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Ben Ellerdid something that not many musicians could do : he step in and replaced an original member of a isthmus . Sludge metallersMastodonhave unleash crushing Riff and thunderous rhythms for over 25 years . But in 2025 , the group - bassist / vocaliser Troy Sanders , drummer / vocalist Brann Dailor and guitar player Bill Kelliher - faced something of a bind . On March 7 , Mastodon announce that it and ground member Brent Hinds had " mutually decided to part way . " The trouble : Mastodon had an coming gig to make for , and they were down a guitarist .
recruit " Uncle Ben . " The musician and well - known YouTuber act as alongside Mastodon on March 9 at Tool ’s Live in the Sand Festival in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic . fit in toSetList.com , Ben and Mastodon ripped through 17 of the radical ’s hits , including " I am Ahab , " " Megalodon , " and " ancestry and Thunder " ( from theirMoby Dick - inspired breakthrough album , Leviathan).The group even brought out some previous tracks , play " All the Heavy Lifting " for the first time in a ten . So the question remains : how did Eller go from making guitar tutorials on YouTube to playing with one of the big alloy isthmus in the world ?
How Ben Eller Wound Up Playing With Mastodon
It Was A Gig 6 Years In The Making
Eller ’s spear with Mastodon was a last - minute decisiveness , but he had already been on the band ’s radar for a while . " A match of years ago , Bill [ Kelliher ] reached out to me via email , say how much he enjoy my duct and the Stuff Mastodon Does video I made , " Eller toldGuitar World . In his 2019 telecasting , Ben explained how Mastodon get its signature sound via specific tuning and equipment , reciting his determination and recommendations with a comical deadpan livery while also playing bit from " Oblivion , " " rip and Thunder , " and other song .
Kelliher found a kindred life in Eller , and they stay in touch . " He ’s as much of a gear orchis and flick chaser as I am , " Eller toldGuitar World . " We ’re invariably beam each other band , treadle , AMP , and clobber to determine out . " So , with Hinds ’s departure , Kelliher reach Eller about playing with the group at the Live in the Sand fete . " Uncle Ben " was task with learning " 7 Mastodon songs at once , " and he got to bring .
Whether due to end , departure , or originative difference of opinion , the original singer in these bands were supervene upon ( and afterward upstaged ) .
Eller did n’t hesitate , reckon the gig as " one of the coolest things I could ever get to be a part of . " But Eller knew the risks . " The repercussion could potentially be unrelenting , especially given how unbelievable and important of a role player Brent has been for the history of the band , " he toldGW . gratefully , Eller ’s appearance was met with " overwhelming " " joy and acceptation instead of the typical metalhead ire and complaints . " I was utterly unprepared for the degree of positivity and kindness I would receive from the fans after the lance , " he state .
What Does This Mean for Mastodon Going Forward?
Brent Hinds Left After 25 Years With The Band
On March 7 , Mastodonannouncedthat they and Brent Hinds " have mutually resolve to part way " after 25 " monumental long time together … We ’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and account we ’ve shared , and we wish him nothing but success and felicity in his future endeavors . " Mastodon also said that their 2025 touring plans " persist intact . " In May , Mastodon will joinCoheed and Cambriafor a joint - headline hitch ( with special guestsPeriphery ) .
What do Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam have in common ? It take one rock-and-roll band fall apart for an even better mathematical group to come into existence .
When speaking withGW , Eller did n’t say if he would stand in for Hinds for those appointment , and Bill Kelliher did n’t say much either when speak withGuitar Worldafter the Live in the Sand gig . But hedidshare what the mathematical group want in a permanent replacement . " Someone who is easy to get along with , and who really has a desire to play – and can play well , " said Kelliher .
He also emphasized that the player also needs to mesh with the band ’s moral force . " We ’ve got to be able to sit down and have a beer with them , go out to dinner party with them , you acknowledge , feel them out , and verify they ’re Mastodon stuff . Like , can they hang , for trusted , but it ’s got to be someone who has a unique manner , and is very serious about it . "
