Mastodon Centers 9th Album on 2 Deaths, Recasting Brent Hinds Split

1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 28

Marrow Deep, Mastodon’s ninth studio album, is built around the deaths of former guitarist Brent Hinds, 51, and drummer Brann Dailor’s mother Michele Lawrence, who died at 69 in February 2025.
The band says writing the record helped process both losses: lead single “Your Ghost Again” examines Hinds, while “Out Like a Lamb” honors Lawrence after years of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other ailments.
Hinds had split from Mastodon in March 2025 after a 25-year partnership and publicly insulted his ex-bandmates, but Dailor said that bitterness became a “blip” after the band learned of his death from his ex-wife.
The album also signals a reset for the Atlanta metal band, adding guitarist Nick Johnston and full-time keyboardist João Nogueira while featuring guests including Geezer Butler, Josh Homme, Randy Blythe and Joe Duplantier.
Still touring Europe across 22 shows in 14 countries, Mastodon says the record is not only a memorial but proof the band feels “alive” and focused on its future.