Bill Kelliher Confirms Brent Hinds Won’t Contribute to New Mastodon Album

Mastodon’s upcoming album, which has been rumored to be centered around a “supernatural horror” theme, will no longer include contributions from former vocalist/lead guitarist Brent Hinds. In a recent interview with Guitar World, guitarist Bill Kelliher confirmed that the record will feature only the band’s current lineup—Kelliher, vocalist/drummer Brann Dailor, and vocalist/bassist Troy Sanders. Kelliher clarified, “It’ll be the three of us. It’s stuff the three of us have written together.”

When asked if he would step into Hinds‘ lead guitar role following his departure, Kelliher shared his thoughts on his own guitar skills:

“My lead guitar skills are decent enough, but whoever we get is going to be light years ahead of me. It depends on the part and the song. If there’s a lead I want to play, I’ll play it. But if someone else writes something I like better, we’ll use their part. It’s all about what’s best for the song.”

Hinds’ departure from the band, after 25 years, was announced earlier this month. Following this, YouTuber Ben Eller was quickly brought in as a live replacement for the band’s upcoming show. However, Kelliher noted that Eller’s future with the band is still up in the air.

Despite the challenges posed by Hinds‘ exit, Mastodon is committed to fulfilling their live commitments, including their co-headlining tour with Coheed and Cambria, featuring Periphery as the opener.

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 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

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