In a statement released on their social media channels this afternoon, Mastodon announced that after 25 years they have agreed to mutually part ways with long-time lead guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds. The full statement can be seen below:
As the statement says, the band will continue to honor its tour commitments in the upcoming year, including an appearance this weekend at Tool in the Sand in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Though it seems unclear who will replace Hinds' lead guitar and vocal parts, that information should be revealed prior to their scheduled performance on Sunday, March 9th, as the band is expected to deliver a headlining set at the aforementioned event. Mastodon are also set to embark on a spring U.S. tour with Coheed and Cambria, before playing as part of Black Sabbath's final show on July 5th in Birmingham, as well as scattered festival dates in Europe this summer.
Alongside bandmates Brann Dailor (drums), Bill Kelliher (guitar), and Troy Sanders (bass), Hinds was an integral part of creating some of the most iconic records to emerge from the New Wave of American Heavy Metal. Sharing vocal duties with Sanders and Dailor, Hinds unique voice can be found throughout Mastodon's catalog on trademark tracks, most notably the epic conclusion to their 2009's masterpiece Crack the Skye, "The Last Baron." His unmistakable playing style, influenced partly from his experience with the banjo, is one of the hallmarks of Mastodon's music. Fans of the band worldwide will be interested to see how the group addresses his absence moving forward.
For more information on Mastodon's tour dates and the replacement for Brent Hinds, stay tuned to their socials and mastodonrocks.com.
