Mastodon (band)

Mastodon was formed on January 13, 2000,{{Cite web |author=Loudwire |title=Mastodon's Troy Sanders - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction? |date=January 25, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogCm_RnAVV8&t=4m56s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/ogCm_RnAVV8| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} after drummer Brann Dailor and guitarist Bill Kelliher moved from their home state of New York to Atlanta, Georgia, and met bassist Troy Sanders and guitarist Brent Hinds at a High on Fire show.{{cite web |url=http://shop.relapse.com/artist/artist.aspx?ArtistID=10063 |title=Mastodon - Official Relapse Records Band Page |website=Relapse Records |access-date=October 12, 2008}} Dailor and Kelliher previously played in Lethargy and had performed on the Today Is the Day album In the Eyes of God, while Sanders and Hinds had played together in a band called Four Hour Fogger. The four men discovered they had a mutual appreciation of sludge metal bands Melvins and Neurosis, heavy metal legends Iron Maiden, and 1970s hard rockers Thin Lizzy, and began working on music together shortly thereafter. In a 2009 interview, Kelliher revealed that the first time Hinds attended a practice with the band, he "showed up so wasted he couldn't play".{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/77887/mastodon|title=Mastodon Talks Origins|access-date=April 26, 2009|date=April 23, 2009|publisher=idiomag|archive-date=February 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216174505/http://www.idiomag.com/peek/77887/mastodon|url-status=dead}}

The band recorded a nine-song demo in June 2000,{{Cite web |title=Mastodon Biography |url=http://www.mastodonrocks.com/discography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011140550/http://mastodonrocks.com/biography |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=March 7, 2023 |website=mastodonrocks.com}} which featured Eric Saner on vocals, and they sold it to fans at early shows.{{Cite web |title=Mastodon: How We Ended Up as Band With 3 Singers |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/mastodon_how_we_ended_up_as_band_with_3_singers.html|access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=www.ultimate-guitar.com}} After just a few months, Saner left the band for personal reasons, and the songs from 9 Song Demo were re-recorded with vocals from Hinds and Sanders.{{Cite web |title=MASTODON: A CONDENSED HISTORY |url=http://www.cjlo.com/articles/mastodon-a-condensed-history |access-date=March 7, 2023 |website=www.cjlo.com/}} In 2001, Reptilian Records released a 7" picture disc containing three of the re-recorded tracks. That same year, Mastodon landed a record deal with Relapse Records, and five more of the re-recorded songs were released as the Lifesblood EP.

Mastodon's first studio album, Remission, was released on May 28, 2002. It featured the song "Crusher/Destroyer" (which was included on the Tony Hawk's Underground soundtrack) and the band's first single, "March of the Fire Ants". Coinciding with a music video for "March of the Fire Ants", a deluxe edition of Remission was released in October 2003. This version of the album contained a cover of the Thin Lizzy song "Emerald" and a bonus DVD featuring a professionally filmed live set recorded at The Masquerade in Atlanta.

File:Mastodon2004.jpg

The band's second full-length album, Leviathan, was released in 2004; it's a concept album loosely based on Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick.{{cite web |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/chats/1-666_mastodon.aspx |title=Where Swims the Leviathan? |access-date=August 1, 2008 |website=Chronicles of Chaos |date=August 31, 2004}} The band received critical acclaim for Leviathan and the record was named album of the year by Kerrang!{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html#2004 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080327025925/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html#2004 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |title=Kerrang! End of year lists |website=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |access-date=November 6, 2011}} and Terrorizer.{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/terroris.htm#2004 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080524005712/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/terroris.htm#2004 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=May 24, 2008 |title=Terroriser Albums of the year |website=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |access-date=November 6, 2011}} "Blood and Thunder", which featured Clutch vocalist Neil Fallon, was chosen as one of the most important recordings of the decade by National Public Radio in November 2009; National Public radio coverage described the entire album as epitomizing "a phenomenal decade for metal".{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2009/11/16/120409149/the-50-most-important-recordings-j-m |title=The 50 Most Important Recordings of the Last Decade |access-date=April 17, 2011 |website=NPR.org |date=November 16, 2009}} Leviathan also ranked second in a list by Metal Hammer of the best albums of 2004.{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/metal.htm#2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060224140538/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/metal.htm#2004 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 24, 2006 |title=Metal Hammer Albums of the year |website=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |access-date=November 6, 2011}}

The band went on tour in support of the album, playing throughout North America and Europe in The Unholy Alliance tour along with Slayer and Lamb of God and later on with Slipknot.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=28194 |title=Mastodon Announce Special London Headlining Performance |access-date=August 3, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=August 20, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526003059/https://www.webcitation.org/689wYgunx?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=28194 |archive-date=May 26, 2024 }}

"Iron Tusk", the fifth track on the album, can be found on the soundtrack of the skateboarding video game Tony Hawk's American Wasteland and in 2K Sports video game NHL 2K9. "Blood and Thunder" is featured in the video games Need for Speed: Most Wanted,{{cite web |url=http://music.ign.com/articles/658/658285p1.html |title=Need for Speed Most Wanted Gets Much Music |access-date=August 12, 2008 |website=IGN |date=August 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728185546/http://music.ign.com/articles/658/658285p1.html |archive-date=July 28, 2012}} Project Gotham Racing 3{{cite web |url=http://projectgothamracing3.com/gothammusic/Soundtrack+Samples.htm |title=Soundtrack Samples |access-date=August 12, 2008 |website=Project Gotham Racing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712203728/http://projectgothamracing3.com/gothammusic/Soundtrack+Samples.htm |archive-date=July 12, 2012}} and Saints Row,{{cite web |url=http://music.ign.com/articles/723/723841p1.html |title=Saints Row Delivers A Sonic Blitz |access-date=August 12, 2008 |website=IGN |date=August 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131094402/http://music.ign.com/articles/723/723841p1.html |archive-date=January 31, 2009}} as well as Japanese music games Drummania V2 and Guitarfreaks V2,{{cite web |title=GuitarFreaksV2 & DrumManiaV2 Official Homepage |url=http://www.konami.jp/am/gfdm/gfdmv2/top_index.html |access-date=August 12, 2008 |website=Konami}} Specific HTML frames at [http://www.konami.jp/am/gfdm/gfdmv2/music/music_27.html] and [http://www.konami.jp/am/gfdm/gfdmv2/mleve/gf_standard_new.html] and was added as a playable track on all instruments in Guitar Hero: Metallica. It has also been released as downloadable content for Rock Band 3, with Pro Guitar support also available at extra cost.{{cite web |url=http://www.rockband.com/blog/tutone-relient-mastodon-dlc |title=Rock Band Debuts From Tommy Tutone, Ohio Players & Relient K, Plus Singles From Anberlin & Mastodon |access-date=April 26, 2011 |website=Rockband.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418225727/http://www.rockband.com/blog/tutone-relient-mastodon-dlc |archive-date=April 18, 2011}}

