Progressive sludge metal titans Mastodon have officially commenced recording sessions for their ninth studio album. The news comes directly from guitarist Bill Kelliher, who shared an update yesterday, June 17, 2025, via his Patreon. This marks a significant step for the band as they embark on their first full-length project since the surprising departure of vocalist/guitarist Brent Hinds in March.
The band’s upcoming record has been a topic of discussion for months, with drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor indicating back in January that it would explore a “supernatural horror” concept. At the time, Dailor expressed optimism for a swift production timeline, telling Metal Hammer: “I don’t see a world in which it does not come out in 2025.” While Hinds‘ unexpected exit might introduce unforeseen delays, Mastodon appears to be moving forward purposefully with their new material.
With Hinds no longer part of the lineup, the question of a permanent replacement remains. Guitarist Nick Johnston has been serving as the band’s touring guitarist, and Bill Kelliher has reportedly hinted that Johnston has contributed to some writing sessions. This suggests a potentially more integrated role for him going forward, perhaps even leading to a permanent position. It has been confirmed, however, by Kelliher in March to Guitar World, that Hinds will not have any lingering contributions on the new album.
As Mastodon enters this new creative phase, fans can anticipate experiencing their evolving sound live across a series of festival and headline dates throughout the summer and fall.
Mastodon 2025 Tour Dates:
- Jul 03: Blackweir Fields, Cardiff, UK (with Slayer, Amon Amarth, Anthrax, Hatebreed and more)
- Jul 05: Villa Park, Birmingham, UK (with Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Slayer, Pantera and more)
- Jul 06: Finsbury Park, London, UK (with Slayer, Anthrax, Amon Amarth and more)
- Jul 11: Festival d’été de Québec 2025, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Jul 23: Release Athens 2025, Plateía Neroú / Πλατεία Νερού, Kallithéa, Greece
- Jul 27: Hills Of Rock Festival 2025, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Jul 30: Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2025, Cetatea Rasnov, Râșnov, Romania
- Jul 31: Fezen Festival 2025, Székesfehérvár First Field, Székesfehérvár, Hungary
- Aug 03: Den Atelier, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Aug 05: MCK, Katowice, Poland
- Aug 08: Alcatraz Festival 2025, Sportcampus Lange Munte, Kortrijk, Belgium
- Aug 10: Bloodstock Open Air 2025, Catton Park, Walton-on-trent, UK
- Aug 12: Carlswerk Victoria, Cologne, Germany
- Aug 13: Batschkapp, Frankfurt, Germany
- Aug 14 – Aug 16: Reload-Festival 2025, Festivalgelände Im Langen Lande, Sulingen, Germany
- Aug 15: Dynamo MetalFest 2025, IJssportcentrum Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Aug 15 – Aug 17: Rock The Lakes 2025, Rock The Lakes Festival, Vallamand, Switzerland
- Aug 22: Grandstand, Alaska State Fair, Palmer, AK, US
- Sep 25 – Sep 28: Levitation 2025, Palmer Events Center, Austin, TX, US
