A Great Set That Needed a Better Bill
Mastodon is one of those bands I always want to see live when they come back around, and Saturday night at the Hollywood Palladium was my first time seeing them as a five-piece. Brent Hinds left the band, then passed away, and Mastodon came back with a new record, Marrow Deep, and a new lineup. The Palladium was sold out, wall to wall. They can easily play bigger venues, chose a more intimate room, and still filled the whole thing. Much appreciated.
I’ll admit the bill outside of Mastodon was a little weak. I missed the first opener, Alcest. I’ve heard they’re great, but I couldn’t make it in time, so I’ll catch them another time. Deafheaven has a fairly loyal following and sounded great live, but for whatever reason, I just can’t get into them. I don’t want to knock the night for that. I just wish Mastodon had toured with a band closer to their style. A few years ago they co-headlined with Gojira, and that was a great fit. Honestly? Baroness should have opened this one, and you’ll see why.
Mastodon’s set was blistering. They sound incredible live and truly have a new energy. With Nick Johnston now in Brent’s guitar spot next to Bill Kelliher, the five of them sounded locked in. Black Tongue hit hard, and Megalodon blew the roof off: heavy double bass, fast riffing, then a pause in the middle so the crowd could start a pit before they jumped right back into it. Your Ghost Again, Steambreather and Snakes for Dinner were all highlights too.
This was also my first time seeing them with a keyboard player. João Nogueira is a full-blown member now. Troy Sanders called out “all five of us” from the stage, and all five signatures are on the poster I grabbed at the show. He added interesting atmospherics to songs that never had keys, was prominently featured on the new stuff, and even got a mid-set keyboard solo that set the tone. Mastodon is a big-sounding band, and going in a familiar yet slightly different direction with keys was the right call. He’s a great add.
Brann Dailor is a phenomenal drummer, no secret there. He’s got a picture of his dog on the bass drum, he’s pretty lighthearted, and for a kit that isn’t that massive, he plays the shit out of it. He also has a really amazing voice. Steambreather was a standout, and so was Oblivion, one of my favorite Mastodon songs of all time. Brann and Troy, who now handles a big chunk of the singing, sounded great together, with João tying in on Brann’s parts.
One thing was strange, and I expected it. Midway through, Troy said he was grateful to everyone for being there after what he called a bit of turmoil in the band. That was it. No mention of Brent by name, not even around Your Ghost Again, which was written as a tribute to him. Even though he’d left before his untimely passing, a tribute would have been a nice touch.
The surprise that wasn’t super well kept: John Baizley came out during Snakes for Dinner and played seven songs on guitar, almost a sixth member. He sang a lot of what would have been Brent’s parts on Curl of the Burl, Oblivion, The Czar and Blood and Thunder, and he sounds great with Mastodon. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss Brent’s voice. It had such a unique, almost Ozzy Osbourne sounding vibe. Baizley is an amazing singer with his own style. He’s just not Brent. Maybe that was intentional.
I really did enjoy the show, even if I wish the bill had been stronger. They had great merch, and if you have a chance to see them on this tour, definitely do it. I’m sure they’ll be back. I had a good time.
Score: 7.5/10
Setlist:
- Barbarians Blood
- March of the Fire Ants
- Crystal Skull
- Black Tongue
- Megalodon
- In the Ruins
- Your Ghost Again
- More Than I Could Chew
- Mother Puncher
- Steambreather
- Poisonous Weapons
- Snakes for Dinner (John Baizley joins for the final 30 seconds)
- Curl of the Burl (with John Baizley)
- Oblivion (with John Baizley)
- The Czar (with John Baizley)
- Sultan’s Curse (with John Baizley)
- Colony of Birchmen (with John Baizley)
- Blood and Thunder (with John Baizley)
Intro tape: Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne). Setlist via setlist.fm.
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