Released: 2009

Genres: Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Heavy Psych

The Musiquarium’s Crack the Skye Review Score: 4/5

On Mastodon’s fourth album, the elemental theme of their previous albums continues, with Crack the Skye being represented by the celestial aether element. The title is a tribute to Brann Dailor’s late sister, Skye, who died by suicide when she was only a teenager, and though the album’s concept revolves around astral projection and Russian czars, the album is very much dedicated in her honour.

After having Matt Bayles as a producer on their first three records, the band swaps him out for Brendan O’Brien (known for producing albums for bands like Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and Rage Against the Machine), resulting in the band’s most melodic album yet, and like each preceding album, Crack the Skye also has an increasing emphasis on clean vocals, with Brann Dailor joining Brent Hinds and Troy Sanders as a vocalist this time around (though there are still some harsh vocals present).

Crack the Skye is Mastodon’s most progressive album yet, with a healthy blend of shorter, more accessible songs (Oblivion, Divinations, Quintessence, Ghost of Karelia, and the title track) and two 10+ minute-long epics, The Czar and The Last Baron. King Crimson’s In the Court of the Crimson King and Pink Floyd’s Animals were major influences on Crack the Skye, giving it a somewhat vintage feel, with the influences showing, as Mastodon’s fourth LP is filled with twisting and turning progressive riffs, and is perhaps their greatest musical achievement to date.

Crack the Skye may not be as heavy as Leviathan was, but it’s definitely a tighter and leaner album than Blood Mountain. Crack the Skye is Mastodon’s most well-rounded album yet and a fantastic end to their run of four classic albums in the 2000s.

For credit breakdowns and historic release details, view Mastodon on Discogs.

Back to the 2009 Album Reviews Guide or the Mastodon Reviews page.

Written by Brett Nippard