Mastodon - Leviathan (2004)

I really can't add anything more to what has been said about this, by now, classic album other than this is the album that got me into sludge metal with its punishing riffs/vocals and headwhirling technicality. As much as I enjoy Remission, Leviathan is a quantum leap over that album in terms of the band honing in their songwriting abilities. "Blood and Thunder" put the band on the map, but this is a very dense record that is almost a concept album. Truly a hallmark of modern metal.
9.5/10