Mastodon returned in June with "Your Ghost Again," a tribute to their late ex-bandmate Brent Hinds. Hinds, arguably the most visible member of Mastodon over the years, left the band last year, quite contentiously. Less than half a year later, he died in a motorcycle crash. His bandmates had already carried on without him, but his death recontextualized that effort.
Now comes the album announcement. "Your Ghost Again" was our first preview of Marrow Deep, Mastodon's first album without Hinds and first since 2021's Hushed And Grim. Inspired by the Three Fates of Greek mythology, the album finds Brann Dailor, Troy Sanders, and Bill Kelliher joined by guitarist Nick Johnston, with "significant contributions" from keyboardist João Nogueira. Mastodon co-produced it at their West End Sound studio in Atlanta with the intriguing combination of Patrik Berger (Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX) and Kurt Ballou (High On Fire, Converge). It'll be out next month on Loma Vista, and it reportedly features a lengthy and eye-popping list of featured guests to be revealed later.
On "Snakes For Dinner," the new single out today, Mastodon recruit the services of Josh Homme, the Queens Of The Stone Age leader last seen duetting with Shania Twain. What can we say, the man has range. Homme previously worked with Mastodon on "Colony Of Birchmen" from 2006's Blood Mountain. Perhaps even more than he did back then, he fits right in here.
A word from Sanders:
Bill, Brann, and myself are thrilled that we still have the opportunity to do this, and we've got other members who are just over the moon to be in the band with us. That's a magical feeling that makes us keep wanting to go to band practice. It’s reminiscent of the very beginning of our band, where all members are hungry, we're united, and excited to get to work. And we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to do this record.
Watch the "Snakes For Dinner" video below.
Marrow Deep is out 8/28 on Loma Vista. Pre-order it here.