Leviathan was followed by the 2006 release of Call of the Mastodon, a remastered collection of the band's first nine songs, as well as a DVD of interviews and concert footage called The Workhorse Chronicles that includes material from the band's early days as a five-piece. The band has stated that they consider Call of the Mastodon to be their first studio album, as its songs were recorded and released prior to Remission. These two releases were the band's last for Relapse Records, as they would later go on to sign with Warner Bros.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=43730 |title=Mastodon: Collection Of Early Recordings, Three-Hour DVD Due In February |access-date=August 3, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=November 5, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/689wZBtap?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=43730 |archive-date=June 4, 2012 }} Mastodon also recorded a cover version of Metallica's "Orion" for a 2006 Kerrang! tribute album marking the 20th anniversary of the release of Master of Puppets.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=48532 |title=Mastodon Cover Metallica's 'Orion' For 'Master Of Puppets' Anniversary CD |access-date=August 3, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 18, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526003220/https://www.webcitation.org/689wZdhJL?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=48532 |archive-date=May 26, 2024 }}

The band's third studio album, Blood Mountain, was released on September 12, 2006, followed by a tour to support the album along with Tool in Europe{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=60898 |title=Mastodon: 'Colony Of Birchmen' Video Posted Online |access-date=August 1, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=October 24, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526003259/https://www.webcitation.org/689wa6lHl?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=60898 |archive-date=May 26, 2024 }} and Slayer in Australia and New Zealand.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=64717 |title=Slayer: Australian Tour Dates Announced; Mastodon To Support |access-date=August 1, 2008 |date=January 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526003342/https://www.webcitation.org/689waYJOz?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=64717 |archive-date=May 26, 2024 }} The Mars Volta frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala lent his vocals to the track "Siberian Divide". Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme contributed vocals for the song "Colony of Birchmen".

File:Mastodon - Roskilde Festival 2007.jpg]]

The band performed the song "Colony of Birchmen" on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien on November 1, their first appearance on network television, to a viewing audience of around 2.4 million people.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61747 |title=Mastodon: 'Late Night With Conan O'Brien' Performance Posted Online |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=November 7, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111145613/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article |archive-date=January 11, 2013 }}

The band's first single from Blood Mountain, "Capillarian Crest", was ranked No. 27 in Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 100 Songs of 2006.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/12769472/the_100_best_songs_of_2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214062224/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/12769472/the_100_best_songs_of_2006 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 14, 2006 |title=The 100 Best Songs of the Year |access-date=July 28, 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 8, 2006}} The album itself was ranked ninth in the magazine's best albums of the year chart.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/12800635/the_top_50_albums_of_2006/2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106051346/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/12800635/the_top_50_albums_of_2006/2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2007 |title=The Top 50 Albums of 2006 |access-date=July 28, 2008 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 11, 2006}} The UK's Metal Hammer voted it the best album of 2006 in its end of year critic's poll.{{cite magazine |title=Gill: Critics Choice 2006 |url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/blog/2007/01/16/gill-critics-choice-2006/ |magazine=Metal Hammer |access-date=February 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823234309/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/blog/2007/01/16/gill-critics-choice-2006/ |archive-date=August 23, 2007 |date=January 16, 2007}} The album was voted in at No. 5 by Kerrang! in its end-of-year list,{{cite web |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216032059/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 16, 2006 |title=Kerrang! End of year lists |website=Rocklistmusic.co.uk |access-date=November 6, 2011}} as well as No. 6 and No. 1, respectively, on PopMatters' Best Albums of 2006{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/43459/best-albums-of-2006-10-1 |title=Best Albums of 2006 |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=PopMatters |date=December 23, 2006}} and Best Metal Albums of 2006 lists.{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/column/8836/the-best-metal-albums-of-2006/ |title=The Best Metal Albums of 2006 |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=PopMatters |date=December 22, 2006}} About.com rated it the top metal album of 2006.{{cite web |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/a/bestof2006.htm |title=Top 20 Heavy Metal CDs Of 2006 |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=About.com |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514085550/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/toppicks/a/bestof2006.htm |url-status=dead }} Blood Mountain was also named best album of 2006 in the 10th-anniversary birthday edition (issue 119) of Bizarre. It also came in at No. 2 on Revolver magazine's list of the top albums of 2006. The band was named Artist of the Month for March 2007 at Gametap.com.{{cite web |url=http://www.gametap.com:80/home/aom/index.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203054638/http://www.gametap.com/home/aom/index.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 3, 2007 |title=GameTap Browse hundreds of your favorite video games |date=February 3, 2007 |access-date=March 31, 2017}}

Mastodon toured and played numerous shows during this time. The band joined Against Me! and Cursive for a North American tour, with Planes Mistaken for Stars opening for one leg and These Arms Are Snakes the other.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71721 |title=Mastodon, Against Me! Get Tour Off To 'Roaring' Start |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 2, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924173009/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=71721 |archive-date=September 24, 2008}} A performance in Milwaukee had to be canceled due to illness on the part of Brent Hinds.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=72296 |title=Mastodon: Illness Forces Milwaukee Concert Cancellation |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111145613/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article |archive-date=January 11, 2013 }} Mastodon would play the Hove Festival in Norway as well as on the Main Stage of the Download Festival and then the Pitchfork Music Festival. During this time, the band opened for Metallica on the Sick of the Studio tour. The band also played at the 2007 Dubai Desert Rock,{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=63876 |title=Stone Sour, Mastodon Confirmed For United Arab Emirates' Desert Rock Festival |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111145613/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article |archive-date=January 11, 2013 }} the 2008 Bonnaroo Music Festivals{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=90084 |title=Metallica, Pearl Jam, Mastodon Confirmed For Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=February 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111145613/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article |archive-date=January 11, 2013 }} and the inaugural Mayhem Festival. Mastodon then toured with Slayer, Trivium, Lamb of God and several other metal bands in 2008 for The Unholy Alliance tour 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97133 |title=Slayer, Trivium, Mastodon To Team Up For 'The Unholy Alliance: Chapter III' European Tour |access-date=July 28, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=May 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519110040/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97133 |archive-date=May 19, 2008 }}

