In the wake of Brent Hinds' tragic death, Mastodon is not just mourning a bandmate but also a creative force that helped shape their unique sound. Hinds' passing has left a void, but it has also sparked a renewed sense of purpose within the band. As they prepare to release their new album, 'Marrow Deep', Mastodon is not only paying tribute to Hinds but also exploring the themes of life, loss, and destiny that were central to his creative vision.
The album, which is set to drop on August 28 via Loma Vista Recordings, marks a significant moment for the band. It's their first full-length since Hinds' departure and death, and it's a testament to their resilience and creativity. According to Brann Dailor, the drummer and vocalist, the album is inspired by the Three Fates of Greek mythology and the fragile ties between life, loss, and destiny. 'Marrow Deep' explores these themes through some of the most emotionally resonant and adventurous music of their career.
Performing without Hinds has been a challenging journey for the band. Bill Kelliher, the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist, admits that it's been difficult to not see Hinds on stage. 'It's just, like, 'Okay, this is different now.' But it's a necessary... It's just that's the way it is. He's not there. But I do see him. It's weird. For a split millisecond, I'll see the back of someone's hair or some tattoo something. It reminds me of seeing him.'
Despite the challenges, Mastodon has found a way to honor Hinds' legacy through their music. Dailor, in particular, has gone out of his way to publicly address Hinds' death from the stage and share an emotional moment with the fans. 'I think of him on stage these days or during this tour, not only with the song ['Your Ghost Again'] that we've been playing off the new album, but songs that he wrote that we're playing. And I sort of get more overcome with a feeling of gratitude to him... We wrote all these songs together, but there's stuff like 'Megalodon' or the song 'Crack The Skye', which we've put our hearts and souls into those songs together, and he wrote a lot of really incredible riffs. And so the gratitude is to him for creating these things that we get to honor him by playing them and keeping those songs alive and going, which I know that he would've wanted that.'
The album 'Marrow Deep' is not just a tribute to Hinds, but it's also a reflection of the band's own experiences with loss and grief. Dailor, in particular, has been open about his own struggles with depression and grief. 'My mom also died a few months before Brent, and then we had all that turmoil in between, and it was just like... I had trouble getting out of bed. I was really depressed and was having a hard time, and the only thing I knew how to do was go over to Bill's house, write more riffs, go down to the practice space to try to write music to get through it. The only thing that got me through all of it was this new record and Mastodon and just having something that I had to go do.'
The album 'Marrow Deep' is not just a personal reflection, but it's also a testament to the power of music to heal and inspire. As Kelliher puts it, 'That's really, to me, what music is — it's cathartic. And writing it and getting it out, getting it off your chest, 'cause I'm not really good with words, sometimes when I have to talk about my feelings, but I can definitely write a riff. I can put an emotion into it, and Brann can write the lyrics, and we can... All of us can make these great songs that out of these sad, terrible tragedies, we seem to be able to shine the best.'
In the end, 'Marrow Deep' is not just an album, but a testament to the resilience and creativity of Mastodon. It's a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, there is always a way to find light and hope. As Dailor says, 'I can't imagine my life without it. I don't know what kind of high-strung person, depressed person I would be if I didn't have Bill and Troy, us to rally around this thing together and get through it.'
The album 'Marrow Deep' is a must-listen for fans of Mastodon and anyone who appreciates the power of music to heal and inspire. It's a testament to the band's resilience and creativity, and it's a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, there is always a way to find light and hope.
