The band was formed in 2000 by guitarists Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher, bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders, and drummer Brann Dailor, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mastodon released their debut extended play, Slick Leg in 2001, before signing with Relapse Records and releasing their second EP Lifesblood the same year, followed by the band's first studio album in 2002, Remission.

After a tour promoting the album, Mastodon released their second studio album, Leviathan, in August 2004.

[1] In February 2006, Mastodon released two records—first, a compilation of their first two EPs, titled Call of the Mastodon, and shortly after, the video album, The Workhorse Chronicles.

In the same year, Mastodon released their major label debut, Blood Mountain through Reprise Records,[1] peaking at number 32 on the Billboard 200 chart.