Is Remission a good place to start with Mastodon?

Yes, Remission is recommended as a starting point for new Mastodon listeners. A chaotic blend of heavy riffs and intricate drumming that melds sludge, progressive, and metalcore influences into a visceral sonic experience. When Remission was released in 2002, Mastodon was emerging from the underground scene, having just recorded their debut EP. This album marked their first full-length release and set the tone for their distinct sound, characterized by complex rhythms and dark themes, establishing them as a formidable force in heavy music.

Who is Remission for?

Remission works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long immersive listening sessions and wave-like pacing and intensity.

How many songs are on Remission?

Remission has 11 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Remission

Mastodon · 2002

50 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal

A chaotic blend of heavy riffs and intricate drumming that melds sludge, progressive, and metalcore influences into a visceral sonic experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Crusher Destroyer Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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March of the Fire Ants — This track showcases Mastodon's signature blend of aggression and melody, featuring intricate guitar work and a dynamic shift between heavy and melodic sections that epitomizes their sound.
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Where Strides the Behemoth — With its crushing riffs and relentless pace, this song encapsulates the album's thematic focus on nature's brutality, acting as a harbinger of the band's lyrical depth.
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Trainwreck — This lengthy track highlights the band's progressive tendencies with expansive instrumentation and shifting time signatures, exemplifying their ability to craft epic narratives within heavy music.
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Elephant Man — The closing track combines haunting melodies with crushing heaviness, creating an emotional resonance that leaves a lasting impression, showcasing Mastodon's range in both lyrics and sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

62 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Mastodon's debut blends heavy riffs with intricate rhythms, establishing a distinct sound that influenced the metal genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that features rapid tempo changes and aggressive guitar riffs, setting a chaotic tone.
The last three tracks progressively slow down in tempo, allowing for a more atmospheric and introspective conclusion.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

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
wave-like pacing and intensity
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album marked Mastodon's first full-length release, establishing their reputation.
Themes: nature's brutality· chaotic sonic landscapes· mythical beasts
Career context: When Remission was released in 2002, Mastodon was emerging from the underground scene, having just recorded their debut EP. This album marked their first full-length release and set the tone for their distinct sound, characterized by complex rhythms and dark themes, establishing them as a formidable force in heavy music.
Stylistic neighbors: Baroness· Opeth· Gojira