Mastodon sent shockwaves through the guitar world last week with the surprising announcement that founding guitarist Brent Hinds had parted ways with the band.
Now, in an unexpected twist, the progressive metal titans brought in YouTube guitarist Ben Eller to fill in for their Tool in the Sand festival set over the weekend (March 9).
The news of Hinds’ departure—reportedly a mutual decision after 25 years—came just before the event at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Despite the shake-up, the band reassured fans that “all 2025 touring plans will remain intact.”
Who’s Filling the Void?
Given Mastodon’s signature thick, sludgy dual-guitar sound, many fans speculated whether Bill Kelliher would take on guitar duties alone or if a replacement was already in the works.
The answer came swiftly when Eller was spotted seamlessly handling Mastodon’s intricate guitar parts during the festival performance.
It appears Mastodon had at least some level of preparation before making the announcement, as Eller had just enough time to step in. Even so, the timeline was tight.
“Can you learn 17 Mastodon songs immediately?” bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders told the crowd during the set, highlighting the immense challenge Eller faced.
Despite the high-pressure circumstances, the setlist featured fan favorites, opening with Pain With an Anchor and including classics like Megalodon, Ghost of Karelia, and Blood & Thunder.
Temporary Stand-In or Full-Time Replacement?
At the moment, Mastodon has not confirmed whether Eller is a permanent replacement or simply stepping in for the short term. His own social media accounts remain unusually quiet, adding an air of mystery to the situation.
With the band set to tour alongside Periphery and Coheed & Cambria in May, and a high-profile appearance at Black Sabbath’s farewell show this summer, fans likely won’t have to wait long for clarity.
Youtube Guitarist Ben EllerWho Is Ben Eller?
Eller is best known for his ‘This Is Why You Suck at Guitar’ YouTube series, where he breaks down common mistakes players make.
Like many metal guitarists, his early influences include Metallica, followed by guitar legends like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Eddie Van Halen. Over the years, Eller has built a loyal following, amassing over 500,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Several of his videos have analyzed Mastodon’s guitar work, diving into the elements that make their sound so unique. Eller has even stated that the band’s groundbreaking 2004 album Leviathan
“instantly became one of my favorite records of all time” when he first heard it.
His deep understanding of Mastodon’s music and ability to capture its intricate, nuanced guitar work make him a logical and well-prepared choice—at least for now.
Mastodon’s Statement and Kelliher’s Perspective
Mastodon addressed Hinds’ departure with an official statement:
“We’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we’ve shared, and we wish [Brent Hinds] nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors. We are still very inspired and excited to show up for fans in this next chapter of Mastodon.”
The departure also raises questions about how the band’s signature guitar dynamic will evolve. Bill Kelliher and Brent Hinds had vastly different playing styles, and that contrast was part of what made their chemistry work so well.
Speaking to Guitar World last year, Kelliher acknowledged their opposing approaches to songwriting:
“We’re opposite sometimes. When I write songs, I’ll spend months piecing them together, whereas Brent says, ‘Let’s jam and write whatever on the spot in the studio.’
“That sometimes works for me, but I generally want to be organized and try out every possible avenue of where the songs can go.”
With Mastodon entering a new era, it remains to be seen whether Eller—or someone else—will fill the creative gap left by Hinds. Either way, Mastodon is pushing forward, and the next few months will be critical in shaping their future.
