Easy Listening: A Playlist that Proves Metal isn't as Inaccessible as You Think
For many, "metal" might as well be a swear word. People wrinkle their noses at the term, and treat it like some wholly unapproachable genre fraught with Cookie Monster vocals, overwhelming guitar riffs, etc. "Yeah, yeah, I know metal," you might say. But with all due respect, you probably don't. And neither do I, really—I'm only in the early stages of an appreciation I can tell is going to take a while to fully develop. Metal is a complex beast, far too varied to be pigeonholed into a simple description. Its sub-genres, from doom to thrash to sludge to so... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayMastodon to Tour with Metalocalypse's Dethklok
A Mastodon tour is cool enough on its own. The thunderous riffs and progged-out guitars of the Atlanta-based quartet should satisfy the appetite of the most insatiable long-tressed, spike-belt-wearing, potentially-wizard-beard-possessing metalhead. But the key with metal is that old saw "too much is never enough." Good thing the architects of Mastodon's upcoming tour understand that wisdom, because they've gilded the proverbial lily, painted it black, and set it on fire with pentatonic chords screaming in the background. Yes, that's right: Brendon Small and company will don the mantles of Metalocalypse's semi-fictional Dethklok to co-headline Mastodon's tour.... read more
Found in: Music, NewsLil Wayne is a Bullfrog: Paste Puts the Patronus Charm on Nine Musical Artists
In Harry Potter’s world, a patronus is an animal protector created by a spell. Harry’s patronus is a stag... read more
Found in: Books, FeaturesBest Music of 2009 (So Far): Steve LaBate, Associate Editor
To celebrate the half-way point of 2009, this week Paste staffers are counting down their favorite albums and songs of the year (so far). Check out all of our lists here, and share your own favorites in the comments.So much love to give already this year, and it’s not even July. And there’s even more to come later this year with new albums from The Avett Brothers, Pearl Jam, the Beastie Boys, Tom Russell and Calexico, Jay-Z, Os Mutantes, Yo La Tengo, The Black Crowes, Gordon Gano, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne and The Dead Weather. I’m only supposed to include 10 albums and 10... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayMastodon Unveils Custom Vans, Paste Demands More Musical Product Endorsements
If you thought that custom edition Vans were strictly the purview of pop-punk bands, think twice. Think three times if you need to. An ad from this month's issue of Decibel (pictured above) shows a pair of Vans emblazoned with the man-deer-demon from the cover of Mastodon's 2006 tour-de-rock, Blood Mountain. Now you'll have some very metal footwear for your own epic quest to find the Crystal Skull. No word yet on whether the deer skull will be included or if it's one of those pre-order promo dealies.... read more
Found in: Culture, NewsWe Fun is Fun: 10 Reasons to Love the Atlanta Rock Doc
Over the course of the last seven days, Atlanta rock 'n' roll documentary We Fun was available for viewing as Pitchfork TV's "One Week Only" feature. But fret not if you missed it; your friends at Paste are here to help. See below for merely 10 reasons why We Fun is worth 72 minutes of your life. And if you live in Oxford, Miss., be apprised that the film will be screening at The Lyric Theatre on June 1. More news is expected from the We Fun camp soon. ... read more
Found in: Blogs, List of the DayMastodon Mulls Crack the Skye Film Adaptation
Metalheads seeking to audibly transcend the bounds of earth through Mastodon's international Summer tour might be getting a movie preview while they're at it. As the Atlanta band performs in-full the Russo-galactic tale driving its new concept album Crack the Skye, Billboard reports tentative talks of a film adaptation.... read more
Found in: Movies, NewsMastodon: Crack The Skye
Mastodon’s past flirtations with prog have consistently... read more
Found in: Music, ReviewsMy Morning Jacket to release Record Store Day exclusives
Repent! Oh, ye frequent downloaders. As reported earlier, the second annual Record Store Day has been confirmed for Saturday, April 18, and this time, a slew of bands are releasing exclusives that day to celebrate. Don't look for these at FYE or your outgoing Virgin Megastore; these are exclusive to independently owned record stores.... read more
Found in: NewsMastodon announces Crack The Skye North American tour
They've strode with behemoths, braved the stormy seas and climbed Blood Mountain in search of the crystal skull. Now, they're ready to leap off that precipice and Crack The Skye, and when they reach the other side of the wormhole and come back to planet Earth, they'll be bringing their special brand of madness to a city near you as part of a North American tour.... read more
Found in: Music, News
