Mastodon Making 'Crack the Skye': See Rare and Candid In-Studio Photos

Get an intimate view into the creation of the band's conceptual masterpiece

Crack the Skye is arguably the most narratively ambitious Mastodon album to date. If you don't remember, the 2009 opus features an astral-projecting paraplegic who travels through space and time, talking to spirits, burning umbilical cords, and hanging out with Russian occultists, all presented as an homage to drummer-vocalist-songwriter Brann Dailor's sister Skye, who committed suicide at age 14. "We wanted something that would stand the test of time and not be shelved after one or two listens," Dailor recalled in the behind-the-scenes video series released by the band last year in commemoration of the album's 10-year anniversary. Joining the Atlanta quartet as they embarked on this lofty endeavor was Revolver's own creative director Jimmy Hubbard, who documented the making of the LP in the studio, day in and day out, with the band. Below, see some of his standout shots — some rare and never-before-released — from the making of Crack the Skye.