"The Motherload" is a song by the American heavy metal band Mastodon, released as the third and final single from the band's sixth studio album, Once More 'Round the Sun (2014).
Music video The song's music video shows several women twerking in front of a group of men inter-cut with footage of the band performing the song. During the solo, the women start dancing in front of the band. Another woman enters and as she dances, psychedelic images appear, with the others cheering her on. They all begin dancing again as the song ends.
Controversy The video caused some controversy as it featured many women twerking. Dom Lawson of The Guardian criticized the video, calling it "blatant, idiotic and utterly pointless sexism."
Brann Dailor defended the video, saying it was meant to be a parody of "esoteric", "creepy" '90s rock and metal videos and the videos for Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda", Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" and Iggy Azalea's "Booty". The video was also meant as an homage to the band's hometown, Atlanta, which was one of the cities pivotal to early hip hop music. One of the dancers in the video, Jade, defended it, saying "it's not a satirical video, but rather one with an inclusive message."
The video received a positive response from publications such as The Huffington Post and The Independent.
Track listing Digital single
12" single
Chart positions Chart (2014) Peakposition US Main. Rock 24 MEX. Air 43
Personnel Troy Sanders – bass, lead vocals (refrain) Brent Hinds – lead guitar Brann Dailor – drums, lead vocals (verses and chorus) Bill Kelliher – rhythm guitar
References