The band performed "Colony of Birchmen" at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards live with Josh Homme. After the televised performance, Brent Hinds was reported to have sustained a severe head injury. Blabbermouth.net initially reported that it was the result of a brutal assault,{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=80572 |title=Mastodon's Brent Hinds Hospitalized With 'Severe Head Injury' |website=Blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914185715/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=80572|archive-date=September 14, 2007}} but the police report later suggested that an inebriated Hinds had started a fight with System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian and vocalist William Hudson, also known as Reverend William Burke of Achozen.{{cite web |url=http://www.spin.com/articles/mastodon-bang-your-head?page=0%2C1 |title=Mastodon: Bang Your Head |first=David |last=Peisner |website=Spin.com |date=April 22, 2009 |access-date=November 6, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.NET/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81417 |title=Cellador Guitarist Bill Hudson: I Had Nothing To Do With Mastodon's Hinds Getting Injured |website=BlabberMouth.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818193051/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.NET/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81417 |archive-date=August 18, 2009}}

"Sleeping Giant" was made available as a downloadable song for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, "Colony of Birchmen" was included on Harmonix's Rock Band 2 and Volition's Saints Row 2, and "Divinations" was featured in Madden NFL 10 and Saints Row: The Third. Mastodon contributed a cover version of Harry Nilsson's "One" to the video game Army of Two{{'}}s advertisement campaign. The band members are fans of Aqua Teen Hunger Force and in 2007, Mastodon performed the opening song of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters, "Cut You Up with a Linoleum Knife".{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=58281 |title=Mastodon To Make Big-Screen Debut In 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force' |access-date=July 31, 2008 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=September 12, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526003422/https://www.webcitation.org/689y3uQFp?url=http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx%3Fmode=Article&newsitemID=58281 |archive-date=May 26, 2024 }}

File:Mastodon 15.jpg

Crack the Skye was released on March 24, 2009, as a normal version and a deluxe version (which includes all songs in instrumental versions as well as their normal versions) and entered the Billboard 200 at number 11 a week later.{{cite web |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=mastodon|chart=Billboard 200}} |title=Music Albums, Top 200 Albums & Music Album Charts |website=Billboard.com |access-date=November 6, 2011}} The album is produced by Brendan O'Brien{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=98377 |title=Mastodon Stretches Out On 'Creepy' New Album |website=Blabbermouth.net|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801185144/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=98377|archive-date=August 1, 2008}} and Scott Kelly of Neurosis returns as a guest musician on the title-track.{{cite web |url=http://www.thrashhits.com/2008/11/interview-mastodon-on-the-unholy-alliance-and-crack-the-skye/ |title=Interview: Mastodon on The Unholy Alliance and Crack in The Skye |website=Thrash Hits |date=November 7, 2008 |access-date=November 8, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614054858/http://www.thrashhits.com/2008/11/interview-mastodon-on-the-unholy-alliance-and-crack-the-skye/ |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In a MusicRadar interview, guitarist Bill Kelliher confirmed the album is about an "out-of-body experience", and looks at the concepts of astral travel, wormholes, Stephen Hawking's theories and the spiritual realm.

The album follows a quadriplegic who learns astral projection. On his journey he flies too close to the sun, burning his umbilical cord which connects him to his body, and flies into oblivion. At the same time in Czarist Russia, Rasputin and his cult were channeling spirits and brought the quadriplegic to their time. He explains his situation and foretells the assassination of Rasputin. Inevitably Rasputin is assassinated and Rasputin guides him back to his body. The band had debuted three new tracks at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, but did not play any more live shows before the album's release, due to fears of internet distribution and wanting to play the songs to the right audience.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=99062 |title=Mastodon Debuts Three New Songs At Bonnaroo; Video Available |website=Blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701043914/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=99062 |archive-date=July 1, 2008}} Drummer Brann Dailor sings lead vocals for the verses of the song "Oblivion". Mastodon was a headliner at the Scion Rock Fest on February 28, 2009, performing a set containing three tracks from Crack the Skye, the first time these songs were played since being finalized and recorded. On May 15, 2009, Mastodon performed a shortened version of "Oblivion" on the Late Show with David Letterman.

File:Bill Kelliher, Mastodon, Sonisphere 2009.jpg in 2009]]

To support their new album, Mastodon toured with Metallica on the latter part of the 2009 European leg of their World Magnetic Tour.{{cite web |url=http://www.metallica.com/page.asp?id=600022 |title=Metallica.com |website=Metallica.com. |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714075053/http://www.metallica.com/page.asp?id=600022 |archive-date=July 14, 2011}} In Fall of 2009, they embarked with Dethklok on the "Adult Swim Presents" tour along with Converge and High on Fire. On October 17, 2009, they recorded a DVD documenting the tour at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/mastodon-to-record-concert-at-aragon-ballroom-for,34148/ |title=Mastodon to record concert at Aragon Ballroom for upcoming DVD |access-date=October 15, 2009 |website=The A.V. Club |date=October 15, 2009 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629151056/http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/mastodon-to-record-concert-at-aragon-ballroom-for,34148/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/dethklok-and-mastodon-at-the-aragon-ballroom,34274/ |title=Dethklok and Mastodon at the Aragon Ballroom |access-date=October 19, 2009 |website=The A.V. Club |date=October 19, 2009 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629151417/http://www.avclub.com/chicago/articles/dethklok-and-mastodon-at-the-aragon-ballroom,34274/ |url-status=dead }} Mastodon played the alternative music festival Big Day Out, touring across Australia and New Zealand in January and February 2010.

