Emperor of Sand
Mastodon · 2017
51 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A rich tapestry of heavy riffs and intricate melodies, blending sludge and progressive elements into a cohesive narrative experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Show Yourself — This track stands out with its anthemic chorus and accessible sound, showcasing Mastodon's ability to balance heaviness with melodic appeal while addressing themes of self-discovery.
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Sultan’s Curse Start here — Opening the album, this song sets the tone with its complex rhythms and dark lyrical imagery, encapsulating the overarching themes of fate and despair.
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Jaguar God — Closing the album with an epic length and emotional weight, this track exemplifies Mastodon's storytelling prowess through vivid imagery and powerful instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Mastodon's blend of heavy riffs and intricate melodies creates a compelling narrative experience across the album.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a heavy, driving riff in 'Sultan's Curse' that sets a dark tone, followed by intricate guitar harmonies in 'Show Yourself'.
- The lyrical themes of time and mortality are woven throughout the tracks, creating a narrative arc that culminates in the final song, 'Jaguar God'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- wave-like pacing experience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Recognized for its ambitious narrative and widespread acclaim, marking a high point in their career.
- Themes
- desert landscapes· mortality and loss· fate's burden
- Career context
- Released on March 31, 2017, Emperor of Sand marked Mastodon's seventh studio album and followed their critically acclaimed record, Once More 'Round the Sun. At this stage in their career, the band was solidifying their status as innovators in heavy music while exploring deeply personal themes tied to loss and mortality.
Tracklist
- 1 Sultan’s Curse Start here 4:09
- 2 Show Yourself 3:02
- 3 Precious Stones 3:45
- 4 Steambreather 5:03
- 5 Roots Remain 6:28
- 6 Word to the Wise 4:00
- 7 Ancient Kingdom 4:54
- 8 Clandestiny 4:28
- 9 Andromeda 4:05
- 10 Scorpion Breath 3:19
- 11 Jaguar God 7:56
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Through Silver in Blood
Neurosis
Explores heavy themes of existential despair with a blend of sludge and atmospheric elements.
Ghost Reveries
Opeth
Combines progressive structures with dark, personal lyrics about mortality and fate.
Panopticon
Isis
Shares a narrative-driven approach with heavy, immersive soundscapes reflecting themes of isolation and loss.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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