Mastodon are not the kind of band to do things in small measures. Their last album ‘Crack the Skye’ was, in a way not dissimilar to their previous three releases, a rock record of mammoth proportions, as their name suggests. Fortunately, ‘Live at the Aragon’ is no exception. ‘Crack the Skye’, the fourth album from the band, captured Mastodon at their ferocious and genre-challenging best, mixing gigantic riffs and rhythms with mind-bendingly abstract lyrics and song structures. This live album, recorded in Chicago in 2009, takes things a step further.
The CD/DVD release of ‘Live at the Aragon’ will be a welcome addition to the music collection of anyone who has already been enjoying the magnificence of 2009’s ‘Crack the Skye’, and even those who are yet to pick it up. Here, you get to check out the bearded prog-metallers’ most recent offering in all its live glory from the comfort of your own home. Not only that, but with the accompanying DVD, you even get to enjoy the (almost) full effect of devil horns, sweaty revellers and moshpit carnage at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom.
Although ‘Live at the Aragon’ does a pretty successful job of seizing Mastodon’s masterful performance outside a studio, don’t expect any onstage chitter-chatter or amusing group banter. This is very much a live album rather than just a recorded gig. From the moment you hear the introductory roar of the crowd as the band take to the stage for ‘Crack the Skye’ opener ‘Oblivion’, it’s instantly obvious to realise that this is an extremely well executed, heavy rock routine.
With each Floydian solo, each thundering drum racket and each rumbling bass line, the album provides a track-by-track guide to the Mastodon live experience at its finest. Only a live version of their last album, you might say. However, ‘Live at the Aragon’ is much more than that. With the final addition of a few older tracks and a cover of Melvins’ song ‘The Bit’ providing the perfect encore to the evening, this is a live album that stands out among live albums. Hopefully, like ‘Alive!’, ‘Live at Leeds’ and ‘Kick Out the Jams’, this one will be worth remembering.
Stereoboard Rating: 9/10
‘Live at the Aragon’ is out now.
The album is also due to be released on limited edition vinyl for Record Store Day on 16th April.
Also for Record Store Day, Mastodon will be releasing an exclusive split single with ZZ Top, which will include a version of the legendary rockers’ classic ‘Just Got Paid’ by each band.
Mastodon will be performing live at Sonisphere 2011 in July.
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Although ‘Live at the Aragon’ does a pretty successful job of seizing Mastodon’s masterful performance outside a studio, don’t expect any onstage chitter-chatter or amusing group banter. This is very much a live album rather than just a recorded gig. From the moment you hear the introductory roar of the crowd as the band take to the stage for ‘Crack the Skye’ opener ‘Oblivion’, it’s instantly obvious to realise that this is an extremely well executed, heavy rock routine. 
