Songfacts®:

• This is the title track of American Heavy Metal band Mastodon's fifth studio album. The album was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo, who has worked on hit songs for an assortment of artists ranging from Dr. Dre to Fiona Apple. It is Mastodon's second non-concept album, the first being Remission.
• The album was titled The Hunter in honor of guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds' brother, Brad, who unexpectedly passed away while hunting in December 2010. Mastodon actually had two working titles for the album in honor of Brad: "The Hunter" or "Brother."
• This minimal and emotionally charged track is one of two songs on The Hunter reflecting on personal tragedies the band went through during the recording of the album, the other one being "The Sparrow."
• Drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor told Kerrang!: "This is a very personal song for Brent. It's about his brother Brad, who passed in December. It's some heavy s--t. We weren't sure if Brent would want to write about it as it was pretty fresh. But I think he had to. I remember Brent's aunt pulled me aside at the funeral and said, 'It's going to be a hell of a song.' Brent and Troy (Sanders, bass) sing on it and it sounds awesome. I think they did a great job."
• Speaking to Spin magazine, Hinds said of the song's sonic vibe, "It sounds like Zeppelin with these smooth buttery vocals and a huge Jimmy Page-style guitar solo. Me and Brann play off each other also in this sort of proggy way."