On October 29, 2009, they performed "Divinations" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

On November 4, 2009, Mastodon released their third EP, titled Oblivion.{{cite web |url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/news.php?newsid=11355 |title=Mastodon Oblivion EP |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=November 6, 2011}}

Teaming up with bands Deftones and Alice in Chains, Mastodon went on tour in September 2010 in the United States and Canada. The tour was called Blackdiamondskye, a portmanteau of the three bands' latest albums (Black Gives Way to Blue, Diamond Eyes, and Crack the Skye).

Film director Jimmy Hayward contacted the band during their 2009 tour of Europe and expressed how much listening to Blood Mountain had helped his creative process while finishing a screenplay, and he offered Mastodon a chance to score the film he had been working on - Jonah Hex. In an interview with Paste magazine, bassist Troy Sanders said that Hayward "called us out of the blue as a fan. It was the most beautiful, authentic way to collaborate."{{cite magazine |last=Jacobs |first=Justin |title=Mastodon Talks Jonah Hex Score |magazine=Paste |date=October 23, 2009 |url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/10/mastodon-talks-about-recording-jonah-hex-score-swi.html |access-date=April 17, 2011}} Mastodon used scenes from the film as inspiration during the writing and recording process, and the instrumental soundtrack, Jonah Hex: Revenge Gets Ugly EP, was released on June 29, 2010, through Reprise Records.{{cite web |last=Suarez |first=Jessica |title=Mastodon – "Indian Theme" (Stereogum Premiere) |website=Stereogum |date=June 24, 2010 |url=http://stereogum.com/419851/mastodon-indian-theme-stereogum-premiere/ |access-date=June 28, 2010}}

In 2010, the band was confirmed as being part of the soundtrack for Namco Bandai Games' 2010 remake of Splatterhouse. The game's protagonist can also be seen wearing a Mastodon T-shirt in certain flashback cutscenes.

On March 15, 2011, Mastodon released their first live DVD/CD, titled Live at the Aragon, through Reprise. The recording features the entire performance of their fourth studio album, Crack the Skye, along with songs from their previous records.

File:Troy Sanders at Sonisphere, Stockholm 2011.JPG

The Hunter, Mastodon's fifth studio album, was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo.{{cite web |url=http://www.mastodonrocks.com/node/1688 |title=Mastodon | 'Playing God' Australian video premiere |website=Mastodonrocks.com |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706073632/http://www.mastodonrocks.com/node/1688 |archive-date=July 6, 2011}} The first hints of the new album were given by the band via Facebook in January 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/Mastodon/posts/176655359040571 |title=Mastodon announce new album |website=Facebook |access-date=January 16, 2011}} Drummer Brann Dailor revealed during interviews the title of the band's new album and described the new material as not so much proggy or riff-oriented and "a little more stripped down".{{cite web |url=http://festivals.mtv.de/05-06-2011/rock-am-ring-video-mastodon-interview/ |title=Rock am Ring Video: Mastodon Interview |website=MTV Festival-Blog |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107172744/http://festivals.mtv.de/05-06-2011/rock-am-ring-video-mastodon-interview/ |archive-date=January 7, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158516 |title=Mastodon: First New Songtitles Revealed |website=Roadrunnerrecords.com |date=May 23, 2011 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820094852/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=158516 |archive-date=August 20, 2011}}{{cite web |last1=Al-Sardar |first1=Ali |title=Bill Kelliher and Brent Hinds Name Top 10 Heaviest Mastodon Riffs |url=https://rockinformer.com/bill-kelliher-and-brent-hinds-heaviest-mastodon-riffs-of-all-time/ |website=Rock Informer |date=October 3, 2023 |access-date=3 October 2023}}

Meanwhile, the band performed at many major summer festivals.{{cite web |last=Bhamra |first=Satvir |url=http://amplified.tv/2011/01/17/motorhead-mastodon-in-flames-and-parkway-drive-join-sonisphere-line-up/ |title=Motorhead, Mastodon, In Flames and Parkway Drive join Sonisphere line-up |website=Amplified.tv |access-date=November 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308091025/http://amplified.tv/2011/01/17/motorhead-mastodon-in-flames-and-parkway-drive-join-sonisphere-line-up/ |archive-date=March 8, 2012}} On June 28, 2011, Mastodon released a leftover track from the Crack the Skye sessions, called "Deathbound", through Adultswim.com.

The first taste of The Hunter came in July 2011 when Mastodon released, via YouTube, the song "Black Tongue", set to a video of AJ Fosik creating the sculpture used for the album cover. By August 12, the band had revealed the track listing from The Hunter and debuted "Curl Of The Burl", the first official single from the new album. Mike Elizondo was chosen to produce the album, marking his first time working with the band. It was also announced that a deluxe edition would be released. It featured the bonus tracks "The Ruiner" and "Deathbound" and a different cover.

On September 6, Mastodon released a third song from The Hunter, "Spectrelight", featuring Scott Kelly of Neurosis.

On September 16, the band released a 53-minute custom visualizer with all of the album tracks, 11 days prior to the release of The Hunter. In support of the album a North American headline tour was announced. The album was very well received by fans and the media. It also performed strongly on the official charts, rising to number ten on the Billboard 200. On October 5, 2011, they performed "Curl of the Burl" on the Late Show with David Letterman.

On October 12, a UK tour was announced that will run through February 2012 with fellow bands The Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang as support acts. They were at Later... with Jools Holland, where they performed "Black Tongue" and "Curl of the Burl". A seventeen-date European tour was announced that featured dates in Scandinavia, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands and Latvia.

On December 1, "Curl of the Burl" was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Metal/Hard Rock performance. It is the band's second nomination with the first being for "Colony of Birchmen" in 2007.

The record was named "Album of the Year" by Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and Rock Sound.

