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The Latest Breaking News from Mastodon

Mastodon recruit prog fusion virtuoso Nick Johnston as surprise new stand-in guitarist following Brent Hinds’ departure

The Canadian instrumentalist – known for his rock and fusion chops – has linked up with Bill Kelliher and co for the start of Mastodon's 2025 Infinite Arc tour

Guitar World

“Brent had an Iron Maiden jacket on so I went over to him to talk to him and he was like, ‘Hey you’re that crazy drummer dude’”: The chaotic birth of prog metal giants Mastodon

How Mastodon crawled from the Atlanta underground metal scene to become one of the most important bands of the 21st century

Metal Hammer

Reprieve for East London 'dive bar' popular with metalheads as council agrees to noise limits amid complaints

Blondies Brewery in Leyton will be allowed to stay open despite being challenged by neighbours over ‘unacceptably’ noisy gigs

Evening Standard

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Ever wanted to go to an incredible metal festival near the home of Dracula? Rockstadt Extreme Fest is about to change your life

From headliners Powerwolf, Electric Callboy, Gojira, Machine Head and Wardruna to the likes of Within Temptation, Mastodon, Sepultura and more, Rockstadt is the unique, exciting and affordable festival you've been looking for

Louder

System Of A Down’s Shavo Odadjian: “I never knocked out Brent Hinds”

System Of A Down’s bassist dispels the widely circulated story that he punched Mastodon’s ex-guitarist/vocalist after an awards ceremony in 2007

Metal Hammer

Slayer announce only North American headline show of 2025, with Knocked Loose and a host of thrash metal legends supporting

Slayer are coming to a venue near you, but only if that venue is Hersheypark Stadium in Pennsylvania

Metal Hammer

“She was looking at her pill bottles. I knew she was going to die so I was like, ‘Put it down. Live right now’”: Mastodon’s Bill Kelliher wrote songs for Emperor Of Sand at his mum’s deathbed

A cancer tragedy and other real-life dramas inspired Mastodon’s seventh album Emperor Of Sand, which they believe was 17 years in the making

Metal Hammer

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Brent Hinds plays first show since leaving Mastodon – and he has plenty more lined up

Since departing the metal giants after 25 years, Hinds has already taken to the stage with his “psychobilly surf” outfit – and three of his bands will play the same show in April

Guitar World

Mastodon add headline shows to their summer tour in the UK and Europe, but there's still no news on who's replacing Brent Hinds

Good news for European metal fans

Metal Hammer

“Bill, Troy and I were rocking it – I took a step back, only to clip my heel on a monitor wedge. I went ass-over-teakettle”: How Ben Eller went from Mastodon super-fan to filling in for Brent Hinds – and taking it all in his stride

Despite an embarrassing stage fall and frustrating in-ear monitor problems, the YouTuber had a blast alongside his buddy Bill Kelliher. But he can’t discuss what might happen next…

Guitar World

“We embrace the spirit of early 70s prog as being the way that you should always approach music." Mastodon and their prog epic Crack The Skye

In 2009 US prog metallers Mastodon released their conceptual opus Crack The Skye. It proved to be the step up to the big time the band deserved...

Metal Hammer

“My lead skills are decent enough – but whoever we get is going to be light years ahead of me”: Brent Hinds’ exit left Mastodon at a crossroads. But for Bill Kelliher, it’s an opportunity for a fresh start with a new guitar wingman

After 25 years, the metal heroes are without a lead guitarist. In his first interview since the split, Kelliher reveals what went down – and what he’s looking for from a new six-string partner in crime

Guitar World

“I went into this looking at it as one of the coolest things I could ever be part of, but knowing the backlash could be brutal”: Ben Eller was wary of the reaction he’d get for stepping in for Brent Hinds in Mastodon – but that didn’t stop him saying yes

The Youtuber and Mastodon mega-fan stepped in at the last minute for the band’s Tool Live in the Sand set, even if it risked dividing the fanbase

Guitar World

“I’m as serious as a heart attack”: Mastodon are looking for their next guitar player – and they have a very specific list of requirements

Longtime guitarist Brent Hinds left the sludge/prog metal favourites earlier this month

Metal Hammer

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Guitar World

“I’m as serious as a heart attack with Mastodon. I’m not ready to give it up yet. So, we’re going to keep looking”: Bill Kelliher is searching far and wide for Mastodon's next guitarist – here's what the band are looking for

Esteemed YouTuber and Mastodon mega-fan Ben Eller was drafted in last minute following Brent Hinds' surprise exit, but the search for a permanent successor is far from over

MusicRadar

“Playing the parts of one of my favorite guitarists ever is no easy task, but it was a joy”: YouTuber Ben Eller thanks fans and his Mastodon bandmates after stepping in to replace the departed Brent Hinds at the last minute

Will it turn into a full-time gig, though?

Metal Hammer

Mastodon’s Bill Kelliher explains Brent Hinds exit: “Like a marriage, sometimes people grow apart, and they get interested in other things”

Hinds parted ways with the pioneering progressive/sludge metal act last week, ending his 25 years of service

Guitar World

“It’s amazing that we made it 25 years with the four of us”: Bill Kelliher opens up on Brent Hinds’ surprise Mastodon departure

News of Hinds’ shock exit was shared just days before the band’s set at the Tool in the Sand festival

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MusicRadar

“Can you learn 17 Mastodon songs immediately? Please give some love, stage right, say hello to Mr Ben Eller”: YouTuber makes Mastodon live debut following Brent Hinds’ shock exit – but what’s next for the prog-metal behemoths?

Hinds is out. Eller is in for now. Brann Dailor has a black eye. Palace intrigue notwithstanding, “all 2025 touring plans will remain intact,” says the band

Guitar World

“Can you learn 17 Mastodon songs immediately?” Mastodon recruit YouTuber for first show following Brent Hinds’ shock departure

The band mutually parted ways with their founding guitarist just days before they were due to play at the Tool in the Sand festival – and it seems the YouTuber wasn’t given much time to learn the material

MusicRadar

“White whale! Holy Grail!”: How the epic tale of Moby-Dick inspired Mastodon’s greatest album

“The story paralleled the lives of the four dudes in Mastodon"

Guitar World

“We’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we’ve shared, and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors”: Mastodon part ways with Brent Hinds

Hinds co-founded the band with guitarist Bill Kelliher, bassist Troy Sanders, and drummer Brann Dailor in 2000

Metal Hammer

"After 25 monumental years together, Mastodon and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways." Mastodon announce shock departure of guitarist Brent Hinds

By mutual consent, Brent Hinds leaves Mastodon

Metal Hammer

Slayer announce two monster UK shows with Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Mastodon and more

The thrashers have scheduled headliners in Cardiff and London around their appearance at Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning event in July

Guitar World

“Exactly the kind of thing the Instagram algorithm won’t be injecting into your eyeballs every time you log on”: February 2025 Guitar World Editors’ Picks

A round-up of the best new guitar releases from the month of Feb, with new cuts from Sam Fender, Tash Sultana, Los Pirañas, and... Buddy Guy and Switchfoot?

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