During a recent interview with Guitar World, Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher commented on parting ways with guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds. According to him, “it was a hard decision [they] all had to make.”
Kelliher said the following:
“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. We achieved a lot of things that I never in a million years would have imagined. There’s been Grammys, touring with our heroes, like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Motorhead, and Tool. I cherish all of that.
Like a marriage, sometimes people grow apart, and they get interested in other things. We wish nothing but the best for Brent in chasing his dreams. You know, it’s amazing that we made it 25 years with the four of us. I mean, it’s like being married to three other dudes, traveling the world, trying to stay the course, and having everybody agree.
That we managed to do it this long, I feel like that’s a feat in itself. You could never replace any of us because we [are the] the sum of four parts.”
He also added:
“That doesn’t mean there’s not someone else out there that has stuff to offer in a new direction. I think I’ll just leave it there, you know? It was a hard decision we all had to make. It’s just… it was just time.”
The band recently recruited YouTuber/musician Ben Eller for their set at Tool’s “Live In The Sand” festival. However, it is unclear if his role will be permanent. For now, Kelliher says the group “look forward to a new chapter of Mastodon.”
Metal Anarchy 
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