Mastodon Reveal ‘Emperor of Sand’ Album Details, Release New ‘Sultan’s Curse’ Single
After teasing their upcoming seventh album with a short blast of new music and 360-degree artwork, Mastodon have unveiled the complete track listing and release date for the LP, titled Emperor of Sand — and released the first single, "Sultan's Curse."
Scheduled for a March 31 release and available to pre-order now, Emperor of Sand draws inspiration from trying times — as drummer Brann Dailor told Loudwire last year, "there's been some illness in the band's family" over the last several years.
"Emperor of Sand is like the grim reaper," Dailor explains in the album's press release. "Sand represents time. If you or anyone you know has ever received a terminal diagnosis, the first thought is about time. Invariably, you ask, 'How much time is left?'"
"We're reflecting on mortality," adds bassist and singer Troy Sanders. "The album ties into our entire discography. It's 17 years in the making, but it's also a direct reaction to the last two years. We tend to draw inspiration from very real things in our lives."
In addition to the usual CD and digital formats, Emperor of Sand will be available on double 180-gram gate-fold vinyl. Fans who purchase the deluxe pre-order package through the Mastodon website will also receive an instant download of "Sultan's Curse," a digital copy of the album, and a "Color-In-Your-Own vinyl jacket" for the LP, as well as an exclusive box of Mastodon colored pencils. Stream "Sultan's Curse" above, and look over the complete track listing and upcoming tour dates below.
Mastodon 'Emperor of Sand' Track Listing
"Sultan's Curse"
"Show Yourself"
"Precious Stones"
"Steambreather"
"Roots Remain"
"Word to the Wise"
"Ancient Kingdom"
"Clandestiny"
"Andromeda"
"Scorpion Breath"
"Jaguar God"
Mastodon 2017 Tour Dates
04/14 — Missoula, MT
04/15 — Seattle, WA
04/16 — Portland, OR
04/18 — San Francisco, CA
04/20 — Los Angeles, CA
04/21 — Phoenix, AZ
04/23 — Salt Lake City, UT
04/24 — Denver, CO
04/26 — Kansas City, KS
04/27 — St. Louis, MO
04/28 — Birmingham, AL
04/29 — Jacksonville, FL
04/30 — Ft. Myers, FL
05/02 — Washington, DC
05/03 — Toronto, ON
05/04 — Cleveland, OH
05/05 — Concord, NC
05/06 — Philadelphia, PA
05/08 — Boston, MA
05/09 — Portland, ME
05/11 — New York, NY
05/12 — Pittsburgh, PA
05/13 — Chicago, IL
05/14 — Cincinnati, OH
05/16 — Detroit, MI
05/17 — Nashville, TN
05/18 — Memphis, TN
05/19 — Dallas, TX
05/20 — Austin, TX
Masterpieces: The Very Best Albums From More Than 100 Classic Rock Acts