BURBANK, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Warner Bros. Records) - Atlanta-based hard-rock iconoclasts MASTODON have just released their long-awaited fourth studio album, CRACK THE SKYE, on March 24th to a litany of impassioned reviews and critical accolades worldwide:
"Mastodon are a bunch of doom-haunted, myth-obsessed, meat-and-potatoes Southern badasses who have become the most important new band in metal...' Crack The Skye' is an awesome display...by bringing more strains into their ass-kicking collage metal, they've opened a whole new range of possibilities. Mastodon are the greatest metal band of their generation - no one else comes close." - Rolling Stone Magazine (4 Stars out of 5)
"Mastodon has earned its place at the forefront of progressive metal with a mix of headiness and brawn...but the ambitious vision and vivid execution of 'Crack The Skye' doesn't feel like a departure for this band. And if letting go means breaking through some kind of ceiling, Mastodon seems both wary and ready." -The New York Times
Upon release, CRACK THE SKYE entered the Billboard Top 200 Album charts at an impressive No 11 and scanned sales of 41,395 in its first week barely missing the Top 10 by a mere 62 units. Chart-watchers will be interested to note that a total of 12 debuts entered the Top 20 this week, which is more than ever before. This is quite a feat given the state of our current global economy and its relation to album sales.
MASTODON'S previous Reprise album, BLOOD MOUNTAIN, sold 24,000 copies in its first week and entered the Album charts at No. 32. Safe to say, the world is catching up with MASTODON showing a 72% increase with CRACK THE SKYE. At present, CRACK THE SKYE is also the No. 1 Current Hard Music Album Core Store (retail) Chart, No. 3 Top Hard Rock Digital Album and the No. 4 Top Internet Album overall.
On May 5th, MASTODON will release two versions of CRACK THE SKYE on vinyl. The first is a standard high-quality vinyl issue with beautiful full-size album artwork. There will also be a special Deluxe Edition mastered and pressed on two discs at 45 rpm for maximum audiophile fidelity housed in a gatefold sleeve available in a very limited edition, one-time-only pressing. This edition will also include the complete album on CD. All other limited-edition MASTODON CRACK THE SKYE artifacts have sold out instantly so don't delay.
In other MASTODON news, the band has just confirmed an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman that will air on Fri, May 15th at 11:30 PM on CBS. Check local listings for details.
More information to be revealed soon. Keep an eye on: www.mastodonrocks.com and www.cracktheskye.com for future announcements.
