Leviathan (2004) - Mastodon

 

Tracklist 

1. Blood and Thunder – 3:49

2. I Am Ahab – 2:45

3. Seabeast – 4:15

4. Ísland – 3:57

5. Iron Tusk – 3:03

6. Megalodon – 4:22

7. Naked Burn – 3:43

8. Aqua Dementia – 4:25

9. Hearts Alive – 13:39

10. Joseph Merrick – 3:33 (instrumental)

In 2004, Mastodon dropped Leviathan, and the metal world hasn’t been the same since. Inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, this wasn’t just a concept album — it was a tidal wave. A roaring, riff-packed plunge into obsession, madness, and the mythic power of the sea.

While their debut Remission introduced Mastodon’s technical ferocity, Leviathan was where they fully unlocked their vision. This is progressive sludge metal with a literary soul and a primal scream.

From the very first moments of “Blood and Thunder”, Mastodon sets sail with ferocity. Guest vocalist Neil Fallon (of Clutch) adds ballast to the chorus, shouting “White whale! Holy grail!” — a battle cry for metalheads and Melville fans alike.

Each track charts a chapter in the descent of Captain Ahab — metaphorical and literal — from the crushing fury of “Iron Tusk” to the sprawling emotional weight of “Hearts Alive”, a 13-minute odyssey that floats between doom, prog, and post-metal.

• Dual guitars (Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher) weave mathy riffs and massive grooves.

• Brann Dailor’s drumming is a highlight — more jazz-fusion than meat-and-potatoes metal.

• Conceptual cohesion — this isn’t just a bunch of heavy songs; it’s a journey.

• “Joseph Merrick”, the instrumental closer, offers a rare, reflective moment — like surfacing after being dragged through the depths.

Leviathan was a defining moment for early 2000s metal. It won Album of the Year from Revolver and Kerrang!, and helped re-establish the idea that metal could be both punishing and intellectually ambitious.

It also opened doors: this was the album that brought Mastodon to the larger stage, paving the way for Blood Mountain, Crack the Skye, and their evolution into one of modern metal’s most important acts.

Whether you’re drawn in by the concept, the musicianship, or just the sheer crushing heaviness, Leviathan stands tall — a stormy, sprawling, and unforgettable modern metal classic. It's more than just a nod to Melville. It’s a full-blown odyssey through chaos, purpose, and the deep unknown.