Pix by Angie New Photography
Words by Matt New
It has been a monumentally busy year for live music in Australia. Many amazing world-class bands and artists have made the long journey down under to reconnect with their beloved Australian fans and give our industry the much-needed boost it deserves. The year has literally flown by, and as we approach December, we are excited for the upcoming summer music festivals that await. Good Things has now become the festival to kick everything off, and it is regarded for its diverse offering of musical acts that span across multiple genres. With so many bands on this bill, it comes as no surprise that many would jump at the chance to honour their fans with a more intimate experience than that of the festival. One of the more special sideshows on offer was Mastodon, who triumphantly returned to Australia after 6 long years.
Supporting Mastodon was Kerry King, founding guitarist of the Bay Area Thrash behemoths Slayer. He has not wasted any time since Slayer decided to call it a day back in 2019 by embarking on his own personal musical adventure. Given the influx of amazing new music that has been released in the past few years, I must be honest, I didn’t really get the chance to immerse myself in Kerry King’s solo material sooner. From the very first note of Where I Reign, I was instantly locked into a sense of familiarity with a sound that has been there for me for many decades. King is one of heavy metal’s finest riff masters, and his abrasive guitar tones and breakneck speed are undeniably defining. Not to mention, the man can shred like a demon when he sees fit.
His band is essentially a supergroup made up of some very familiar faces from the thrash metal and heavy metal scene. On drums, Slayer bandmate and metronomic legend Paul Bostaph, lead guitarist Phil Demmel from the mighty Machine Head, Marc Osegueda from Death Angel on lead vocals, and finally on bass, brother of Mastodon bassist Troy Sanders, Kyle Sanders from Hellyeah. So much awesome talent on one stage that was very hard to soak in at first, as you felt very much starstruck in every direction you looked on stage.
King’s set was intensely powerful, as he and his collective frantically raced through songs from his first solo release, From Hell I Rise. Songs like Two Fists, Rage and Idle Hands showcasing that he has not lost his brutal touch. As expected, you knew King would give his fans a selection of Slayer tracks, and the Roundhouse especially lifted a gear for Repentless and Raining Blood. With the band even performing the Iron Maiden classic Killers in tribute to the original Iron Maiden frontman, who sadly passed away back in October. Frontman Marc Osegueda was very animated and engaging, successfully revving the audience up for the band’s next track in the set, while remaining incredibly humble for the opportunity to share the experience with a very energetic Sydney audience. Oseguenda continually reminded the audience what show they were at, and that the security guards “looked bored”.
Kerry King and company were blistering and simply flawless throughout the entirety of their set. Their performance was a subtle reminder of the importance of thrash metal as one of the most influential and defining sub-genres in heavy metal history, and it is encouraging to see it remains relevant in the modern era. King’s music being proof that brutal metal doesn’t have to be tuned to the depths of hell or over-sampled to achieve maximum effect, just played at a scorching pace with unbridled savagery.
2024 marks a very significant milestone for Mastodon. Their second major release, Leviathan, is arguably the album that captured the attention of the mainstream heavy scene and solidified the Atlanta-based progressive metal outfit as a force to be reckoned with. Inspired by the iconic Herman Melville novel Moby Dick, Mastodon is known for their thought-provoking music and conceptualisation, carving out a unique place within the industry and in our hearts.
While there were no surprises in the setlist, as the band had committed to playing Leviathan from start to finish, the anticipation in the crowd before the opening riff of Blood and Thunder was palpable. This song, beloved for its technical prowess and intensity, had everyone in the vicinity screaming along in unison, “white whale, holy grail!” One of the most fascinating aspects of this band is the musical flexibility displayed by each member, reminiscent of classic progressive bands like Genesis and Pink Floyd, from whom they draw significant influence. This is a rarity in modern music, where lead vocalists often steal the spotlight from the ensemble.
Leviathan takes listeners on an epic journey through dark and intricate passages, with complex riffs and solos that challenge conventional music norms. Mastodon has crafted a sound uniquely their own, making them an inspiring band to see live. Troy Sanders, the bassist and primary vocalist, is a captivating performer despite being somewhat obscured by his long grey hair and beard. Brent Hinds, a uniquely talented guitarist, brings a southern flair to each shred of his solos. Bill Kelliher, the unassuming engine room of the band, delivers timeless riffs with vigour. And drummer Brann Dailor, the backbone of the ensemble, captivates with his precise and impossible fills.
Songs like Seabeast, Iron Tusk, and Megalodon elicited maximum crowd participation, and as the Leviathan experience concluded with Joseph Merrick, the audience was left wondering what more Mastodon had in store. Following their recent performance at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, the band surprised fans with a secondary set that massively differed from what they had previously played. This secondary set featured tracks from their extensive career, such as Crystal Skull, The Czar, and Motherpuncher. Drummer Brann Dailor’s lead vocal performances on songs like Steambreather further highlighted Mastodon’s uniqueness and talent.
While Mastodon delivered an amazing performance as expected, the sound quality was disappointing, with a muddy mix that made it difficult to hear the vocals clearly, particularly Brent’s parts. The Roundhouse venue posed challenges for live sound, but despite this, Mastodon’s show was exceptional. They are sure to be a highlight of the Good Things line-up this year, so don’t miss the opportunity to see their performance. With fond memories from their first tour to Australia for Leviathan, the emotions and energy at these remaining shows promise to be magical and unforgettable.
