Topzle Topzle

Crack the Skye

Updated: 12/20/2025, 11:23:50 AM Wikipedia source

Crack the Skye is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Mastodon, released on March 24, 2009, through Reprise, Sire and Relapse Records. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, selling 41,000 copies in its first week. In Australia, the album debuted at number 19. It had sold 200,000 copies in the US as of September 2010, making it one of their highest-selling albums to date. According to an interview on the DVD The Making of Crack the Skye, the album represents the element of aether, which is represented by the souls and spirits of all things, a theme closely related to the context of the album. Because the elements of fire, water and earth have already been represented by the band's first three albums Remission, Leviathan, Blood Mountain and the band's seventh album Emperor of Sand, respectively, the element of air is the only classical element which has yet to be represented by a Mastodon album, as their follow-up studio albums The Hunter and Once More 'Round the Sun do not represent an element, nor are they concept albums. Crack the Skye is the first studio album to feature drummer Brann Dailor as the band's third lead vocalist.

Infobox

Released
March 24, 2009
Recorded
April–September 2008
Studio
Southern Tracks, Atlanta, Georgia
Genre
Progressive metal
Length
50:03
Label
RepriseSireRelapse
Producer
Brendan O'Brien

Tables

Professional ratings · Critical reception
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
Metacritic
Aggregate scores
82/100
Review scores
Review scores
Aggregate scores
Review scores
Source
Source
Aggregate scores
Source
Aggregate scores
Rating
AllMusic
AllMusic
Aggregate scores
AllMusic
Aggregate scores
AbsolutePunk
AbsolutePunk
Aggregate scores
AbsolutePunk
Aggregate scores
88%
The Guardian
The Guardian
Aggregate scores
The Guardian
Aggregate scores
MetalSucks
MetalSucks
Aggregate scores
MetalSucks
Aggregate scores
Paste
Paste
Aggregate scores
Paste
Aggregate scores
9.0/10
Pitchfork
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
Pitchfork
Aggregate scores
8.0/10
PopMatters
PopMatters
Aggregate scores
PopMatters
Aggregate scores
8/10
Rock Sound
Rock Sound
Aggregate scores
Rock Sound
Aggregate scores
10/10
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
Rolling Stone
Aggregate scores
Spin
Spin
Aggregate scores
Spin
Aggregate scores
Aggregate scores
Source
Rating
Metacritic
82/100
Review scores
Source
Rating
AllMusic
AbsolutePunk
88%
The Guardian
MetalSucks
Paste
9.0/10
Pitchfork
8.0/10
PopMatters
8/10
Rock Sound
10/10
Rolling Stone
Spin
· Charts
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Chart (2009)
Australian Albums (ARIA)
Peakposition
19
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Chart (2009)
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
Peakposition
42
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Chart (2009)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
Peakposition
26
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Chart (2009)
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
Peakposition
73
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2009)
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
Peakposition
13
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Chart (2009)
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
Peakposition
37
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Chart (2009)
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
Peakposition
56
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Chart (2009)
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
Peakposition
6
French Albums (SNEP)
French Albums (SNEP)
Chart (2009)
French Albums (SNEP)
Peakposition
106
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Chart (2009)
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
Peakposition
36
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Chart (2009)
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
Peakposition
38
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Chart (2009)
Irish Albums (IRMA)
Peakposition
37
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Chart (2009)
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
Peakposition
23
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Chart (2009)
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
Peakposition
6
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Chart (2009)
Scottish Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
27
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Chart (2009)
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
Peakposition
23
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Chart (2009)
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
Peakposition
58
UK Albums (OCC)
UK Albums (OCC)
Chart (2009)
UK Albums (OCC)
Peakposition
34
US Billboard 200
US Billboard 200
Chart (2009)
US Billboard 200
Peakposition
11
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2009)
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)
Peakposition
4
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2009)
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
Peakposition
3
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)
Chart (2009)
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)
Peakposition
4
US Top Tastemakers (Billboard)
US Top Tastemakers (Billboard)
Chart (2009)
US Top Tastemakers (Billboard)
Peakposition
1
Chart (2009)
Peakposition
Australian Albums (ARIA)
19
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)
42
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)
26
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)
73
Canadian Albums (Billboard)
13
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)
37
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)
56
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)
6
French Albums (SNEP)
106
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
36
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)
38
Irish Albums (IRMA)
37
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)
23
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)
6
Scottish Albums (OCC)
27
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)
23
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)
58
UK Albums (OCC)
34
US Billboard 200
11
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)
4
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)
3
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)
4
US Top Tastemakers (Billboard)
1
· Certifications
United Kingdom (BPI)
United Kingdom (BPI)
Region
United Kingdom (BPI)
Certification
Silver
Certified units/sales
60,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Region
Certification
Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)
Silver
60,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. "The PRP - Mind If We Jump On Your Bandwagon?"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20081219094344/http://theprp.com/releases.shtml
  2. Blabbermouth.net
    http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mastodon-in-the-studio-video-available/
