Seven albums, two decades, and one Grammy later, legendary progressive rock band Mastodon is releasing a compilation LP, Medium Rarities. Comprising of four original songs, five live songs, four instrumental songs, and three covers, Medium Rarities was released on September 11, 2020, by Reprise Records. 

“Fallen Torches,” the first song, opens with a massive drum fill that sets that heavy metal tone that Mastodon is known for. Clean vocals and shredding guitar riffs fill the tonally complex song along as it shifts and changes. The band said, “This classic Mastodon track was recorded in Atlanta in 2019, originally planned to be released in support of a European Tour, the track was delayed so the band could focus on the release of Stairway to Nick John, a tribute to their late, long time manager Nick John, with the proceeds going to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research in his honor. “Fallen Torches” is written by Mastodon and features guest vocals by longtime friend and collaborator Scott Kelly from the band Neurosis.”

The bands that Mastodon chose to cover range from the most iconic heavy metal band, Metallica, to indie rock artist Feist, and rock group The Flaming Lips. While the song choices are vastly different, they all have the same heavy progressive rock feel Mastodon songs gravitate toward. 

Along with the brand new tracks, Mastodon put three songs from recent television shows and movies. “White Walker” was released on Game of Thrones: Catch the Throne Vol. 2 to promote the fifth season of the show. “Cut You Up With A Linoleum Knife” was on Aqua Team Hunger Force and “Rufus Lives” was featured in the new film Bill & Ted Face The Music. 

As one of the biggest American progressive metal bands, Mastodon has changed things up with Medium Rarities; a unique release of original, instrumental, and cover songs. Mastodon is currently working hard on their highly anticipated ninth album since their GRAMMY Award-winning Emperor of Sand in 2017.

Track Listing:

1. Fallen Torches (Previously Unreleased)

2. A Commotion (cover - Feist)

3. Asleep in the Deep (Instrumental version)

4. Capillarian Crest (Live)

5. A Spoonful Weighs A Ton (cover - The Flaming Lips)

6. Toe To Toes (Instrumental version)

7. Circle of Cysquatch (Live)

8. Atlanta (Feat. Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers)

9. Jaguar God (Instrumental)

10. Cut You Up With A Linoleum Life (Aqua Teen Hunger Force)

11. Blood & Thunder (Live)

12. White Walker (Game of Thrones)

13. Halloween (Instrumental version)

14. Crystal Skull (Live)

15. Orion (cover - Metallica)

16. Iron Tusk (Live)