Mastodon singer and bassist Troy Sanders discussed the band’s long-awaited new album, “Marrow Deep,” in an appearance on the Everblack podcast. He praised new guitarist Nick Johnston for his contributions to the record.
Johnston joined Mastodon following the tragic passing of Brent Hinds. Sanders explained how Johnston brought fresh material to the songwriting process for a band that had remained a four-piece for its entire career.
“[Nick] brought a few songs into the process that he had been working on, and they turned out to be awesome,” Sanders said. “We’ve been a four-piece for our entire career.”
“And this is the first record with Nick Johnston on guitar, so when he came to the table with some riffs and some ideas and some songs, not only did we think they were really cool and it was exciting, but this is a very authentic way to add his flavor, his textures and his sound to the record, which just helps — we think it just helps it grow,” Sanders continued.
This marks a significant new chapter for Mastodon. The details surrounding “Marrow Deep” underscore just how much change the band has weathered to get here.
“Marrow Deep” is set for release on August 28. It marks Mastodon’s ninth studio album and the band’s first full-length effort since 2021’s “Hushed and Grim.” The record arrives via Loma Vista Recordings. It was preceded by the release of the track “Snakes For Dinner,” which features a collaboration with Josh Homme.
The album’s arrival is especially notable given the circumstances surrounding it. “Marrow Deep” is Mastodon’s first release without founding guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds. Hinds departed the band earlier last year before his death in a motorcycle accident.
Against that backdrop, Nick Johnston’s arrival takes on added weight. His songwriting contributions to “Marrow Deep” represent the first time an outside voice has shaped a Mastodon record from the ground up. Sanders frames this shift as both a tribute to the band’s evolving identity and a genuine creative expansion.
The album’s release is just weeks away. Fans will soon get the chance to hear firsthand how Johnston’s “flavor,” “textures” and “sound,” as Sanders described them, blend into Mastodon’s long-running body of work.
