Mastodon have released a brand-new single titled “Your Ghost Again,” the band’s first new material since the death of founding guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds last year.
Produced by Patrik Berger (Taylor Swift, Robyn) and Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou, the track arrives as an emotional tribute to Hinds, whose influence remains deeply embedded in the band’s identity.
In addition to marking Mastodon‘s first release since the loss of Brent Hinds, “Your Ghost Again” also offers fans an early look at the band’s evolving lineup. Song credits reveal contributions from guitarist Nick Johnston and keyboardist João Nogueira, both of whom have recently joined the group’s ranks.
Meanwhile, Mastodon appear to be preparing for a busy period on the road. Reports indicate that the band is expected to announce a new North American headlining trek dubbed “The Poisonous Weapons Tour.” Promotional artwork for the rumored run recently surfaced online, with blackgaze outfit Deafheaven and French post-black metal band Alcest reportedly set to provide support. While an official announcement has yet to be made, several dates from the tour have already begun circulating online.
Speaking about the song’s origins, drummer and vocalist Brann Dailor revealed that memories of Hinds were impossible to escape while working in the studio.
“’Your Ghost Again‘ is about being in those familiar places you used to be with people, which for us is in the studio,” says drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor (via Kerrang!). “I just kept seeing [Hinds] out of the corner of my eye, where he would normally be with his guitar.
“It’s about that: your mind plays tricks on you, especially so soon after someone dies and you’re in the places where they always were. You just see them.”
The song’s lyrical themes extend beyond grief and remembrance. Bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders explained that his lyrics were written directly for his longtime bandmate, reflecting on the experiences they shared throughout their career.
“My portion of the song, lyrically, is all about Brent, and for Brent. The bridge lyrics are two lines of pure gratitude towards Brent. It’s all the gifts from you, now you can take them back where you must go, meaning you came into my life, you exposed me to things that blew my mind, together we conquered thousands of stages around the world, had magical moments that we can never repeat again, but all the beauty that you brought it still remains, always will, and it’s just a line of gratitude because that’s important that we include Brent.”
For guitarist Bill Kelliher, “Your Ghost Again” was the obvious choice to introduce this new chapter of Mastodon. He noted that the song captures the band’s signature sound while also addressing the personal events that have shaped the group’s recent journey.
“We wanted to pick a song that sounds like Mastodon, and that has all the things in there, because it’s the first impression of what people are gonna hear. It speaks about things that have just happened and people passing. I could go deep but I don’t want to because a lot of that s**t’s personal.”
Hinds passed away on August 20, 2025, at the age of 51 following a motorcycle accident in Atlanta. According to police reports, he was traveling between 63 and 68 mph when his motorcycle collided with a BMW SUV. He suffered serious injuries to his head, arms and torso and later died at Grady Memorial Hospital.
The release of “Your Ghost Again” marks a significant moment for Mastodon as the band moves forward while honoring the legacy of one of its founding members. The song serves both as a tribute to Hinds and as the group’s first glimpse into its future following an immense personal loss.
