With 20-plus years and eight full-length albums to their name, Mastodon have staked their place as one of the most tenacious, consistent and ambitious metal bands on the planet right now. But since they've evolved through many sounds — from the sludgy rumble of their early days to the spacey, progressive excursions of more recent times — the Atlantan juggernaut can be a hard group to pin down, posing a particular challenge for newbie listeners.
Appearing recently as a guest on Loudwire Nights, drummer-vocalist Brann Dailor was asked what Mastodon song he thinks would serve as the best introductory track to his band. It was a tough choice, so much so that he ended up picking multiple cuts. See his suggestions, as transcribed by The PRP, below.
"That's kinda tough because I need to know the person's … there's circumstances involved here — what are you into? If they say Deicide, then I'm gonna say 'March of the Fire Ants.' If they say they're into the Backstreet Boys, I'd say, 'Show Yourself.' If they say they're into Metallica, I'd say almost any of our songs. Maybe listen to 'Eyes of Serpents' or something off of [Hushed and Grim] or 'Tear Drinker.'"
