Once More 'Round the Sun
Mastodon · 2014
54 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A vibrant blend of heavy riffs and melodic harmonies, weaving intricate narratives through powerful musicianship.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Tread Lightly Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
-
→
The Motherload — This track stands out for its infectious groove and catchy chorus, representing a shift toward more accessible songwriting while retaining the band's heavy sound.
-
→
High Road — With its anthemic quality and driving rhythm, this song exemplifies the album's balance between melodic hooks and intense instrumentation.
-
→
Once More ’Round the Sun — The title track encapsulates the album's reflective nature, combining lyrical introspection with dynamic musical shifts that highlight Mastodon's evolution.
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 melodic elements creates a solid yet accessible metal album.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving rhythms and heavy guitar riffs, establishing a high-energy opening.
- Several songs incorporate melodic choruses that contrast with the heavier verses, creating dynamic shifts.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- reflective and introspective moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album expanded Mastodon's commercial reach, debuting at number six on the Billboard 200.
- Themes
- cyclical existence· personal evolution· introspective journeys
- Career context
- Once More 'Round the Sun is Mastodon's sixth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, The Hunter. Released in 2014, it marked a return to a more straightforward songwriting approach after the complex themes explored in their previous work. At this point in their career, Mastodon was solidifying their status as one of the leading bands in progressive metal.
Tracklist
- 1 Tread Lightly Start here 5:14
- 2 The Motherload 5:00
- 3 High Road 4:15
- 4 Once More ’Round the Sun 2:59
- 5 Chimes at Midnight 5:32
- 6 Asleep in the Deep 6:13
- 7 Feast Your Eyes 3:24
- 8 Aunt Lisa 4:08
- 9 Ember City 4:59
- 10 Halloween 4:39
- 11 Diamond in the Witch House 7:49
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Pale Communion
Opeth
Shares complex narratives and a blend of heavy riffs with melodic passages, exploring introspective themes.
L'Enfant Sauvage
Gojira
Combines powerful musicianship with themes of evolution and existence, wrapped in intricate song structures.
Purple
Baroness
Features vibrant melodies and heavy instrumentation while delving into personal and cyclical journeys.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.