In January 2012 it was announced that Mastodon and Swedish prog metal band Opeth will tour together in a joint tour across North America. It was named the "Heritage Hunter Tour" after both bands latest releases, The Hunter and Heritage. The bands took turns in the headlining spot. Support came from the Swedish heavy metal band Ghost.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=169003 |title=Mastodon, Opeth, Ghost: North American Tour Dates Announced |website=BlabberMouth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202202101/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=169003 |archive-date=February 2, 2012}} On February 11, 2012, the band performed a sold-out show at the Brixton Academy in London, it was the band's biggest headline show ever.{{cite web |url=http://www.thrashhits.com/2012/02/live-mastodon-the-dillinger-escape-plan-red-fang-london-brixton-academy-11-february-2012/ |title=Live: Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan + Red Fang @ London Brixton Academy – 11 February 2012 |website=Thrash Hits |date=February 16, 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2012}} Dry Bone Valley" was released on February 13 as the third single of the album. A music video for the song was also released.

On April 21, 2012, to commemorate Record Store Day, Mastodon released two separate records. The first was a split 7-inch with Feist titled Feistodon. Mastodon covered Feist's "A Commotion" and Feist covered Mastodon's "Black Tongue". The pair also released a one of a kind interactive, crossfading music video for the song 'A Commotion'.{{cite web |url=http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/feist-and-mastodon-release-crossfading-interactive-new-video-101927/ |title=Feist and Mastodon release crossfading interactive new video |website=The Line Of Best Fit |date=2012-08-01 |access-date=2014-06-25}} The second release was a cover of The Flaming Lips' "A Spoonful Weighs a Ton".

The band spent the summer performing at festivals across Europe and South America. It was the last tour in support of The Hunter.

Mastodon began recording again in early 2013. Guitarist Brent Hinds described the new music as "really eerie" and "very spooky-sounding", and stated that he has written three new songs.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=183045 |title=Mastodon's Brent Hinds Working On 'Really Eerie' And 'Very Spooky-Sounding' New Music |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=December 1, 2012 |access-date=December 1, 2012}} On December 3, 2012, the band announced via their Twitter page that they were writing a song for the film Monsters University.{{cite web |url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/194858 |title=Mastodon Writing/Recording Track for Upcoming Monsters, Inc. Sequel |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |date=December 4, 2012 |access-date=December 4, 2012}} However, the song used in the film was the previously released "Island".

They were also part of the 2013 Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival. On May 6, 2013, the band stated that they are "...Very busy writing and putting songs together for the next studio Mastodon album..."{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/Mastodon/posts/10151601853287948 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/5748157947/10151601853287948 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=Mastodon - For those of you who are interested, Yes we... |website=Facebook |access-date=June 25, 2014}}{{cbignore}} In an interview on July 26,{{cite web |url=http://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/brann-dailor-clarifies-status-of-new-mastodon-album-involvement-with-monsters-university |title=Brann Dailor Clarifies Status Of New Mastodon Album, Involvement With 'Monsters University' |website=Metal Insider |date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=June 25, 2014}} Brann Dailor was reported as saying that the band would "probably [go into the studio] end of September". Mastodon released its second live album, Live at Brixton, in December 2013.{{cite web | url=https://thefirenote.com/news/mastodon-to-release-live-at-brixton-on-december-10th/ | title= Mastodon to Release "Live at Brixton" on December 10th | website=thefirenote.com | author= Christopher Anthony | date=October 28, 2013 |access-date=April 27, 2023}} The band also played at the 2014 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

File:Troy Sanders-2-Edit.jpg

On February 27, Brann Dailor told in the interview that their sixth album would be released in summer of 2014, and he also stated that the band would release an EP in winter of 2014. Some of the confirmed tracks were: "Tread Lightly", "Buzzard's Guts", "Scent of Bitter Almonds", "High Road" and "Aunt Lisa".{{cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2014/02/mastodon-new-album-interview/ |title=Mastodon Near Completion of 'Wild' Summer LP |website=Spin |date=February 27, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2014}}

In an interview with Troy Sanders in Paste magazine released on April 3, he revealed the album was called Once More 'Round the Sun and had 15 tracks. He also confirmed that Mastodon recorded 90 minutes of material, but only 60 minutes of it will be present on the album; the unreleased material possibly might be released on an EP later in 2014. A few more tracks that have been confirmed are: "Diamonds in the Witch House" (which has Scott Kelly from Neurosis on a guest vocal appearance), and "Ember City".{{cite magazine |last=Kane |first=Tyler |url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/04/mastodons-troy-sanders-talks-new-album-once-more-r.html |title=Mastodon's Troy Sanders Talks New Album Once More 'Round the Sun |magazine=Paste |date=April 3, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2014}}

In an interview on April 11, Dailor revealed the album will be released in June.{{cite web |url=http://www.metalinsider.net/interviews/mastodons-brann-dailor-on-new-album-we-want-it-to-be-at-every-15-year-old-party-in-the-woods |title=Mastodon's Brann Dailor on new album: We want it to be at every 15 year old party in the woods |website=Metal Insider |date=April 11, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2014}}

On April 17, the first single "High Road" was made available for streaming.

On April 26, Bill Kelliher revealed the title of the second single "Chimes at Midnight".{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/mastodon-bill-kelliher-once-more-round-the-sun/ |title=Mastodon's Bill Kelliher Talks 'Once More 'Round the Sun' |website=Loudwire.com |date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2014}}

As of June 16, 2014, the entire album is streaming on iTunes.{{cite web |url=http://www.metalinjection.net/av/full-album-stream/drop-everything-and-stream-the-new-mastodon-album-once-more-round-the-sun |title=Drop Everything and Stream the New Mastodon Album, Once More 'Round The Sun In Full |website=Metal Injection |date=June 16, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2014}}

The album was released on June 24, 2014, through Reprise Records. The album sold around 34,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart making it the band's first consecutive top 10 debut, with their previous album, The Hunter, peaking at No.10 after opening with 39,000 copies in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mastodons-once-more-round-the-sun-cracks-u-s-top-10/ |title=Mastodon's 'Once More 'Round The Sun' Cracks U.S. Top 10 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=April 17, 2013 |access-date=July 3, 2014}}

