Mastodon’s Brann Dailor & Songs About the Devil

Mastodon

Over seven albums and 18 years, Mastodon has stretched the definition of metal. Co-founder, drummer and lyricist Brann Dailor recently joined Jim and Greg to look back over the band's career. The conversation ranges from forming in Atlanta to coping with personal tragedy through music. They also couldn't resist asking how the heck they wound up as wildlings on Game of Thrones. Plus, Jim and Greg share a few of their favorite songs about the devil.

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Mastodon

Mastodon

Based in Atlanta, Mastodon recently won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance and has sometimes been called (in what Jim thinks is a back-handed compliment) "a thinking person's metal band." This week, our hosts sit down with drummer Brann Dailor of Mastodon to talk about musical influences from Black Sabbath to Bowie, lyricwriting, and Game of Thrones. He also talked about the tragic events that brought the band closer together and shaped their musical projects, like watching family members battle cancer (Emperor of Sand) and his own sister's suicide in 1990 (Crack the Skye).

Songs About the Devil

Devil Songs

The tale of Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads in exchange for his prodigious guitar playing skills is one that dates back to the early 1900s. This inspired an entire new category of tracks: devil songs. Jim and Greg share a few of their favorite tracks that reference the character of "the devil."

*Note: Sound Opinions does not endorse the devil or any of his messages.

Jim

  • Loretta Lynn, "The Devil Gets His Dues"
  • Johnny Cash, "To Beat the Devil"

Greg

  • Gun, "Race With the Devil"
  • Gil Scott-Heron, "Me and the Devil"

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