In 2004, nu metal was dead and the scene craved something new. Nobody needed seven-string chugging in their lives anymore, giving rise to a generation of balls-out, screaming, technical metal bands like Killswitch Engage and Lamb Of God. It was the perfect context for Blood And Thunder to grab people by the balls.
Mastodon were still cult prospects when they recorded the third single of their second album, but the song quickly propelled them to heavy music’s top tier. With its immediate riffing, roaring yet catchy hook and disorienting music video, it became the Atlantans’ signature track. It also affirmed that what the world wanted from metal had completely changed. To this day, it closes every one of the band’s concerts, and the near-100-million streams it has on Spotify prove its enduring popularity.
