Hinds left

Brent Hinds leaving Mastodon is a big deal. He had impressive vocals & lead guitars on many of the songs. In the mean time, Ben Eller, by virtue of his ability to master Mastodon songs at short notice, is currently filling the void.

Pic: Rolling Stone

New Bill?

Was watching a Mastodon clip a few days ago about their creative processes. Saw this interesting guitar, it just looks cool; Bill Kelliher double-cut LP type.

Dug a little deeper, it seems that the guitar had been teased online since May. OK so I was late but still good to know. 

Pics: Youtube / Guitarfxdepot

Leaving Gibson

This is Bill Kelliher. Bill is the guitar half of Mastodon. Bill used to play Gibson guitars.

This is Bill once more. He had since moved on with ESP guitars. The switch was rather bitter.

That's right folks, until recently, this episode was kept under wraps. Besides being news fodder (who wouldn't wanna read about a big name guitar thrashing by some frustrated metal dude, yes?), it's a reality check. When you are talking about custom shop dealings, it has to be deserving. If you cannot adhere to specific instructions by an endorser, then you just have to drop it. Your custom shop is simply one churning out custom jobs for your own interest, not that of the endorsers. 

According to Bill, Gibson couldn't even avoid doing a chambered body for his instrument. It seems that someone in there is bent on pushing their craftsmanship philosophy unto others even if it means offending them on a personal note. I believe that if there is an endorsement going on, the key to longevity is listening. Moving on to ESP, these people are wonderful listeners. Their foothold in the US market recently should give a wake up call to the other players in the industry. It's really upsetting to know a big name like Gibson couldn't get the fundamentals right when it comes to professional dealings. Gibson is not just a brand name, it's one of the benchmarks in guitar craftsmanship. It's sad to know that something is hinting at the manufacturer going askew.

Last 3

Alrighty! Time to talk music since music was the reason I picked up guitar. Here are my last 3 purchases:

1. Mastodon- Emperor of Sand. Lots of talk prior to its release. It was touted to contain some of the most moving moments since it was conceived during emotional & sombre episodes. Sadly, it's not on my like list. The initial single, Sultan's Curse, was rather misleading as it failed to represent the other numbers in this release. It's one of the truly metal tune penned here, the rest of which are bridled aggression, at best. Below expectations, definitely.
2. The Allan Holdsworth Collection- Eidolon. Bought this one on the day of his passing, unknowingly, that is. Still eerie come to think of it but this double discs release contain some of the master's best. Even the non-shred pieces were thought provoking & very otherworldly. One simply does not listen to Holdsworth & not get stirred in some ways. Worth every cent.
3. Come Together- Guitar Tribute to the Beatles. Finally, Beatles tunes without anyone singing- ha! I'm not the Fab 4 fan, never was. I'm intrigued by the song arrangements but would prefer an instrumental take with lots of individuality & this album is bulging with that content. Allan Holdsworth's Michelle & Zachary Breaux's Eleanor Rigby are my firm favourites. 

ESP 2017

This is a small update of what's to come from ESP. Two new signature models:

1. Sparrowhawk: The second signature model by Mastodon's Bill Kelliher. Visually, it's unappealing. A tinge of Firebird body outline there but what an undeserving headstock design.
2. Volsung: Debut signature model by Rancid's Lars Frederiksen, very Viper inspired.

I'm actually waiting for ESP to delete their E-II confusion & return the 'Standard' tag to their no frills Japanese series but that's not about to happen. In the mean time, the prices of ESPs continue to climb.

ESP Kelliher

In an initial press release announcing Mastodon's Bill Kelliher joining the ESP camp, only this LTD version is shown. The ESP version will be shown on Summer NAMM which is coming soon. This Eclipse spin-off is interesting because it's a slab design so no belly contour at the rear of the body & there are no model number at the 12th fret for the LTD version. We await further details.

Epidon

We know where Mastodon stands when it comes to all things heavy without wimping out on tone. We know where the Mastodon guitarists stand when it comes to getting what they want without selling out on quality. With all due respect, I'm not here to debase the Epiphone label. I'm here to express confusion as to why Brent Hinds chooses to Epiphone his tone while he's seen playing everything else on stage. Like Jeff Waters (Annihilator) before him, there is this peculiar embrace of Epiphone. It's a contemptuous statement to opine that some people are doing it for the money but let's not speculate. Mastodon is currently one of the biggest name in metaldom & the members can play anything they want in the world. 

PIC: epiphone.com 

Mastodon: Once More Round The Sun

The awesome foursome- Mastodon! Thusfar, everything they do turns out stellar. I can't name a bad album from these chaps, they are simply 100% into their music-making. 

Their latest release has this tinge of heaviness not quite available in their previous albums. What I respect about these guys is the fact that they stick to their roots & pen darn good songs with instrument emphasis. With many commercially successful bands, they tend to go easy on the instruments to let the typical layperson into their music- Metallica is treading that path. But 'commercial success' is the band's by-product, they never intended to embark on mass appeal madness. Over the years these chaps just won over an increasing number of fans. This one is another cracker. My current on-the-way-home music.

Mastodonized Jaguar

 

Troy Sanders of Mastodon has his signature Fender Jaguar bass seen here. Nice. But looking at the pickups there, it's not a strict Jaguar model as they are essentially P/J pickups. Hmm...

Mastodon: The Hunter

The Hunter is perhaps Mastodon's most accomplished released to date; a very focused, mathematically precise, anvil-heavy showcase. Hinds & Kelliher are at their mechanical best, it's rather evident the riffs were well thought of & executed. But I have always looked forward to a Mastodon release for the drumming- Brann Dailor... well he's the human drumming encyclopedia, to say the least.

I'm rather put off by the guitar tones here, thin & fizzy. It's calamitous that I have to pacify myself with any songs from Remission & Leviathan as a reminder that Hinds & Kelliher know their meat when it comes to tone, these days, it's about keeping up with the technical facility when it comes to production. Enough said, I'm not too into this release despite looking forward to its acquisition. I respect the musicianship, though.

The Hunter

Mastodon's forthcoming release: The Hunter, definitely on my to-get list.

Bird of Prey

This is Mastodon's Bill Kelliher with his current squeeze, Morgan Guitar Works' Bird of Prey model, basically a futuristic, custom made flying V guitar.

I'm always on the lookout for innovative features/ design in an electric guitar & the most intriguing highlight here is the BOP's tuners- they are Steinberger's locking units but set through the headstock face. This isn't quite fresh as Gibson's Firebird feature similar through-headstock tuners but they are from the rear. Unique, yes? But imagine having to tune while you have this guitar strapped-on...