Song Review // 2020-08-27

Mastodon

Medium Rarities

Fallen Torches

---

Vocals

This song has 3 vocalists. The vocal parts are often shared in this band. They even brought Scott Kelly from Neurosis over to join in. I generally don't like when bands have more than one vocalist, but it has never been a problem for me when it comes to this band. I think it take a certain level of maturity and respect to accept that some parts are best done by a specific person. To be able to recognize this and create something that feels smooth with all the changes in vocalists is awesome! Well done!

Music

Mastodon is one of the very few bands that hasn't put out anything I don't like.

I like the pace the drums keep in this song! The atmosphere changes with the changes in dynamics throughout the song. The keyboard comes in stronger whenever the higher, more melodic singing (Brann) comes in. The guitar is more prominent with the harsher vocals (Troy). The music is more atmospheric and spread out during Scott's part. Nice!

Lyrics

The lyrics feel violent in a sense. After all, they are asking to bring the head of the foe, but with the vision of a path lit by fallen torches, it just feels more like a sci-fi story, or even fantasy. 

Spirits warn that danger's coming
It's coming closer now
Pathways lit by fallen torches
Burn your insides out

Find me the remedy
Searching the ends of the earth
Bring me the entity
Snuff out the light in his eyes
Eliminate, obliterate
The image in my sight
Bring me the head, bring me the head
Finish and erase