Mastodon Welcomes Nick Johnston as New Touring Guitarist Following Brent Hinds’ Departure
Mastodon, the Atlanta progressive metal giants, have enlisted Canadian guitar virtuoso Nick Johnston to fill the void left by longtime guitarist Brent Hinds for their spring 2025 North American tour. The tour kicked off on Thursday, May 8th, at The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri, marking a new chapter for the band after Hinds' departure earlier this year.
News of Hinds' departure sent shockwaves through the metal community in March and a joint statement from Mastodon stated "After 25 monumental years together, MASTODON and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways". The statement left fans equal parts sad and excited about the possibilities for the band's future.
Johnston's arrival follows a brief stint by YouTuber and session musician Ben Eller, who stepped in for Mastodon's performance at the Tool In The Sand festival in March. Now, Johnston is set to take on the full spring tour, including a performance at the Sonic Temple festival in Columbus, Ohio, on May 9th, and the start of their co-headlining tour with Coheed and Cambria on May 10th in Salem, Virginia, where fans have been snapping up tickets in anticipation.
Hailing from Toronto, Nick Johnston is renowned for his catchy, melody-driven instrumental music and instantly recognizable playing style. With six solo albums under his belt, in '"Child Of Bliss"' released last year, and collaborations with bands like Intervals, Scale the Summit, Periphery, and Polyphia, Johnston brings a wealth of experience to the Mastodon lineup. His eclectic inspiration, ranging from blues to prog, jazz, and gypsy influences, promises to add a unique flavor to Mastodon's already diverse sound.
Bill Kelliher mentioned the split with Hinds noting “Like a marriage, sometimes people grow apart, and they get interested in other things,” he explained. “We wish nothing but the best for Brent in chasing his dreams.”
The departure of Brent Hinds marked the end of an era for Mastodon, whose lineup had remained unchanged for 25 years and Kelliher told Guitar World about Hinds's exit: "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". During that time they recorded eight studio albums, from 2002's "Remission" to 2021's "Hushed And Grim". While Hinds has now started his own musical journey with groups Fiend Without a Face, West End Motel, and Dirty B & the Boys, Mastodon looks forward to continuing their tour and seeing where their new direction will lead.
With nine Billboard 200-charting albums and a Grammy Award for "Sultan's Curse" in 2018, Mastodon has solidified their place as one of metal's most influential bands. Nick Johnston's addition promises to inject fresh energy and creativity into their sound as they gear up for the next chapter that fans are excited to see unfold.
What do you think of Mastodon's choice for a new guitarist? Share your thoughts and predictions for the band's future direction in the comments below!