Nick Johnston’s Role in the Upcoming Mastodon Album

As anticipation builds for Mastodon’s next album, the question on many fans’ minds is whether guitarist Nick Johnston will be involved in the project. Recently, guitarist Bill Kelliher addressed Johnston’s status during an appearance on the Sixty Scales and the Truth podcast.

Recent Changes in Mastodon’s Lineup

In March, Mastodon announced that they had parted ways with guitarist Brent Hinds after a remarkable 25-year collaboration. This decision came just ahead of their performance at Tool’s Live in the Sand festival, during which they brought in Ben Eller, a well-known guitarist and YouTube personality, as a temporary replacement. However, Eller’s involvement was short-lived, and when the band embarked on their first tour afterward, Johnston stepped into the role.

Johnston’s Continued Presence

Since then, Nick Johnston has become a consistent presence with Mastodon on stage, leading to speculation about his future with the band beyond live performances. The band has been actively working on the follow-up to their 2021 album, Hushed and Grim. So, what is Johnston’s position in this new creative phase?

Insights from Bill Kelliher

While Mastodon has not yet officially named Johnston as a full-time member, Kelliher’s comments suggest that Johnston’s contributions will be significant in the upcoming album. “He is freaking good. And more importantly, he’s just very humble. He’s extremely excited to be where he is with us and fits right in,” Kelliher shared during the podcast. “We’re writing together like crazy, and he’s always just so excited. He’s like a kid in a candy store when he goes onstage.”

Kelliher elaborated on Johnston’s involvement in the songwriting process, stating, “We’ve got like 20-some ideas … so we’ll demo the stuff at my house, we bring it to my studio with my engineer, and we bring in Nick and Joao [Nogueira], the keyboard player, and we start jamming the song and say, ‘You wanna add something? Please add whatever you want in here.'”

Future Collaborations and Creative Dynamics

According to Kelliher, Johnston is already making a mark on the new music: “He’s going to be in the new record for sure, yes. But he’s writing like crazy, I’m writing like crazy … we’re just so full of energy.” Kelliher noted that while most of the material being developed was initiated before Johnston joined, the collaboration is evolving. “It’s a little lopsided still because he’s only just joined the band, but it’s still going to be incredible. I’m so excited. Everything we’ve been demoing is awesome,” he added.

Upcoming Performances

For fans eager to see Mastodon live, there is one remaining opportunity this year. The band is set to perform on November 15 at New Orleans’ Lakefront Arena, alongside Acid Bath, Power Trip, Amigo the Devil, and others. Ticketing information can be found on the band’s official website. While no additional tour dates have been announced, it’s likely that they will surface once the new album is officially revealed.

Conclusion

With Nick Johnston’s enthusiastic integration into Mastodon and Kelliher’s positive outlook on their collaborative efforts, it seems that fans can expect a unique blend of creativity in the forthcoming album. As the band continues to evolve, Johnston’s contributions may play a pivotal role in shaping Mastodon’s sound for the future.

FAQs

Will Nick Johnston officially join Mastodon?

While he hasn’t been named an official member yet, his involvement in the upcoming album suggests a strong likelihood of a long-term role.

What can fans expect from Mastodon’s new album?

Fans can anticipate a mix of contributions from all band members, including new material brought in by Nick Johnston.

When is Mastodon’s next live performance?

Mastodon will perform on November 15 at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, with additional details available on their website.

How has the band adapted to the lineup change?

After the departure of Brent Hinds, the band has welcomed Nick Johnston and has been actively collaborating on new music, showcasing a renewed creative energy.