Machine Head did it. Clutch did it. Cannibal Corpse did it. It's more common than you think.
Machine Head's biggest selling album in the States is still "The Burning Red;" Clutch's top-selling one in the States is their self-titled record, both of which came out in the '90s. Cannibal Corpse did get better with "Kill," you're right there, but wasn't a huge leap. You have a point, but there's a pretty big gap between ETID (500 a night at best?) and Mastodon (1000-1500ish on their own) and minor tweaks to their sound isn't just going to double their draw.
Machine Head did it. Clutch did it. Cannibal Corpse did it. It's more common than you think. Machine Head's biggest selling album in the States is still "The Burning Red;" Clutch's top-selling one in the States is their self-titled record, both of which came out in the '90s. Cannibal Corpse did get better with "Kill," you're right there, but wasn't a huge leap. You have a point, but there's a pretty big gap between ETID (500 a night at best?) and Mastodon (1000-1500ish on their own) and minor tweaks to their sound isn't just going to double their draw.