up immediately. Luckily a friend of mine did and since then it has been my favourite release from the band.

I did manage to pick up a copy on blue vinyl not long after it had come out for not much more than retail but I really wanted a white copy out of 100. I'd seen it go for close to $200 but luckily it has dropped since then and I was able to get this for much less than half of what it sold for at that time.

Much like how people argue over which of the first four Metallica albums is the best, I'm sure people will do the same with Mastodon in the future but for me this is it.

White /100

MASTODON - CRACK THE SKYE

Crack the Skye is vastly different from the bands previous album Blood Mountain, but I guess Blood Mountain was also different from Leviathan, as was that album from remission.

I do enjoy the new direction Mastodon have taken, but with that being said the drumming seems to be simpler on each release and it was the amazing drum work of Brann Dailor that originally drew me to this band. Hopefully the Leviathan style drumming will return on future releases as when listening to these songs I can't help but feel like they could have been so much more. Less vocals from Brent Hinds would also be welcome.

Red and gold mix vinyl /600

TAINT - THE RUIN OF NOVA ROMA + SECRETS AND LIES

Great Welsh band that I've seen play a few times since I moved to London in 2008. At one of their shows, I picked up both of their full length LP's. They have a new EP out which I haven't picked up yet but will do at some stage in the near future.

If you're into bands like Mastodon then I highly recommend picking up The Ruin Of Nova Roma to begin with. If all was fair in the world of music these guys would be much bigger than they currently are. If you live in the UK and haven't seen these guys play before, make sure you check them out when they are in your town.

Not sure of the pressing info on these.

CAVE IN - PLANETS OF OLD

Cave In are one of my favourite bands of the past 10 years. They are constantly able to put out great records without any crossover in sound between releases. Until Your Heart Stops and Jupiter are two of my favourite albums of all time, are by the same band with the same members but sound absolutely nothing alike.

I was obviously excited to see what they'd do on their first release after a hiatus of 3 years and the result was Planets Of Old, a 4 track EP released on Hydra Head.

The EP is a mixture of old and new. There are parts that sound like they could be of previous Cave In releases but no one song has you thinking "oh that could have been on [insert album]". While nothing on here rivals Luminance from the Creative Eclipses EP, these are still very good songs and if this is the direct Cave In are heading then I welcome it.

Hydra Head continues it's "wacky" vinyl colour naming policy with my copy on All Natural Vanilla Pistachio Ice Creams Vinyl.

1st Press All Natural Vanilla Pistachio Ice Creams Vinyl /???

TORCHE - MEANDERTHAL

More poppy than their first full length, with less heavier tracks.

I saw Torche twice in relatively quick succession not long after this album came out. The first time was as a 4 piece and the live show was great. The second time was just after they'd lost a member and it certainly wasn't the same. Hopefully they work that out if remaining a 3 piece is the way they go.

First press of this vinyl was on solid colours, two of which I picked up. There was also a picture disc.

The second press was far more interesting and I prefer it. Pictured here is the "lizard skin" variation.

1st Press Orange /200
1st Press Purple /400
2nd Press Lizard Skin /400