About Mastodon

Mastodon formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000 as an American heavy metal band. Troy Sanders, Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher, and Brann Dailor make up the unchanged lineup since 2001. They have created eight studio albums and other releases, starting with their critically acclaimed 2002 debut album, Remission. Their second album, Leviathan, received “Album of the Year” awards from three magazines in 2004 and is a concept album based on Moby-Dick.

Mastodon recorded their fifth studio album, “The Hunter,” at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. In January 2011, the band gave the first hints of the new album through Facebook. Drummer Brann Dailor revealed the album’s title during interviews and described the new material as riff-oriented and stripped down.

While the album was being recorded, Mastodon performed at several major summer festivals. On June 28, 2011, they released a leftover track from the “Crack the Skye” sessions called “Deathbound” through Adultswim.com.

In July 2011, Mastodon gave fans a taste of “The Hunter” by releasing the song “Black Tongue” on YouTube. Additionally, the video was of AJ Fosik creating the sculpture used for the album cover. In August, the band revealed the track listing from “The Hunter” and debuted “Curl of the Burl.” Mike Elizondo was chosen to produce the album, marking his first time working with the band. The deluxe edition of the album featured two bonus tracks, “The Ruiner” and “Deathbound;” however, it had a different cover.

In 2017, Mastodon’s seventh album, Emperor of Sand, became their most commercially successful release. The hit tune “Show Yourself” peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart. Moreover, “Sultan’s Curse” earned them their first Grammy award.

In 2020, they released a new song called “Fallen Torches” and announced a compilation album, Medium Rarities. In the following year, Mastodon announced a partnership with Dreamstage for a live acoustic set for charity. Their eighth studio album, Hushed and Grim, produced by David Bottrill, was released on October 29, 2021.

About The Dillinger Escape Plan

In 1997, Ben Weinman, Adam Doll, Dimitri Minakakis, and Chris Pennie formed The Dillinger Escape Plan in Morris Plains, New Jersey as an American metalcore band. Their sound became known for odd time signatures, polyrhythms, and unconventional drum patterns. Additionally, later albums incorporated more melody and influences from various genres.

The band underwent numerous lineup changes, with Weinman being the only founding member remaining by the time they dissolved. The final lineup included long-time members Liam Wilson on bass, Greg Puciato as lead vocalist, Billy Rymer on drums, and newcomer Kevin Antreassian as rhythm guitarist.

The Dillinger Escape Plan achieved critical success by releasing six studio albums, starting with their landmark Calculating Infinity (1999) in hardcore punk and heavy metal music. Moreover, this album has sold over 100,000 copies and made them the highest-selling artist on Relapse at the time. They won nominations from the PLUG Independent Music Awards, Kerrang!, Revolver, and Metal Hammer. In addition, in 2017, they won an AIM Award for “Outstanding Contribution to Music”. Prior to their final album, Dissociation, The Dillinger Escape Plan announced their disbandment after the end of the album’s touring cycle in 2016.