Mastodon joined by YouTuber Ben Eller at first show without Brent Hinds

nme.com:

Mastodon have revealed their replacement guitarist for ex-member Brent Hinds at a recent show – check out footage below.Late last week, founding guitarist Brent Hinds and Mastodon that they were amicably parting ways after 25 years together.

The band wrote at the time: “We’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we’ve shared and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors.”While Mastodon did not reveal who their replacement guitarist would be at the time, they confirmed that they will be proceeded with all announced shows – one of which took place at Tool’s Tool In The Sand festival in the Dominican Republic on March 9.At the show, they were joined by prominent YouTube guitarist Ben Eller, who has long been a fan of Mastodon, and has in past covered their songs numerous times.

Six months ago, he released a video titled ‘What I Learned From Mastodon’.Ben Eller made his debut with Mastodon on March 9, kicking off the set with ‘Pain With An Anchor’, in which he also provides backing vocals and plays one of Brent Hinds’ iconic guitar solos.Mastodon have yet to officially announce Eller as part of the band, so it’s currently unclear if he’s a permanent replacement for Hinds, or if he’s a temporary stand-in.Mastodon released their eighth and most recent album ‘Hushed And Grim’ in 2021, a sprawling 86-minute double album that included the singles ‘Sickle And Peace’, ‘Pushing The Tides’ and ‘Teardrinker’.They were also named on the stacked line-up for the final Black Sabbath show at Villa Park in Birmingham, which is happening on July 5.

Dubbed ‘Back To The Beginning’, it will also see performances from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Anthrax, Lamb Of God, Alice In Chains, Halestorm.