#mastodonmonday continues with 2008's Crack The Skye, the fourth album by Mastodon, which is simply monolithic. It embodies everything heavy metal should be, from the powerful driving rhythms, frantic yet highly intricate melodies, and strong vocal work. It's much more focused in thematic concept, delving more into the ethereal in their own way (a departure from their previous works centred around the classical mythic elements of fire, water, and earth respectively. As an aside, they've yet to release an album conceptualised around air, as they'd follow ups to date are neither elementally themed or conceptual in nature). It's a metal wonder over seven tracks, a full showcase of the band's vast soundscape and considerable talents. Get the Royal Edition if you can, featuring purely instrumental tracks that I've found are fantastic for gym work. Highlight tracks include Oblivion, The Czar (specifically the Usurper and Martyr sections) and the title track. Available on iTunes and Spotify. First time this year I've cracked the 1k calorie burn this year, as far as I recall. Earlier starts are beneficial, might see if I can make this a more regular thing. #gym #health #fitness #fit #beard #ink #tattoos #monday #twofortwo #cardio #comewithmeifyouwanttolift #irontherapy #metalmonday #mastodon #cracktheskye #2008 #oblivion #theczar #usurper #martyr #rock #metal #heavymetal #progressivemetal #itunes #spotify