Mastodon Takes Music To The High Road In Pomona

By Jason Williams

October 17th 2014, Fox Theater, Pomona CA: Deja Vu: The feeling that one has seen or heard something before. Earlier this Spring, ever-rising barrier-breaking progressive metal band Mastodon came to the States, bringing along France’s best-kept war secret Gojira and Norway’s black metal/rock outfit Kvelertak. Six months later, the same lineup would come back to North America, the only difference being Mastodon having just released their astounding new album ‘Once More ‘Round the Sun’. Considering how fantastic the show I attended in Las Vegas at the House of Blues in May was, I was soundly sure tonight would be no different. Give or take a couple of hundred miles, tonight’s affair would take place at the Fox Theater in Pomona, California. With the buzz enormous for this show, as a line rounded out the venue before doors opened, metal would be heavily represented on this fine Friday evening.

Doors opened at 6:30 to a massive crowd, entering and eager for some engaging, extreme, live music. Time seemed to roll on by as right on cue at 7:30, Kvelertak blasted onto the stage. As earlier this year, “Åpenbaring” off their Meir record started off the evening, with the opening riff ever so hypnotizing. Their blend of black metal and fun-filled rock ‘n roll translates live quite well, and tonight was to be no different. I’m always curious to see how this band is perceived by mainstream fans who maybe aren’t used to this level of music. I saw no qualms tonight, as was the same in Vegas. What works for Kvelertak so well live, I believe, is they wear their rock influences on their sleeves while showing their black metal roots as well, neither style standing out too far from the other, thus bringing in the crowd. Vocalist Erlend Hjelvik gave it his all as usual, feeding off the energy of this packed venue. Each and every time it always gets me, but seeing guitarist Bjarte Lund Rolland play such an intricate riffing and lead style with no pick deserves major applause.  This was to be the third time I have seen Kvelertak in the past year, and while they’ve been nothing short of a fantastic live band, I hope that a new album is in the works for them. A headlining tour in the States is absolutely due for them, and with their opening slots on popular tours and being a great live act to begin with, Kvelertak would benefit from this immensely. Norway has given the world quite the unique and tasty treat, and its name, is Kvelertak.

The wait between Kvelertak and Gojira seemed to be an eternity, as gigantic chants of “Gojira” waned throughout the venue. Thankfully, the PA was playing songs off of Below the Lights and Human, from Enslaved and Death, respectively. Cannot complain about a venue playing proper music in between sets. Finally at 8:45, Gojira stormed the stage, “Explosia” opening their 45-minute set right for the occassion. Moments in, the mosh pit was crushing and the crowd screaming throughout, the usual for a Gojira performance. While their sound was rather lacking in volume at the Vegas gig, tonight was a massive improvement. The guitars were powerful, deafening and absolutely crystal clear. Leadman Joe Duplantier was angry, singing his lungs out and making the guitar completely his own.  The crowd sang along to the lyrics and even the riffs, something Duplantier was having a blast witnessing, thanking the crowd immensely for this show. No Gojira show is ever complete without their live and prolific staple, “The Heaviest Matter in the Universe”, bringing the crowd to an everlasting level of joy and intensity. Hearing “Love”, a rather deep cut from their debut album Terra Incognita, was welcomed and also reminded me how much Gojira has changed their sound to the refined, brilliant way it has become. Right after their closure “Vacuity”, with the crowd cheering and demanding another song, Duplantier announced that they’ll be working on their new album soon and will be back to present it here. Although the absence of “Flying Whales” was a minor bummer, and that the Vegas show started with four From Mars to Sirius songs consecutively, this writer’s favorite record of theirs, Gojira’s sound was far better tonight and made the songs more enjoyable as a result. With the level of energy and groovy brutality they’ve shown time and time again, Gojira absolutely cannot be missed in any capacity.

Set List:
01. Explosia
02. The Axe
03. The Heaviest Matter in the Universe
04. Backbone
05. Love
06. L’Enfant Sauvage
07. Toxic Garbage Island
08. Vacuity

At 9:45, Mastodon took over the Fox Theater to play for this passionate, vibrant crowd. “Tread Lightly” started off their 90-minute show, to the audience singing all of the words while catching each other in the pit. I’m glad to see the crowd already engaging their new record, because quite frankly, it’s excellent. And no one seemed to mind that 8 songs off of the new record were played tonight. The songs off the album were meant to be played live, with “The Motherload”, music video controversy or not, and “High Road”, sung along with wild headbanging and movement throughout the venue. One more aspect about Once More ‘Round the Sun that translates live especially, is the improvement in singing. Although no slouches, I felt they took it to a newer level on the record. Bassist and one of just many vocalists in the group, Troy Sanders was the main singer tonight, and I still feel he’s the best one of Mastodon. More often than not, drummer Brann Dailor beat down his drumkit while harmonizing with Sanders. Credit is always a must to give for any drummer to lay down vocals at the same time. Lead guitarist Brent Hines flashed off his violent and transcending leads, and I also noticed his singing was more passionate and slightly clearer than the Vegas show. Crack the Skye’s “Oblivion” was met with high approval from the crowd, and it’s always pleasing to see a band play their somewhat earlier work. Following that, they pulled out “Ol’e Nessie” from their 2002 debut Remission, shocking the crowd and was met with one of the largest reactions of the night. I say with large approval, that Mastodon should not play large outdoors venues, as the Mastodon I saw in 2013 at the Mayhem Fest does not even come close to the Vegas show and this particular gig. Their sound fits much more in an indoor venue, to the point where I consider that the 2013 performance sounded like another band. “Aunt Lisa”, my favorite from the new record, was a pleasure to hear. The intense opening riff reminded me of their Blood Mountain album. Much like the Vegas gig, the band didn’t interact with the crowd in between most of the songs, but it was by no means disrespectful and it made the songs flow much more as well. The last two songs “Crystal Skull” and fan favorite “Blood and Thunder” closed their set, leaving the crowd wanting even more. Brann Dailor came up to the main mic and thanked the crowd for coming out. He also dedicated the outro of “Pendelous Skin” to the late Isaiah “Ikey” Owens, who contributed synthesizers to “Asleep in the Deep” off the new record.

Mastodon was even better this time around, with the vocal harmonies ever improving and their setlist choices wonderfully successful for the live setting. With Once More ‘Round the Sun gaining serious momentum for a band already high on it, Mastodon show no signs of slowing down, and I welcome the new found passion of their unique and intense craft.

Set List:
01. Tread Lightly
02. Once More ’Round the Sun
03. Blasteroid
04. Oblivion
05. The Motherload
06. Chimes at Midnight
07. High Road
08. Aqua Dementia
09. Ol’e Nessie
10. Halloween
11. Aunt Lisa
12. Divinations
13. Bladecatcher
14. Black Tongue
15. Ember City
16. Megalodon
17. Crystal Skull
18. Blood and Thunder

Remaining tour dates:
10/20 – Austin, TX – Stubbs Amphitheater
10/21 – Dallas, TX – South Side Music Hall
10/22 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
10/23 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
10/24 – Detroit, MI – Fillmore
10/25 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s
10/28 – Portland, ME – State Theater
10/29 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis
10/30 – Providence, RI – Lupos
10/31 – Long Island, NY – Paramount Theater
11/01 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland
11/02 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman
11/04 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live
11/05 – Knoxville, TN – The International
11/06 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
11/07 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
11/08 – Orlando, FL – Kinkfest

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