Revitalizing Mastodon: Troy Sanders Discusses the Impact of New Guitarist Nick Johnston
Mastodon’s latest album, Marrow Deep, embodies a powerful sense of rejuvenation for the band. the departure and untimely passing of their long-time guitarist Brent Hinds marked a significant turning point, as Nick Johnston stepped in to fill the void, leading the Atlanta metal legends into uncharted waters.
The exit of Hinds in early 2025 was a monumental shift in Mastodon’s lineup, representing the most significant change in the band’s 25-year history. The remaining members were faced wiht a pivotal choice that would define their future direction.
“We recognized that change was necessary,” reflects bassist Troy Sanders.”However,we were wholly uncertain about what lay ahead.”
“We were ready to go to any lengths to find the right fit, even if it meant auditioning hundreds of candidates or spending months searching,” he adds. “Finding the right person was crucial.”
Surprisingly, the search for a new guitarist took an unexpected turn. johnston was the first musician the band invited to atlanta-not for an audition, but simply to spend time together.
“Our drummer Brann had known Nick for years and always thought he was an exceptional player and a great person. So, before we even discussed music, we invited him to hang out for a few days,” sanders explains.
“At this stage in our careers, being a good person is just as important as being a talented musician. We wanted to see if we could genuinely enjoy each other’s company.”
As fate would have it,the timing of Johnston’s visit was surreal. “The day Nick arrived was the same day Brann’s mother passed away. When Nick knocked on the door after arriving in Atlanta, we had to tell him, ‘Hey… its great to meet you, but Brann’s mom died this morning.’”
“Nick instantly offered to leave, saying, ‘I can go back. I have a friend nearby.’ But we insisted he stay. In hindsight, that moment revealed a lot about his character.”
“When we finally got to jamming together, he walked in and said, ‘I know about 20 of your songs. Which ones do you want to play?’ We were taken aback.he had already done his homework as a fan.”
“Nick made it clear, ‘I’m not here to replace Brent. I want to help shape the future of mastodon.’ That was music to our ears.At that point, it was essentially, ‘You’re in.’”
The band quickly hit the road, first touring North America alongside Coheed and Cambria, followed by a full European festival circuit. Another summer of international shows ensued.
“Honestly, those were the three best tours of our career. The camaraderie, the energy, the recognition-we all feel revitalized. It’s rare for something so significant to change, and yet everything just clicks.”
This renewed spirit directly influenced the recording sessions for their new album. Rather than treating Johnston as just a hired musician, the band encouraged him to be a true creative collaborator.
“If we hit a snag in a section, Nick would jump in with suggestions right away. He wasn’t trying to take over; he genuinely wanted to enhance the songs,” Sanders shares.
“He would contribute ideas whenever he had them, but he was equally receptive if someone suggested, ‘Let’s try something diffrent.’ There’s no ego involved.”
For Sanders, bringing in another songwriter has subtly transformed the band’s musical landscape without compromising its core identity. “It naturally evolves our sound because another creative voice is involved, yet it still feels entirely authentic. it never felt forced.”
Despite being one of the most respected names in modern metal, sanders emphasizes that Mastodon’s greatest asset is their willingness to challenge each other. ”If someone tells me I’m overplaying,my response is usually,’Okay… what would improve it?’ I’m never overly attached to my ideas.”
“There are moments when someone might say, ‘That vocal isn’t quiet right,’ or, ‘That bass line could be simpler.’ You have to be open to that feedback.If everyone is just trying to protect their own space, you end up spending more time arguing than creating music. We’ve moved past that.”
As excitement builds around the new album, Sanders has consciously shifted his perspective on success, moving away from measuring it by sales or chart positions. Instead, he identifies two key milestones.
“The first success is simply completing the album and sharing it with the world. We’ve been living with some of these riffs for nearly two years. We wrapped up recording almost a year ago, and now it’s finally being released.”
“Of course, we hope people enjoy it. but we never expect anyone to love it. We don’t write records to win over old fans, attract new ones, or chase a different audience.We create albums that satisfy the five of us first.”
“If we’re embracing each other at the end of the process as we genuinely love what we’ve created, then hopefully, others will connect with it too. But that can’t be the driving force behind our music.”
his second measure of success is much simpler. “it’s about spending the next few years traveling the globe and performing these songs live. When you step on stage every night and feel that connection with thousands of fans… that’s when you realize you have the best job in the world.”