On January 18, 2015, it was reported that Brent Hinds was working on a new Mastodon album, showing a picture with him playing the 13 string pedal steel.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/brent-hinds-working-on-new-mastodon-music/ |title=Brent Hinds Working On New Mastodon Music |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=January 18, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2015}} The same report was later confirmed by Troy Sanders, who stated: "Every record that we do is gonna sound different, because we always want to evolve and create our own musical path. And every record will be different. We do not wanna write the same record twice."{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mastodons-troy-sanders-we-just-write-what-we-love-and-we-love-what-we-write/ |title=Mastodon's Troy Sanders: 'We Just Write What We Love, And We Love What We Write' |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=January 23, 2015 |access-date=May 9, 2015}}

On March 12, 2015, Mastodon released a new track called "White Walker", which appears on the Game of Thrones: Catch the Throne Vol. 2 mixtape to promote the fifth season of the HBO TV series Game of Thrones. Dailor, Hinds, and Kelliher also appeared in episode 8 of the season as wildlings.{{cite web |url=http://www.metalinjection.net/metal-in-the-mainstream/yes-that-was-mastodon-on-game-of-thrones-last-night |title=Yes, That Was Mastodon On Game of Thrones Last Night! |website=Metal Injection.net |date=June 2015 |access-date=June 1, 2015}} This mixtape will also feature songs by various other acts, ranging from Killswitch Engage to Snoop Dogg.{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/check_out_new_mastodon_track_white_walker.html |title=Check Out New Mastodon Track 'White Walker' |website=Ultimate-Guitar.com |access-date=May 9, 2015}} Hinds and Kelliher once again returned to Game of Thrones as wights among the White Walker army for the season 7 finale episode, "The Dragon and the Wolf".{{cite web |url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2017/08/28/mastodon-return-to-game-of-thrones-announce-details-of-new-ep/ |title=Mastodon Return to Game of Thrones, Announce Details of New EP |website=MetalSucks |date=August 28, 2017 |access-date=August 31, 2017}}

The band's seventh studio album, Emperor of Sand, was released on March 31, 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mastodon-to-release-emperor-of-sand-album-in-march-cover-artwork-track-listing-revealed/ |title=Mastodon To Release 'Emperor Of Sand' Album In March; Cover Artwork, Track Listing Revealed |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=January 26, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2017}} The theme for the album was cancer, inspired by Troy's wife who was diagnosed with cancer, and Bill's mother who lost her life to cancer. It details the story of a traveler banished to the desert by an emperor, in effect giving him a death sentence. The story is a metaphor for someone diagnosed with terminal cancer.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/inside-mastodons-dark-emotional-new-lp-w456143 |title=Inside Masotodon's Dark, Emotional New LP |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 20, 2016}} The first single, "Show Yourself", was released in February, and had peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in June, making it the band's highest-charting song to date.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/309949/mastodon/chart?f=376 |title=Mastodon - Chart history |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 10, 2018}} The second single, "Steambreather", peaked at number 18 on the same chart in October.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/mastodon/chart-history/rtt/ |title=Mastodon Steambreather Chart History |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 10, 2018}}

Mastodon also released an EP titled Cold Dark Place on September 22 of the same year.{{cite web |url=http://www.theprp.com/2017/08/17/news/mastodon-reportedly-release-new-album-cold-dark-place-september/ |title=Mastodon To Reportedly Release New Album 'Cold Dark Place' In September |date=August 17, 2017 |website=The PRP |access-date=September 10, 2018}} It was a four-song EP, featuring three songs recorded during the Once More 'Round the Sun sessions, and one track recorded during the Emperor of Sand sessions. The first single for the EP, "Toe to Toes" was released on September 1, 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/mastodon-cold-dark-place-ep-details-revealed/ |title=Mastodon: 'Cold Dark Place' EP Details Revealed |website=Blabbermouth |date=August 28, 2017 |access-date=August 31, 2017}} Brent Hinds stated that the inspiration behind some of the songs recorded for Cold Dark Place, which he wrote, were inspired by a nasty breakup that he had endured. Describing the sound of the record, Hinds stated that "I wrote some pretty dark, beautiful, spooky, funky, ethereal, melancholy music, which also sounds like the Bee Gees a little bit."{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/mastodon-brent-hinds-new-album-cold-dark-place/ |title=Mastodon's Brent Hinds Teases Release of New Album 'Cold Dark Place' |website=Loudwire |date=August 17, 2017 |access-date=August 31, 2017}} On December 1, the band released a revised version of the 12-part "The Making of Emperor of Sand" documentary via their official YouTube channel.{{cite web|url=http://www.mastodonrocks.com/news/making-emperor-sand-full-length-documentary-43761|title=The Making of Emperor of Sand - Full Length Documentary|website=Mastodon Rocks|access-date=January 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113035736/http://www.mastodonrocks.com/news/making-emperor-sand-full-length-documentary-43761|archive-date=January 13, 2018|url-status=dead}} Mastodon were announced to be on a co-headlining Summer 2018 Tour with Primus spanning across North America lasting from May to July.{{cite web |url=http://www.mastodonrocks.com/news/new-summer-tour-dates-primus-43776 |title=New Summer Tour Dates with Primus |website=Mastodon Rocks|date=January 29, 2018 }} In 2019 they released a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" dedicated to the memory of their dear friend and manager, Nick John.

On July 31, 2020, Mastodon released a new song titled "Fallen Torches" and announced a compilation album of rare material titled Medium Rarities, which was released on September 11, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.mastodonrocks.com/news/medium-rarities-out-september-11-142446|title='Medium Rarities' Out September 11|publisher=Mastodonrocks.com|date=July 31, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020}}

On June 17, 2021, the band announced a partnership with livestreaming company Dreamstage to present a live acoustic set in their hometown of Atlanta at the Georgia Aquarium on July 15, with $1 from each sale of a ticket/merchandise package going toward supporting the aquarium.{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/mastodon-are-playing-a-show-at-the-georgia-aquarium/|title=Mastodon to livestream acoustic set at Georgia Aquarium|date=June 17, 2021}}

Mastodon released their eighth studio album Hushed and Grim on October 29, 2021.{{Cite web|last=Remennik|first=George|date=September 10, 2021|title=Mastodon Announce New Album Hushed And Grim|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/mastodon-announce-new-album-hushed-and-grim/}} The album is produced by David Bottrill, who has worked previously with such artists as Peter Gabriel, Muse, Tool, and Rush.{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/12/mastodon-tool-producer-david-bottrill-new-album/|title=Mastodon tap Tool producer David Bottrill for new album|date=December 17, 2020}}

