Mastodon has recruited Canadian musician Nick Johnston as a replacement guitarist for their North American spring/summer 2025 tour, which kicked off on May 8th at The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri.
Johnston took over the position following the departure of guitarist and founder Brent Hinds earlier this year.
When Mastodon performed at the Tool In The Sand in March, the band hired YouTuber and studio musician Ben Eller to play as a second guitarist.
With Johnston now in the lineup, Mastodon performed at the Sonic Temple on May 9th in Columbus, Ohio, before embarking on The Infinite Arc , a US tour with Coheed and Cambria that began on May 10th in Salem, Virginia and continues with several dates already confirmed until June 8th, 2025.
Who is guitarist Nick Johnston?
Hailing from Toronto , Nick Johnston is known for his solo work and collaborations with musicians such as Paul Gilbert ( Mr. Big ). With his guitar, Nick has managed to carve out his own style amidst a scene filled with instrumental guitarists.
Eclectic inspiration is evident in his sound, which ranges from blues to progressive, from jazz to gypsy, encompassing everything in between. Although his style is constantly evolving, his music is consistently detailed and technical. In 2024, Johnston released his seventh solo album, Child Of Bliss .
New directions for Mastodon
Since 2000, Hinds has served as guitarist and vocalist for Mastodon, alongside bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders , drummer Brann Dailor , and guitarist Bill Kelliher . The lineup remained the same for 25 years, recording eight studio albums, beginning with Remission and continuing through the band's most recent, 2021's Hushed and Grim
Kelliher spoke to Guitar World in March about Hinds' departure: “It was a fun and crazy journey, for sure. We accomplished a lot of things I never imagined, not in a million years. We had Grammys, tours with our heroes like Iron Maiden , Metallica , Motorhead and Tool . I appreciate all of that. Like in a marriage, sometimes people drift apart and get interested in other things,” he explained. “We wish Brent all the best in pursuing his dreams,” Kelliher added. (transcription via Blabbermouth).
In the same Guitar World interview, Bill, speaking about the musical and personal chemistry between the long-time members of Mastodon, said: “You know, it’s incredible that we’ve survived 25 years together. I mean, it’s like being married to three other guys, traveling the world, trying to stay on track and having everyone agree.”
“The fact that we’ve managed to do this for so long, I feel that’s already an achievement. You could never replace any of us because we are the sum of four parts. That doesn’t mean there isn’t someone out there who has something to offer in a new direction. I think I’ll just leave it at that, you know? It was a difficult decision that we all had to make. It’s just… it was just the right time,” he concludes.
Regarding the band's new phase, and without confirming that Johnston will permanently remain in the position, Kelliher reaffirms that the goal now is to focus on the upcoming dates: “We remain very inspired and excited to meet the fans in this next chapter of Mastodon. As we move forward, all tour plans for 2025 will remain intact. We look forward to seeing you on the road,” he concludes.
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