In a candid conversation with Brooksy and JD of Australia’s Rebel FM, Mastodon drummer and vocalist Brann Dailor offered an in-depth look at the band’s highly anticipated new album, "Marrow Deep," slated for release on August 28 via Loma Vista Recordings. This significant release marks the first full-length effort to feature guitarist Nick Johnston as a core member, alongside substantial creative input from keyboardist João Nogueira. The album was meticulously crafted, with Mastodon co-producing at their own West End Sound studio in Atlanta, collaborating with renowned producers Patrik Berger (known for his work with Lana Del Rey and Charli XCX) and Kurt Ballou (a veteran of the metal scene with bands like High on Fire and Converge). The final sonic polish was entrusted to mixer Andrew Scheps, whose impressive resume includes work with Adele, Black Sabbath, and Metallica.
"Yeah, I’m excited [to finally see ‘Marrow Deep’ released]," Dailor shared, reflecting on the period the band has held onto the finished product. "We’ve been sitting on it for a little while, so it’ll be nice to get it out there and get it to its first day of school and see if anybody picks on him. Maybe he can sit with the cool kids right off the bat, but we’ll see." This sentiment captures a palpable anticipation, not just for the band, but for the dedicated fanbase that has eagerly awaited new material from the Atlanta-based titans of progressive and sludgy metal. The album’s title, "Marrow Deep," itself suggests a profound exploration, hinting at themes that resonate with the core of existence and artistic expression.
When questioned about the emotional landscape surrounding the release of "Marrow Deep," specifically whether the feeling is more cathartic or anxiety-ridden, Dailor acknowledged a duality. This is particularly poignant given that the album arrives approximately a year after the passing of founding guitarist Brent Hinds. "I’d say it’s a bit of both," Dailor explained. "Just as there’s feelings on the other side with the fans that they haven’t felt before, there’s feelings that we haven’t felt before. We haven’t released an album without [all] four main [members of Mastodon]." This statement underscores the profound shift the band has undergone, navigating the creative process and subsequent release without one of its original architects. The "unknown" of how fans will receive this new iteration of Mastodon is a significant factor, but Dailor’s focus remains on the integrity of the creative output. "I don’t know how they’re gonna react to it. I just know that the only thing that I have ever had any control over is the way I feel about it personally. And then the people in the room who made the record — myself, Bill [Kelliher, guitar], Troy [Sanders, bass/vocals], and then João and Nick sort of came in at the end to help out as well — but when we got it to the finish line of, like, okay, listening from start to finish, all I can do is make sure that I’m in love with everything that is gonna be on the record, and that’s all I can really do. So I got it to that point — I got it to the point where I needed it to be, and so that has worked for me for 26 years, and so that’s where I’m at. But in the same breath, there’s some ground here that hasn’t been tread yet, so I guess we’ll see what happens. I’m excited, though, because I believe in the record, and I think that it’s the right record for us at this point in time."
The journey to "Marrow Deep" has been a protracted one, a fact corroborated by bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders in a recent interview with Jai "Jaimunji" Setright of Metal On Tap. Sanders elaborated on the extensive timeline, stating, "We’re excited for this thing to come out. It’s been maybe five years since our last record, ‘Hushed And Grim.’ We spent a year working on the demo portions of this, and then another year really honing in, the writing and recording. And we finished it, like, eight or nine months ago, so we’ve been sitting on it for a while, so we’re all very, very excited to let go and get it out there. So anyone that cares can have a listen." This five-year gap between studio albums is the longest in Mastodon’s career, highlighting the deliberate and extensive nature of the "Marrow Deep" creation process.
The genesis of "Marrow Deep" can be traced back to a period of sustained creative output, even amidst touring commitments. Sanders detailed the songwriting approach: "Our guitar player, Bill Kelliher, he brings a Pro Tools rig on the road with us, and he is constantly writing. And I think it kind of really picked up around 2024. We did a North American tour with Lamb of God. We called it the ‘Ashes Of Leviathan’ tour, and during that tour is what I remember, like, starting to really put more attention on writing, ’cause we knew we needed to stop touring on ‘Hushed And Grim’ and get going with some new stuff." This period of intensified songwriting was followed by extensive demoing. "And then, of course, in the first half of 2025, we spent a lot of time demoing songs. We had, like, 32 skeletons of songs, which was awesome, but it was too much. And we’re, like, ‘How do we dwindle this down?’ And we started demoing in Bill’s basement. He’s got a small studio in his home, and we just demoed a whole bunch of stuff, which led to honing in on that even more. We ultimately started recording the album in September of ’25, so it’s been nearly a year since we started recording this thing. So the writing was kind of hit or miss. It was constant for the past couple of years, because someone’s always collecting riffs, lyrical ideas, et cetera. But the writing really ramps up as you’re gearing towards, ‘We need to record.’" This reveals a methodical yet organic approach, where musical ideas are continuously cultivated and then refined through rigorous demoing and recording phases.
