The stunning departure of vocalist/guitarist Brent Hinds from Mastodon last week continues to reverberate throughout the metal scene. Last Friday, March 07th, the Atlanta, GA-based progressive sludge metallers announced Hinds was out of the band following a 25 year run together. Hinds himself has yet to address the matter publicly, but judging by posts he’s been resharing via social media, that split doesn’t seem to have been amicable.
This past Sunday the band took their initial steps forward in moving on, hitting the stage at the first-ever ‘Tool Live In The Sand‘ with YouTuber/musician Ben Eller in place of Hinds. Eller is an accomplished guitarist who likely found himself on the band’s radar for his viral ‘Stuff Mastodon Does’ video.
Now the band’s guitarist Bill Kelliher has given his first interview since the split with Hinds took place. Speaking with Guitar World, Kelliher shared:
“What can you say about the legacy of Mastodon’s first 25 years with Brent? It’s been a fun, wild fucking ride, that’s for sure. We achieved a lot of things that I never in a million years would have imagined. There’s been Grammys, touring with our heroes, like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Motorhead, and Tool. I cherish all of that.
Like a marriage, sometimes people grow apart, and they get interested in other things. We wish nothing but the best for Brent in chasing his dreams. You know, it’s amazing that we made it 25 years with the four of us. I mean, it’s like being married to three other dudes, traveling the world, trying to stay the course, and having everybody agree.
That we managed to do it this long, I feel like that’s a feat in itself. You could never replace any of us because we [are the] the sum of four parts.”
As for what’s to come from the band, he added:
“That doesn’t mean there’s not someone else out there that has stuff to offer in a new direction. I think I’ll just leave it there, you know? It was a hard decision we all had to make. It’s just… it was just time.”
Kelliher did not confirm whether or not Eller will be performing with the band further, but did offer, “we look forward to a new chapter of Mastodon.” Meanwhile, Eller himself has since taken to social media to speak of his time performing with the band last weekend, offering:
“Get into it!
What an incredible weekend playing with @mastodonrocks as a part of @toolinthesand . You guys who have followed me for a while know how much I love this music, so to be asked to play alongside the band is a TRUE honor. I’ve seen your kind and supportive words for me out there, and it means the world to me! My inbox is so stuffed, there’s no way I can respond to every single thing, but know how much I appreciate yall. Thank you all, and thank you to @billy_butterslax , @creamale , and Troy for trusting me to get the job done. Playing the parts of one of my favorite guitarists ever is no easy task, but it was a joy. Cheers, everyone!”
Mastodon have a bit of breathing room to lock in whoever will eventually take over for Hinds full-time, as their co-headlining tour with Coheed And Cambria won’t kickoff until May. Dubbed ‘The Infinite Arc‘, that trek will also feature Periphery opening.
05/09 Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival
With Coheed And Cambria & Periphery:
05/10 Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center
05/11 Knoxville, TN – Knoxville Civic Coliseum
05/13 Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
05/15 Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park
05/16 Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery
05/17 Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville (no Mastodon only)
05/17 Augusta, GA – William B Bell Auditorium (no Mastodon)
05/19 Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
05/21 Huntsville, AL – Orion Amphitheater
05/22 Lexington, KY -Rupp Arena
05/24 Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
05/25 Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
05/26 Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
05/28 Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena
05/30 Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
05/31 Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
06/01 Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
06/03 Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
06/04 Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center Arena
06/06 Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
06/07 Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
06/08 Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
Mastodon:
07/11 Quebec City, QC – Festival Dete de Quebec (feat. Slayer, etc.)
07/05 Birmingham, UK – Villa Park (feat. Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, etc.)
07/06 London, UK – Finsbury Park (feat. Slayer, Amon Amarth, Anthrax, etc.)
07/30-08/03 Rasnov, ROM – Rockstadt Extreme Fest
07/31 Székesfehérvár, HUN – Fezen Festival
08/07-10 Walton-on-Trent, UK – Bloodstock Open Air
08/08-10 Kortrijk, BEL – Alcatraz Festival
08/15-17 Vallamand, SWI – Rock The Lakes
08/15-17 Eindhoven, NET – Dynamo Metalfest
08/22 Palmer, AK – Grandstand Alaska State Fair
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