But there’s more to it. These guys aren’t just performing a trick or something. The music is well written. There’s more to it than just ‘look at us being weird’. But the different influences are clear. There’s Iron Maiden, there’s Led Zeppelin, there’s Thin Lizzy, there’s death metal and there’s doom metal. The way they mix all these different influences reminds me of Victims Family. Mastodon could be the Victims Family of metal. Weird, but understandable; their jumping from one style to another yet somehow they make it all sound natural and logical.

If it wasn’t for drummer Brann Dailor however, Mastodon would be nowhere. He can do it all. Straight up rock, weird rhythms, tempo changes, even blast beats, his playing is tight and reliable. Because I’m not the only one who’s first encounter with Mastodon is tonight, the audience was a little reserved at first. But after two or three songs everyone was enthusiastic. And as they end the show with a heavy rendition of Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Emerald’, Mastodon can be sure they’ve gained some new fans tonight.

High On Fire
After the demise of the label Man’s Ruin, High On Fire was picked up by Relapse. Maybe a little surprising as most Relapse bands aren’t as straight forward as High On Fire. On the other hand High On Fire are extreme enough for a label like Relapse. Anyway, they have a new album out and their touring, so, everything turned out for the best.

In a live situation High On Fire sound like they do on their previous album ‘The Art Of Self Defense’. Their latest effort, ‘Surrounded By Thieves’ might be better produced but it doesn’t have the raw and direct energy of its predecessor. (Anyway, both albums are among my favourites so I’m not complaining)

Live, they do have that energy. There just isn’t any other doom metal band around that can put so much rock ‘n’ roll in their music. This band is as powerful as Motörhead and they’re as doom as Cathedral and Electric Wizard together.

(Review: Walter de Korver
Pics: Marcia Gransbergen)