Grammy-nominated metal posterchildren Mastodon are playing the opening slot for doom godfathers Neurosis in two shows at the Fort Greene Masonic Temple in Brooklyn. The concerts, scheduled for January 24 and 25, mark the first time that Neurosis have played in the New York area in four years. Perfect timing, since the band's riding high off their best album in a decade, 2007's Given to the Rising. For their part, Mastodon will test out new material from their upcoming album, set for release sometime during the summer of '08.

One can't help but see the billing as a heart-warming act of musical deference; in terms of press coverage and sales, Mastodon easily have the upper hand on Neurosis these days. But in terms of pervasive influence there's just no contest: Mastodon's just one of the bazillion important metal acts working today whose music has benefited mightily from Neurosis's droning tribal sludge. Opening will be two bands on the Neurosis-run Neurot Recordings label, US Christmas (on January 24) and A Storm of Light (January 25).