On March 7, 2025, Mastodon announced that the band and Brent Hinds had mutually decided to part ways.{{cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bands/mastodon-part-ways-with-brent-hinds|title="We're deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we've shared, and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors": Mastodon part ways with Brent Hinds|first=Jackson|last=Maxwell|work=Guitar World|date=March 7, 2025|accessdate=March 8, 2025}} The remaining trio performed a series of dates with fill-in guitarist Ben Eller, before bringing in Nick Johnston to tour with the band on their run of shows with Coheed & Cambria and Periphery.{{cite web |title=Who Is Nick Johnston, Mastodon's New Fill-in Guitarist? |url=https://loudwire.com/mastodon-nick-johnston-new-guitarist/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=14 May 2025}} As of June the same year, Kelliher confirmed via his Patreon page that Johnston was in fact writing and recording new material with the group in Atlanta for a future album release, all but confirming his position as the group's new lead guitarist.http://patreon.com/Butterslaxguitar

File:Ursynalia 2012, Mastodon 03.jpg and progressive rock, characterized by complex, atypical rhythmic structures (including irregular stopping and starting). He also attributes his style to band practice as a teenager, claiming that practicing with the guitarist instead of the bassist influenced his style.]]

Mastodon has been described as progressive metal,{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/sharpdarts/070810/ |title=Liquid Metal |website=Chicago Reader |access-date=July 17, 2008 |quote=They have admirers in world-class progressive-metal outfits like Isis, Mastodon, and Tool |archive-date=December 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212191527/http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/sharpdarts/070810/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mastodon-on-real-life-tragedies-that-inspired-harrowing-new-lp-111507/|title=Mastodon on Real-Life Tragedies That Inspired Harrowing New LP|last=Reed|first=Ryan|date=March 28, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=January 25, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/event/primus-mastodon-9130667|title=Primus, Mastodon|last=Roche|first=Jason|website=L.A. Weekly|access-date=February 13, 2019}} alternative metal,{{cite news |url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/scott-kelly-and-the-road-home/Content?oid=3393955 |title=Scott Kelly and the Road Home |newspaper=Boise Weekly |access-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002022033/https://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/scott-kelly-and-the-road-home/Content?oid=3393955 |archive-date=October 2, 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1052444/cursive-ready-to-rock-on-mastodon-tour |title=Cursive Ready To Rock On Mastodon Tour |magazine=Billboard |access-date=13 December 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/music/2009/apr/16/stand-back-make-room-emweeklyems-badass-music-issu/ |title=Make room for the Badass music issue! |date=16 April 2009 |newspaper=Las Vegas Weekly |access-date=13 December 2015}} sludge metal,{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/mastodon-remission-album-anniversary/|title=17 Years Ago: Mastodon Became a Contender with 'Remission'|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|date=May 28, 2019|website=Loudwire|access-date=July 27, 2019}} stoner metal, psychedelic metal,{{cite web|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/mastodon-s-emperor-sand-429898|title=Mastodon's 'Emperor Of Sand'|date=June 14, 2017|last=Micallef|first=Ken|publisher=Mix Online|access-date=December 18, 2018}} experimental metal,{{cite web |last=Buchanan |first=David |title=CoS Year-End Report: The Top 100 Albums of '09: 50-26 - Mastodon, Crack the Skye |url=https://consequence.net/cos-year-end-report-the-top-100-albums-of-09-50-26/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=March 20, 2012 |quote=Mastodon represents experimental metal in the genre's American 'new wave' at the turn of last decade.}} and groove metal.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.spin.com/2007/05/mastodon-against-me-stop-smell-roses/ |title=Mastodon, Against Me! Stop, Smell Roses |magazine=Spin|access-date=2012-04-13}} James Christopher Monger of AllMusic describes Mastodon as "one of the more notable new wave of American heavy metal acts, a genre spawned in the mid-'90s" and says that "Mastodon's innovative, lyrically astute blend of progressive metal, grindcore, and hardcore helped position the band as one of the preeminent metal acts of the early 21st century." The band's earlier material such as the EP Lifesblood was described as "In the Eyes of God-era Today Is the Day [...] butting heads with the more technically demanding school of Relapse-style hardcore/metalcore (e.g., Dillinger Escape Plan or Burnt by the Sun, although Mastodon is much less hyper)."[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r564623|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]

Bassist Troy Sanders stated about their musical style:

{{cquote|We don't consider ourselves a metal band. We recognize there is a lot of metal in us, but we also want to believe we have a lot of rock 'n' roll in us, and we have a lot of progressive rock in us, we have bits and pieces of thrash and punk, and psychedelic-ness sprinkled throughout. A lot of times for me personally, just having the metal tag itself seems kind of limiting on us because we have such an appreciation for all styles of music and we like to incorporate bits and pieces of those into our songs. But we also recognize all the different subgenres and the millions of times people say, "Oh, what do they sound like?" and you say something, I understand that. But, it doesn't affect how we create anything at all.{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/mastodon-troy-sanders-new-album-once-more-round-the-sun/ |title=Mastodon's Troy Sanders Talks 'Once More 'Round the Sun' |website=Loudwire |date=2014-05-13 |access-date=2014-06-25}}}}

Scott Kelly of Neurosis has appeared to perform guest vocals on a track on every Mastodon album from Leviathan (2004) to the compilation Medium Rarities (2020).

Mastodon's musical style has evolved much from their earliest pre-Remission releases to The Hunter. Their early work is significantly heavier and more abrasive than their later work, primarily or exclusively using harsh vocals, more distorted instruments, and more atypical song structures. The release of Mastodon's third studio album, Blood Mountain, which incorporates both clean and harsh vocals, marked a shift in the vocal styles used, with subsequent albums favoring clean vocals almost exclusively.

