Check out this epic Round 1 matchup between these Southern heavyweights to find the 21st Century's best metal album as part of March Metal Madness 2014. There must be something in the sweet tea and cornbread down in Georgia, because these two bands have become modern metal's most progressive and influential acts.

Although the 'Yellow & Green' album brought Baroness into a new genre and realm of success, 'Blue Record' is the piece that forced everyone to pay attention. As a dirty Southern sludge act, Baroness entrenched beauty within a swampy marsh in 'Blue Record,' perhaps displayed most profoundly in the fan favorite track 'A Horse Called Golgotha.'

Mastodon began crushing skulls in 2000 and haven't slowed down since. Containing the brilliantly interwoven guitar work of Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher, the monstrous drumming of Brann Dailor and the powerhouse known as Troy Sanders, Mastodon cranked out a modern classic with 'Leviathan.' Inspired by Herman Melville's epic novel 'Moby Dick,' 'Leviathan' went on to top many 2004 year-end lists and gave us perhaps the greatest riff of the 2000s with 'Blood and Thunder.'

Baroness' 'Blue Record' or Mastodon's 'Leviathan'? Vote for your favorite 21st century album in the poll below!

(This poll will end on Sunday, March 9 at 11:59 PM ET. Fans are able to vote once per hour, so keep coming back to make sure your favorite album wins!)

Headbanger Region Round 1
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