“After 25 monumental years together, Mastodon and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways.” With that line, posted on the band’s social media channels on March 7, 2025, the Atlanta metal group announced that its co-founding guitarist was out.
Louder noted it was the first lineup change in Mastodon’s history. Hinds had played with Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher and Brann Dailor since they formed the band in 2000, and he appeared on all eight of its albums, from 2002’s Remission to 2021’s Hushed and Grim.
The statement was short. “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,” the remaining members wrote. “We are still very inspired and excited to show up for fans in this next chapter of Mastodon. As we move forward, all 2025 touring plans will remain intact.”
No reason was given for the split, and there was no word on who might replace Hinds.
A quiet warning sign
Hinds was absent the night before the announcement, March 6, when Kelliher, Sanders and Dailor appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House in Brooklyn. The trio joined opera composer Jake Heggie for a talk called “Metal, Melville, and the Metropolitan Opera: Mastodon’s Leviathan meets Heggie’s Moby-Dick,” marking 20 years since the band’s Moby-Dick concept album.
The record
Mastodon and Hinds earned six Grammy nominations over the years. They won once, for Best Metal Performance in 2018, with “Sultan’s Curse” from Emperor of Sand.
Away from the band, Hinds has led the surfabilly group Fiend Without a Face and played in West End Motel, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra and Legend of the Seagullmen.
What is still on the calendar
The news broke as Mastodon were due at Tool’s Live in the Sand festival, a weekend event starting that day at the Hard Rock and Royalton Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Primus, Coheed and Cambria and Eagles of Death Metal were also on the bill.
In May the band is set to start a U.S. co-headlining tour with Coheed and Cambria, with Periphery in support. A slot at the UK’s Bloodstock festival follows on August 10, below headliners Gojira.
Sources
- Brent Hinds Leaves Mastodon 25 Years After Co-Founding Band
- Mastodon Part With Brent Hinds After 25 Years, Share Statement
- "After 25 monumental years together, Mastodon and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways." Mastodon announce shock departure of guitarist Brent Hinds
Sources
- Brent Hinds Leaves Mastodon 25 Years After Co-Founding Band
- Mastodon Part With Brent Hinds After 25 Years, Share Statement
