This past week had a lot of new releases, really bringing the previously-mentioned onslaught to a head. There were so many, in fact, that the other half of the stuff we chose to get will be covered next week. This week, though, we have some of the crème de la crème of the week – four excellent albums that bring another first to this show. In the middle of this goodness, we have another live review for you!
Reviews:
At The Gates – At War With Reality (Century Media)
Beyond Creation – Earthborn Evolution (Season of Mist)
Black Map – …And We Explode (Minus Head)
Unearth – Watchers of Rule (eOne)
Live Review:
Mastodon, Gojira, Kvelertak @ Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ on November 1, 2014
At The Gates – At War With Reality
Unearth – Watchers of Rule
Beyond Creation – Earthborn Evolution
Black Map – …And We Explode
The Sideshow Podcast 
Wow, that’s five 5s counting the concert review (I’m not sure if Brian gave the concert a rating, but Nick gave it a 5). And if you consider that Nero Di Marte wasn’t actually released until this week, that makes 5 albums released on October 28 that got a 5. And there’s still more chances for more 5s from October 28 releases if any of Devin Townsend, Abysmal Dawn, Dawnbringer, or Obituary (or anything else) gets reviewed.
Regarding Saturday’s concert:
-Nick, you can’t name any songs by Kvelertak? Not even the song named “Kvelertak” that they closed the set with Saturday night?
-My only complaint about Starland is the beer selection.
-It’s not true that Mastodon doesn’t play anything anymore from Remission and Leviathan. They played 4 songs from those 2 albums Saturday night. They played “Ol Nessie” from Remission. In addition to “Blood and Thunder” they played “Aqua Dementia” and “Megalodon” from Leviathan. Plus earlier this year when Brian and I saw them they played 5 songs from Remission and Leviathan, including opening the set with the 13 minute “Hearts Alive.”
-I could agree that drummer Bran Dailor is the most interesting member of Mastodon. He brings more to the table than just drumming, such as vocals and song writing.
-I also agree about the stage banter. I’ve seen Mastodon 3 times and there’s never been any stage banter.