Burnt by the Sun has officially announced their return after 15 years of inactivity. Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher will be joining the band as second guitarist, as shared on the band’s Facebook page.
The New Jersey metal/hardcore act made the announcement, confirming the return of their core lineup and revealing the addition of a familiar face to the fold.
“After 15 years of hibernation, Burnt by the Sun have officially reactivated,” the band said. “The New Jersey-born metal/hardcore act responsible for aughts crushers Soundtrack to the Personal Revolution (2002), The Perfect Is the Enemy of the Good (2003) and Heart of Darkness (2009) embark on a second act born of lifelong friendships.”
The reunion was sparked by a personal moment that brought the original members back together in late 2025.
“The core four of vocalist Mike Olender, guitarist John Adubato, bassist Ted Patterson and drummer Dave Witte have all returned, brought physically together in late 2025 at the funeral of Patterson’s father, a figure who loomed large over the band’s initial run,” the band continued. “What’s more, they’ve brought an old pal aboard as second guitarist, Bill Kelliher.”
Vocalist Mike Olender elaborated on the significance of Kelliher’s involvement, highlighting the deep-rooted history between the two acts.
“The icing on the cake for us is bringing Bill into the fold,” Olender said. “Bill is a longtime friend, and our early years mirrored Mastodon’s, having shared the stage many times in the early 2000s.”
Olender also shed light on Kelliher’s connection to the band’s very origins.
“Bill was actually part of that initial creative spark that led to BBTS getting formed,” he continued. “Back in the late ’90s Bill and John were writing together, some of which became BBTS’s first recorded material, and so for him to be part of this new chapter of the band is a reconnection to our roots and love for this kind of creative expression. We are also really excited about the new dynamic that Bill will add in terms of our live shows and new material.”
The reunion marks a significant milestone for a band whose history has been defined by both critical intensity and long stretches of dormancy. This reactivation is all the more meaningful for fans of the genre.
Burnt by the Sun built their reputation as one of the more technically demanding acts to emerge from the New Jersey metalcore scene in the early 2000s. The band was known for a chaotic, technically intense style that set them apart from their peers, earning them a dedicated following within the metal and hardcore communities. Their catalog spans three studio albums over roughly a decade and remains a touchstone for fans of the genre.
Bill Kelliher’s addition brings considerable weight to the reunion. Best known as one of the founding guitarists of Mastodon — one of the most acclaimed heavy metal bands of the past two decades — Kelliher’s involvement signals that this is far more than a nostalgia-driven comeback. His presence as a second guitarist is expected to add a new dimension to both the band’s live performances and any forthcoming studio material.
The band’s history has been marked by lineup changes and extended gaps in activity. A full-core reunion of this nature is therefore a rare occurrence. The fact that all four original members — Olender, Adubato, Patterson, and Witte — have returned intact adds further significance to the announcement. It represents a genuine restoration of the band’s founding chemistry rather than a partial revival.
No further details regarding upcoming shows or new recordings have been announced at this time.
