Mastodon Kick Off New Album Recording: 'It's Time to Do or Die!'
US metallers Mastodon gave an update on their new studio effort, announcing studio entrance and "do or die" attitude.
Chatting with Metal Hammer, guitarist Bill Kelliher confirmed over 20 songs as candidates for the record, along with a possibility of turning the album into a conceptual one. "I'm in Death Valley [California] and Thanksgiving is in two days, I fly back to Atlanta on Friday [November 29] and on Saturday or Sunday we start tracking," he kicked off.
"We've got 21 or 22 songs that are candidates for the new record though obviously we can't use all of those," Bill continued. "We'll have to strip a few off though they can be used elsewhere. I'm really not sure if there will be [a concept] or not. I know we had some ideas for a concept, but we've been so busy."
Commenting on the decision to hire Nick Raskulinecz (QOTSA, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Rush, Ghost, Deftones) as a producer, Kelliher noted that Nick's approach and vibe were just the thing Mastodon needed. "It's something that we totally need - a cheerleader to get our asses in gear," he explained. "There he is saying: 'Come on, you're Mastodon ... you're one of the biggest bands in metal ... smash that hammer down and write some heavy sh-t. It's time to do or die!' He's that kind of a guy."
Speaking of Thanksgiving, the band was recently criticized for their latest holiday t-shirts depicting a pilgrim pointing a gun at an Indian woman. The guys were quick to react, saying (via Facebook), "Whether you choose to believe or not, the American Indians were massacred by the white settlers who became the Americans we are today. This shirt represents this atrocity and celebrating in the face of this atrocity is chilling. We may have a sick sense of humor, but we are far from being 'racist' as some of you who might not get it are calling us."
But back to the new album update - Mastodon are in the studio! Are you excited or what? Share your thoughts in the comments.