Thematic Core: Mythology and the Threads of Fate
The thematic underpinnings of "Marrow Deep" draw inspiration from the Three Fates of Greek mythology – Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos – who are depicted as weaving, measuring, and cutting the thread of life. This ancient narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for the fragile connections between life, loss, and destiny, themes that have undoubtedly resonated deeply with the band in recent years. The album aims to encapsulate the intense personal experiences that have shaped the intervening years, translating them into what is being described as some of Mastodon’s most expansive, adventurous, and emotionally resonant music to date.
Sanders elaborated on this mythological inspiration, crediting Dailor with the initial concept: "Our drummer Brann Dailor had the idea to get into some mythology on this record and have the three fates be the overlying theme, if you will. [It’s] probably a coincidence that there’s the three core guys in myself, Bill and Brann. But it kind of perfectly encapsulates everything that we’re feeling and thinking and doing, from the past, the now and the moving forward. So to me, it makes perfect sense, and it’s genius the way that Brann kind of put those pieces together." This mythological framework provides a cohesive narrative thread that binds the album’s diverse musical and emotional explorations.
A New Ensemble: Integrating New Voices and Visions
A significant aspect of "Marrow Deep" is the integration of new members into the creative fabric of Mastodon. João Nogueira, who has been touring with the band for five years as their keyboardist, has become a vital contributor, with his presence felt throughout the new record. Similarly, guitarist Nick Johnston, who has been touring with Mastodon for the past year and a half, has made substantial contributions, bringing fresh riffs, solos, and even full song ideas to the table.
"And on top of that, we’ve got our keyboard player that’s been touring with us for five years. His name is João Nogueira. He’s all over the new record, and he collaborated on tons of this stuff. And our new guitar player, Nick Johnston, we’ve been touring the world with him for a year and a half now. He had a lot to contribute to this new record with riffs, solos, full songs," Sanders explained. He further articulated the collaborative spirit that defined the recording sessions: "And ultimately it felt very… To me, it felt kind of triumphant that we had five guys in the studio with really a renewed sense of energy and purpose, and all five people very aligned, present in the room, waiting to collaborate or chip in or record this bit or change that, and just be a part of this collective. I do feel like this is obviously a different record in our career because we’ve been a four-piece forever, and now we’re a five-piece with a new guitar player. And just having the energy involved making it was probably my most proud moment of the record. It’s not anything per se on the album, but just the energy of making it through all this up and down and all this unknown. I didn’t feel that way while it was happening, but it took a little while after to realize, like, ‘Oh yeah.’ We were all in that studio for the five weeks all together, all on the same page and very aligned. It was pretty special. It took me a minute to see that."
This emphasis on a unified creative environment is a testament to the band’s willingness to evolve and embrace new dynamics. Sanders elaborated on the band’s philosophy regarding creative input: "Anyone that’s got a good idea and if they’re excited about it, then, like, let’s explore that, because energy and excitement is where good things can happen." He contrasted this with the potential for stagnation: "Some bands, they can find this really cool formula and they can kind of repeat that, and that’s awesome. The three of us did not wanna be, like, ‘Hey, this is a new album. The three of us are gonna kind of put this album together.’ Thankfully it wasn’t like that because we want these extra layers and these extra textures and sounds and involvement." The addition of piano, keys, and organ, along with guest vocalists and percussionists, signifies a conscious effort to broaden the sonic palette of Mastodon. "So having piano and keys and organ all over the record takes it to another level. Having all the guest vocalists and percussionists on the album helps add these other flavors. Of course Nick’s playing, it’s very Mastodon-ish, but it’s different, and it feels like this next proper step of our own evolution. So it’s cool. It was cool to see it unfold, as a member of the band and a fan of the band. It was pretty exciting, actually."
Touring and the Road Ahead
To commemorate the release of "Marrow Deep," Mastodon will embark on "The Poisonous Weapons Tour," a nationwide U.S. tour featuring support from Deafheaven and Alcest. The tour is scheduled to commence on September 16 in Orlando, Florida, and will conclude on October 24 at Sick New World in Dallas. This extensive tour signifies the band’s commitment to bringing their new material to live audiences and further solidifying their presence in the contemporary music landscape.
A Shift in Lineup: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future
The context of "Marrow Deep" is inextricably linked to the departure of founding guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds. Hinds officially exited Mastodon in March 2025. Tragically, he passed away in a motorcycle accident five months later. Nick Johnston stepped in to fill the guitarist role following Hinds’ departure. Hinds had been an integral part of Mastodon’s sound and identity since the band’s inception in 2000, serving as lead guitarist and vocalist alongside Sanders, Dailor, and Kelliher. His absence represents a significant moment in the band’s history, and the integration of Johnston and Nogueira marks a new chapter, one that honors the band’s legacy while forging a distinct path forward. The emotional weight of this transition is undoubtedly a subtle undercurrent in the creation and reception of "Marrow Deep," adding another layer of depth to the album’s exploration of life, loss, and continuation. The band’s ability to navigate this profound personal and professional shift while producing what appears to be a creatively vibrant and sonically diverse album speaks volumes about their resilience and artistic integrity.
