Mastodon performing at the Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton.

Mastodon is one of the new breed of metal bands from the US. They created waves in the metal community with the EP Lifesblood, released in 2001, just over a year after the band’s formation in 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The band appeals to fans of both hardcore and extreme metal, while combining elements of progressive music and beyond. Mastodon was first signed to Reptilian Records in 2000, shortly after recording their demo. Soon after this and the release of a little-known EP called “Slick Leg,” however, the band was signed to Relapse Records – the label on which Mastodon’s most critically acclaimed work was released: Lifesblood, an EP in 2001; Remission, the band’s first full length album in 2002 and Leviathan, in 2004. (A concept album based around Herman Melville’s classic book, Moby Dick. This album featured more art work of Paul Romano.)