  3. Blabbermouth.net
    http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mastodon-new-interview-performance-footage-available/
  4. Slant Magazine
    https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/mastodon-the-hunter
  5. iTunes Store
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140618002101/https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=302314700&s=143441
  6. iTunes Store
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140618002150/https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=305121454&s=143441
  7. Discogs
    https://www.discogs.com/Mastodon-Crack-The-Skye/release/1782856
  8. Discogs
    https://www.discogs.com/Mastodon-Crack-The-Skye/master/2938
  9. "Mastodon's 'Crack The Skye' Lands At No. 11 On Billboard Chart"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090404020104/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=117291
  10. "Aria Top 50 Albums Chart"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071106072214/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display.asp?chart=1G50
  11. "Week Ending Sept. 12, 2010: The Dulcet Tones Of Bruno Mars - Chart Watch"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20101229021027/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/66110/week-ending-sept-12-2010-the-dulcet-tones-of-bruno-mars/#comments
  12. Mastodon On New Album And Supporting Metallica and Slayer, The Quietus (November 4, 2008)
    http://www.thequietus.com/articles/00658-mastodon-reveal-details-of-new-album
  13. New York Daily News
    http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/mastodon-brings-mammoth-change-article-1.410204
  14. "Progress Report: Mastodon"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090323055942/http://stereogum.com/archives/progress-report/progress-report-mastodon_038461.html
  15. Metal Hall
    https://metalhall.blogspot.com/2009/01/dailor-talks-new-mastodon-album-and.html
  16. Billboard
    http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269316/update-mastodon-to-play-complete-skye-on-north-american-tour
  17. "Mastodon Talk Doomy, 'Timeless' New Album"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090215030729/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605029/20090212/mastodon.jhtml
  18. WorkHardened
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140725003307/http://www.workhardened.com/project/82/Mastodon/Crack%20the%20Skye%20Standard%20Ed.%20CD
  19. Metacritic
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121227114308/http://www.metacritic.com/music/crack-the-skye/mastodon
  20. "Crack the Skye - Mastodon: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards"
    https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1498638
  21. AbsolutePunk
    http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1014222
  22. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/15/mastodon-crack-the-skye
  23. MetalSucks
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090515212023/https://www.metalsucks.net/2009/05/11/mastodons-crack-the-skye-the-official-metalsucks-review/
  24. Paste
    http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/03/mastodon-crack-the-skye.html
  25. Pitchfork Media
    http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12872-crack-the-skye/
  26. PopMatters
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090325174829/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/71969-mastodon-crack-the-skye/
  27. Rock Sound
    http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/mastodon-crack-the-skye
  28. Rolling Stone
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090525062329/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/mastodon/albums/album/26654977/review/26749135/crack_the_skye
  29. Spin
    http://www.spin.com/reviews/mastodon-crack-skye-reprise
  30. Hilson, Keri. "Critics' Choice", The New York Times, March 22, 2009. Retrieved on 03/22/09.
    https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/arts/music/23choi.html
  31. "Best of 2009"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120414094529/http://www.sashafrerejones.com/2008/12/best_of_2009.html
  32. The New Yorker
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121015003615/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/notebook/2009/05/11/090511gonb_GOAT_notebook_frerejones
  33. Time
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091213004647/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1945379_1943810_1943816,00.html
  34. Spin
    http://www.spin.com/gallery/40-best-albums-2009?page=24#main
  35. The 25 Best Albums of 2009 Archived January 15, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Referenced July 31, 2010
    http://blog.rhapsody.com/2009/12/best-albums-of-2009.html
  36. www.rocklistmusic.co.uk
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160706192100/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/metal.htm#2009
  37. TeamRock
    http://teamrock.com/feature/2014-08-06/the-100-greatest-prog-albums-of-all-time-60-41
  38. www.metalstorm.net
    http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2009
  39. "MASTODON, HATESPHERE, ANUBIS GATE Honored at DANISH METAL AWARDS"
    https://blabbermouth.net/news/mastodon-hatesphere-anubis-gate-honored-at-danish-metal-awards
  40. Ultratop
    http://www.ultratop.be/en/showitem.asp?interpret=Mastodon&titel=Crack+The+Skye&cat=a
  41. Billboard
    https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2009-04-11
  42. "Offiziellecharts.de – Mastodon – Crack The Skye" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
    https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-107858
  43. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2009. 14. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
    https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista/2009/14
  44. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Mastodon". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
    http://www.irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Mastodon
  45. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
    https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20090329/40/
  46. "Mastodon Chart History (Billboard 200)"
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/mastodon/chart-history/tlp/
  47. "Mastodon Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)"
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/mastodon/chart-history/alt/
  48. "Mastodon Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)"
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/mastodon/chart-history/mtl/
  49. "Mastodon Chart History (Top Rock Albums)"
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/mastodon/chart-history/rck/
  50. "Mastodon Chart History (Top Tastmakers Albums)"
    https://www.billboard.com/artist/mastodon/chart-history/tas/
  51. "British album certifications – Mastodon – Crack the Skye"
    https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/17649-4332-2
Image
Source: —
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.