The title track, and track 6, of Mastodon’s fourth album “Crack the Skye”.
Lead vocals are by Scott Kelly of Neurosis, who has sung on every Mastodon album since Leviathan.
Although following the album’s theme about “Czarist (sic) Russia”, the song was written in part as a homage to Brann Dailor’s...
[Verse 1: Scott Kelly]
Blessed visionary cut me with your sun
The rivers ran in blood
Spark fueled to fire
[Chorus 1: Brann Dailor and Troy Sanders]
Deep within this endless void
Searching for a sign
[Verse 2: Kelly]
The vessel forged inside of me
Watches over
Like the death of the moon
[Chorus 2: Dailor and Sanders]
Strike the shepherd, sheep will scatter
Mountains of despair
[Hook: Troy Sanders]
I can see the pain
It's written all over your face
[Verse 3: Kelly]
The screaming arrows tear through my soul
In the dawn your face is haunting
White ghostly dreams of old
[Chorus 3: Dailor and Sanders]
Weight of world is on your shoulder
Hear the voice of gold
[Hook: Sanders]
I can see the pain
It's written all over your face
[Instrumental Break]
[Bridge]
Violent soul under my control
Violent soul takes its final toll
Violent soul under my control
Violent soul takes its final toll
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus 4: Dailor and Sanders]
Desperate heathens flock to sirens
Guard your heartache well
[Verse 4: Kelly]
Momma don't let them take her
Don't let them take her down
At least alone
[Chorus 5: Dailor and Sanders]
Please tell Lucifer he can't have this one
Her spirit's too strong
[Outro: Sanders]
I can see the pain
It's written all over your face
I can see the pain
You can make it all go away
Crack the Skye was written by Brent Hinds & Bill Kelliher & Troy Sanders & Brann Dailor & Scott Kelly.
Crack the Skye was produced by Brendan O’Brien.
Mastodon released Crack the Skye on Tue Mar 24 2009.