Neurosis frontman Scott Kelly has appeared on literally every single Mastodon LP since Leviathan, and this upcoming LP is no different. At the time he was quoted, Kelly said he'd heard about two thirds of the whole record, and uses words and phrases like "fucking good," "aggressive," and "little bit rawer."
Here's exactly what Kelly had to say via That's Not Metal.
Yeah, I just got it this morning. It’s fucking good, it’s really good. I have not listened to the whole thing completely yet—I’ve gotten through about 2/3rd’s of it. It’s aggressive. It’s the same guy who produced Crack The Skye but I haven’t… the production is a little bit… It’s not quite as shimmery as that is, it’s little bit rawer—which I like. Although I really though Crack The Skye, that was kind of the one that I really hold up as the pinnacle for them in my mind. I need to digest it, it’s a great album.
Kelly also elaborates on why exactly he's been on every Mastodon record except Remission, and it's basically because he's been buds with guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor since way before Mastodon was even a thing.
We’re just really good friends, you know, honestly. I’ve been friends with Bill and Brann for 20 years. I’ve been friends with Brent for… shit, since the 80’s. I knew Brent like when Neurosis was very first touring in the states. So probably like ’87 or ’88 was when I first met him. I met Troy when Mastodon started. They’re just good salt of the earth guys, we get along really well.
I’m always honored to be able to be a part of what they are doing. Because it really means something to them. They always say ‘hey man I think we got a spot for you, we found a part’, you know? And it means a lot to me to be able to share even a little bit in their legacy, ’cause their legacy is really strong.
Mastodon's newest is due out this spring sometime.