The Hunter
Mastodon · 2011
52 min · 13 tracks · heavy metal
A dynamic blend of progressive and sludge metal, layered with intricate melodies and visceral storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Curl of the Burl — This track stands out with its catchy riffs and memorable chorus, encapsulating the album's balance between heaviness and accessibility. Its infectious energy helped it become one of Mastodon's most recognizable songs.
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The Hunter — The title track features a haunting melody and introspective lyrics that reflect themes of loss and mortality, serving as a centerpiece for the album's narrative arc.
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Black Tongue Start here — Opening with aggressive riffs and relentless drumming, this track showcases Mastodon's heavy metal roots while setting an intense tone for the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances heavy riffs with melodic elements, showcasing Mastodon's distinctive sound while exploring new structures.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with aggressive riffs, while the second half shifts to more melodic and introspective pieces.
- The album closes with a softer track that contrasts sharply with the heavier material preceding it, creating a notable dynamic shift.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- dynamic emotional journeys
- immersive listening sessions
- thoughtful introspective moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — The Hunter marked significant commercial success and wider recognition for Mastodon.
- Themes
- mortality and loss· nature's ferocity· hunting metaphors
- Career context
- The Hunter is Mastodon's fifth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record Crack the Skye from 2009. At this point in their career, the band was exploring more accessible structures while maintaining their signature heavy sound, showcasing a willingness to evolve musically and lyrically.
Tracklist
- 1 Black Tongue Start here 3:27
- 2 Curl of the Burl 3:40
- 3 Blasteroid 2:35
- 4 Stargasm 4:39
- 5 Octopus Has No Friends 3:48
- 6 All the Heavy Lifting 4:31
- 7 The Hunter 5:17
- 8 Dry Bone Valley 3:59
- 9 Thickening 4:30
- 10 Creature Lives 4:41
- 11 Spectrelight 3:09
- 12 Bedazzled Fingernails 3:08
- 13 The Sparrow 5:30
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
L'Enfant Sauvage
Gojira
Explores similar themes of nature and mortality with heavy riffs and dynamic song structures.
Yellow & Green
Baroness
Shares a blend of melodic heaviness and intricate storytelling, focusing on personal and natural themes.
Heritage
Opeth
Combines progressive elements with dark lyrical themes, maintaining a heavy yet atmospheric sound.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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