Mastodon’s latest, Crack the Skye, is not only their best album to date but the best chunk of metal released this year (see Blender’s four-star rating in our April issue). There’s a ball-stomping quality to the prog-tinged, brutally melodic dual vocals and psychedelic chicken pickin’ that might make sensitive types simultaneously cry and beg for more. There’s also more going on sonically and lyrically than even the combined members of Rush, Yes and King Diamond could figure out in a single spin. (Tip of the iceberg: Skye was the name of drummer Brann Dailor’s sister who died when they were kids.) So, sure. Listen to the just-posted stream of the record on the Atlanta foursome’s MySpace page, then circle back for Blender’s exclusive interview with bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, drummer/vocalist Dailor and guitarist Bill Kelliher. They shed light on the story of the record—having tacked water themes in 2004’s Leviathan and land themes in 2006’s Blood Mountain, they stick to air and space with this one. Plus they talk about their Star Wars and Stephen Hawking fascinations that informed the tracks, singer/guitarist Brent Hinds’ (and the band’s) near-death experience in Vegas and even their idea of a dream date. It’s your best hope of figuring out the epic album before it hits stores March 24. If you’re like us, you might think Mastodon’s latest tale would make for one hell of a comic book (hint, hint).