Mastodon Announce CRACK THE SKYE (15TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

Celebrating a landmark body of work, iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning heavy rock band Mastodon proudly presents Crack The Skye (15th Anniversary) editions out October 4, 2024. The group have carefully assembled the ultimate vision of their groundbreaking 2009 concept album, Crack The Skye. Boasting a bevy of exclusive and essential extras, it will be available in multiple configurations: 2LP & Blu-Ray Deluxe Box, 2CD & Blu-Ray Deluxe Box, 2LP Deluxe Vinyl, 2CD Deluxe, and Digital Deluxe.

Pre-order/Pre-save HERE

All configurations notably feature a newly remastered version of the original album on Disc 1, while Disc 2 houses Crack The Skye: The Score, which includes instrumentals of every track now available in physical format since its initial limited release in 2009. The deluxe limited editions feature brand-new artwork designed by the band's long-time collaborator, Paul Romano. Additionally, the vinyl and CD deluxe limited editions both have exclusive art.

The Blu-Ray showcases special Crack The Skye: 10TH Anniversary Animations, Crack The Skye: The Movie, and The Making of Crack The Skye. Pressed on either limited-edition Smoky Grey (only at the Mastodon D2C store) or Gold vinyl, the 2 LP & Blu-Ray Deluxe Box consists of Disc 1, Disc 2, and the Blu-Ray as well as a new 24x24 poster, 10x10 sheet with four individual custom designed magnets, and a 12-page 12x12 booklet. The 2CD & Blu-Ray Deluxe Box includes Disc 1, Disc 2, the Blu-Ray, a Mastodon Sheet of stamps, and a 24-page booklet. Then, there’s the 2LP Deluxe on Sky Blue Vinyl and 2CD Deluxe, each featuring Disc 1 and Disc 2. The Digital Deluxe will also arrive on DSPs, including Dolby ATMOS mastering of the studio album.

Check out the full tracklisting below.

Mastodon—Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor, Brent Hinds, and Bill Kelliher—initially unveiled Crack The Skye on March 24, 2009, and its influence has only expanded over the last 15 years. It marked the band’s first Top 15 debut on the Billboard 200 and concluded 2009 on a myriad of Year-End lists. Metal Hammer and Rock Sound both hailed it as “Album of the Year,” and Time placed the record in its Top 3. Christened “superb” by Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times went on to attest, “Mastodon has earned its place at the forefront of progressive metal with a mix of headiness and brawn…but the ambitious vision and vivid executive of ‘Crack The Skye’ don’t feel like a departure for the band.”

A high watermark of sonic unpredictability, Crack The Skye fascinates with its mind-blowing soundscapes, visionary storytelling, and elite riffing. The group stretched their sound to staggering heights by introducing the three-headed cosmic vocal interplay of Sanders, Dailor, and Hinds. Processing real-life tragedy, this living and breathing opus alternates between vignettes of astral projection, interdimensional conspiracy, and a glorious transformational apotheosis. The LP elevated Mastodon to another stratosphere altogether and left an indelible imprint on rock music in 21st-century rock in its wake.

Right now, Mastodon are celebrating yet another milestone. In honor of Leviathan’s 20th birthday, they’re performing the latter LP in its entirety on a nightly basis on the Ashes Of Leviathan Tour, co-headlined by Lamb of God. The remaining dates are below.

Mastodon's latest studio album, Hushed and Grim, a double LP recorded at the band's Atlanta studio, Ember City, was produced by David Bottrill (Tool, Rush, Muse, Peter Gabriel). This album, their most expansive song cycle to date, features 15 distinct tracks and achieved their third consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard Hard Rock Albums Chart. Hushed and Grim also earned them a GRAMMY® Award nomination for the track "Pushing The Tides." Additionally, the album's single "Teardrinker" secured a top 10 position on the Rock radio charts, a further testament to the band's widespread acclaim. Listen HERE.

Stay tuned for more soon.

Allow Mastodon to take you on a trip like no other with Crack The Skye (15TH Anniversary Edition).

The Ashes Of Leviathan Tour Routing:

Wed, Aug 21 Los Angeles, CA  The Kia Forum

Fri, Aug 23 Phoenix, AZ  Arizona Financial Theatre

Sat, Aug 24 Rio Rancho NM Rio Rancho Events Center

Sun, Aug 25 El Paso, TX  El Paso County Coliseum

Tue, Aug 27 Magna, UT  The Great Saltair  

Thu, Aug 29 Morrison, CO  Red Rocks Amphitheatre  

Sat, Aug 31 Omaha, NE  The Astro Amphitheater

**No Malevolence, Support from Kerry King & Unearth