Alright, Atlanta’s prog-metal titans MASTODON just roped in Canadian guitar wizard Nick Johnston to fill the void left by Brent Hinds – because apparently, 25 years of shredding together wasn’t metal enough? The tour kicked off May 8 in Chesterfield, Missouri, because what’s spring without a little existential riffage?
Remember that time MASTODON played Tool In The Sand fest in March? They dragged in YouTuber Ben Eller for guitar duty. Guess they’re really leaning into that “guest star of the month” vibe now.
Next up: MASTODON hits the Sonic Temple festival TODAY (May 9) in Columbus, Ohio, followed by a co-headlining U.S. tour with COHEED AND CAMBRIA starting Saturday (May 10) in Salem, Virginia. Mark your calendars, folks – because who needs sleep when you can have prog-metal riffs and sci-fi rock operas?
Now, about Nick Johnston: This Toronto dude writes instrumental tunes so catchy they’re basically earworms with a PhD. Fun fact: He’s a musical magpie, stealing bits from blues, jazz, gypsy music, and probably your grandma’s polka collection. His seventh album, “Child Of Bliss”, dropped last year – because apparently, he doesn’t believe in creative naps.
Brent Hinds, meanwhile, had been with MASTODON since Y2K (the actual year, not the panic). The band’s March 7 breakup note was all “we’re still BFFs, promise!” but let’s be real – 25 years with the same three dudes? That’s longer than most Hollywood marriages. Their discography spans from 2002’s “Remission” to 2021’s “Hushed And Grim”, which they recorded in their own Atlanta studio like the self-sufficient nerds they are.
Oh, and MASTODON has six Grammy nods and one win for “Sultan’s Curse” – because nothing says “heavy metal” like a golden gramophone, right?
Don’t forget the “Infinite Arc” tour with COHEED AND CAMBRIA and PERIPHERY, rolling through 20 cities before wrapping June 8 in Waukee, Iowa. Because Iowa’s definitely where all prog-metal dreams go to retire.
