Mastodon to record new album in January

Atlanta's Mastodon are currently writing material for their next album. The band has tentative plans to record the album in January with producer Matt Bayles (Botch, Isis) in Seattle (the group hopes to set up a short tour to coincide with their recording schedule, playing shows while en route to Seattle from Georgia). The new record will likely hit stores in May 2004 via Relapse Records and will be supported by a full North American tour, with a European tour to follow in June 2004.