The songs on Call of the Mastodon originally appeared on Mastodon's first release, 9 Song Demo, with lead vocals by Eric Saner. After Saner left the band, the vocals were re-recorded by guitarist Brent Hinds and bassist Troy Sanders, and the updated songs appeared on the band's Slick Leg and LifesbloodEPs.[3] Several years later, the songs (with Hinds' and Sanders' vocals) were remixed and remastered by original engineer Matt Washburn, and released as Call of the Mastodon.[4]
In a documentary on the making of Crack the Skye, Hinds referred to Call of the Mastodon as the band's first studio album; this sentiment was later echoed by guitarist Bill Kelliher when he appeared on Loudwire's 'Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction'.[5]