Mastodon (band) band for personal reasons after just a couple of months. After recording a four-song demo and a 7-inch picture disc through Reptilian Records, Mastodon landed a record deal with Relapse Records in 2001. Mastodon released the EP "Lifesblood" in 2001, and its first full-length album, "Remission", in 2002, with the singles "March of the Fire Ants" and "Crusher/Destroyer" (which was also featured on "Tony Hawk's Underground"). On each of Mastodon's first three full-length albums the last track was an instrumental composition with a title that related to the Elephant Man. The band's second full-length album, "Leviathan", was released in 2004.
The Hunter (Mastodon album) it a 9 out of 10 score. In his review, Munson summarized his thoughts by stating "It’s safe to say that The Hunter can be chalked up as another great step for Mastodon. They’ve once again stepped over whatever boundaries they feel like, and have ended up for the better." Toby Gwynne of The Quietus praised the record as a significant progression for the group: "Each of Mastodon's previous four releases exist in their own worlds, and have their own specific characteristics – the genius here is that they've managed to pull in all that made those LP's what they