MASTODON Plays First Show Without BRENT HINDS, BEN ELLER Fills In

Mastodon just played their first show without Brent Hinds on March 9 at Tool's Live In The Sand festival in Punta Cana, and it seems they’ve recruited guitarist (and well-known YouTuber) Ben Eller for at least this one show. It's not clear if Eller will continue on with the band, but hey – congrats to Eller! Dude's clearly done his homework on the band's sound.

We'll post more footage as it becomes available.

For those somehow unaware, founding Mastodon guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds left the band on March 7. Fans might've noticed something was up earlier this week when Mastodon spent some time with the Metropolitan Museum Of Art talking about Moby Dick and Leviathan without Hinds. Hinds has still not yet issued a statement on the matter, though you can read Mastodon's take on things below.

"Friends and Fans, After 25 monumental years together, Mastodon and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways," wrote Mastodon in their statement.

"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. 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. We look forward to seeing you on the road."

Speaking of Mastodon live, they're gonna be touring with Coheed And Cambria and Periphery this May and June. The tour kicks off on May 10 at Salem Civic Center in Salem, VA and wraps up about a month later on June 8 at Vibrant Music Hall in Waukee, IA. Tickets are available here.

5/10 Salem, VA Salem Civic Center
5/11 Knoxville, TN Knoxville Civic Coliseum
5/13 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater
5/15 Wilmington, NC Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park
5/16 Charleston, SC Firefly Distillery
5/17 Augusta, GA William B Bell Auditorium (no Mastodon)
5/19 Estero, FL Hertz Arena
5/21 Huntsville, AL Orion Amphitheater
5/22 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
5/24 Virginia Beach, VA The Dome
5/25 Bridgeport, CT Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
5/26 Saratoga Springs, NY Broadview Stage at SPAC
5/28 Portland, ME Cross Insurance Arena
5/30 Syracuse, NY Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
5/31 Scranton, PA The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
6/1 Youngstown, OH Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
6/3 Fort Wayne, IN Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
6/4 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center Arena
6/6 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
6/7 Green Bay, WI Resch Center
6/8 Waukee, IA Vibrant Music Hall