Over its first four albums, Mastodon had specific concepts in mind, specifically the classical elements of fire, water, earth, and aether.{{cite web |last=Khan-Anselmo |first=Alexandra |title=A chat with Mastodon |url=http://www.exberliner.com/articles/brann-dailor-of-mastodon/ |website=Exberliner |date=January 27, 2012 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |archive-date=May 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517041152/http://www.exberliner.com/articles/brann-dailor-of-mastodon |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last=Stosuy |first=Brandon |title=Mastodon: The Hunter |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15880-the-hunter/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=July 19, 2016}}

Remission does not deal with a particular theme but it is loosely based on the theme of fire. Songs like "Crusher Destroyer", "Where Strides the Behemoth" and "Ol'e Nessie" deal with the theme of fictional creatures.

Leviathan is about the novel Moby-Dick. It centers around the main characters and their thoughts during the story.{{cite web |url=http://litreactor.com/columns/white-whale-holy-grail |title=White Whale, Holy Grail: Moby Dick and Mastodon's Leviathan |website=LitReactor |access-date=June 25, 2014}}

Blood Mountain is about a man who is searching for the "Crystal Skull", which is on top of the "Blood Mountain". According to bassist Troy Sanders, "It's about climbing up a mountain and the different things that can happen to you when you're stranded on a mountain, in the woods, and you're lost. You're starving, hallucinating, running into strange creatures. You're being hunted. It's about that whole struggle."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/41025/beware-of-the-cysquatch-on-new-mastodon-album |magazine=Chart |title=Beware Of The Cysquatch On New Mastodon Album |date=April 26, 2006 |access-date=August 7, 2009 |first=Eva |last=Lampert |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005011540/http://www.chartattack.com/news/41025/beware-of-the-cysquatch-on-new-mastodon-album |archive-date=October 5, 2010}}

Crack the Skye deals with many different themes. The title, as well as some lyrical content, is a tribute to Skye, the younger sister of drummer Brann Dailor, who committed suicide at the age of fourteen. Themes touched on within the album include "dark magic(k), astral travelling and the role of Rasputin in the downfall of Czarist Russia".{{cite web |last=Blackeney |first=Jerome |title=Review of Mastodon's 'Crack the Skye' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/h5mq |website=BBC Music |access-date=July 31, 2012}}

The Hunter does not deal with an entire concept like their earlier work. The title is a tribute to Hinds' brother, Brad Hinds, who died of a heart attack on December 4, 2010, while hunting.{{cite web |url=http://www.mastodonrocks.com/biography |title=Biography |website=Mastodon Rocks |access-date=September 10, 2018

|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914173851/http://www.mastodonrocks.com/biography |archive-date=September 14, 2013}}

Once More 'Round the Sun, like its predecessor, is not a concept album. It features themes such as relationships, struggles, hardships and addiction. The album was based on the various events that took place in each band member's lives the year before the album release.

Emperor of Sand mainly deals with the themes of death and survival and is about a desert wanderer faced with a death sentence. The lyrics were inspired by the friends and family members of the band who were diagnosed with cancer.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/inside-mastodons-dark-emotional-new-lp-w456143 |title=Inside Mastodon's Dark, Emotional New LP |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Steve |last=Appleford |date=December 19, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2017}}

Hushed and Grim has to do with grief, guilt, and the afterlife. Mastodon pays tribute to the memory of longtime friend and manager Nick John with their first ever double-album and a surrounding death mythology. According to drummer and co-vocalist Brann Dailor, in this mythology “When you die, your soul inhabits the heart of a living tree. You have to experience the seasons the way that a tree does through a whole calendar year. That’s the way you have to say goodbye to the natural world. And in that time, you reflect on the pillars of the life that you lived. You get to atone for things that you’ve done.”{{cite magazine |url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/how-collective-grief-shaped-mastodons-most-grandiose-gut-wrenching-album-ever/ |title=How collective grief shaped Mastodon's most grandiose, gut-wrenching album ever |magazine=Kerrang |first=Sam |last=Law |date=September 2021}}

File:Mastodon live 2006.jpg

Artist Paul Romano was responsible for all of the band's album art and backdrops up to 2011. The artwork for the band's fifth studio album The Hunter was made by AJ Fosik, a woodcarver who was also responsible for the backdrop the band used live at the time. Oakland-based artist Skinner, who, in his own words, specializes in "psychedelic nightmare paintings", has taken the reins on Once More 'Round the Sun. "It's going to be a work of art for sure. It's going to be very eye-opening", said bassist Troy Sanders before the album's release. "Very striking. It's from another dimension, and a lot of our music is geared toward that idea—taking you to another planet on songs. It's out there, and I think it's incredible."

Following their first tours in the early 2000s, Mastodon have performed at many major festivals such as Download, Roskilde, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Big Day Out, Rock Werchter, Pinkpop, Metaltown, Ottawa Bluesfest, Sonisphere and Soundwave. When performing the band has traditionally had a fairly lo-fi visual presentation. However, during the band's "Crack The Skye Tour" (2009–2010), they used a large screen behind the drumkit with an elaborate visual presentation.

The "sludge/stoner/alternative metal outfit" Mastodon, as labeled by AllMusic, is "one of the preeminent metal acts of the early 21st century".{{Cite web |first=James Christopher |last=Monger |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mastodon-mn0000382565/biography |title=Mastodon Biography |website=Allmusic}} The BBC stated about Mastodon: "They might be bonkers of lyric, full of fantasy mumbo jumbo, but the band is unashamedly committed to its complex-of-composition craft, and the results have frequently stunned ever since their 2002 debut, Remission. They are the most ambitious, most fearless, most fun heavy metal band to have breached the mainstream since the genre oozed its way out of The Midlands in the 1970s."{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/x2wx |title=Review of Mastodon - The Hunter |website=BBC Music |date=September 14, 2011 |access-date=September 24, 2011}} Alternative Press has stated: "Mastodon are one of the all-time great hard rock groups."{{cite web |last=Ferris |first=D. X. |url=http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/mastodon_the_hunter |title=File Under: Heavier than metal |website=Alternative Press.com |access-date=September 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426195328/http://www.altpress.com/reviews/entry/mastodon_the_hunter |archive-date=April 26, 2016 |url-status=dead }} Rolling Stone stated: "Mastodon are a bunch of doom-haunted, myth-obsessed, meat-and-potatoes Southern badasses who have become the most important new band in metal."{{cite magazine |last=Hermes |first=Will |title=Mastodon: Crack the Skye |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/crack-the-skye-20090317 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 17, 2009 |access-date=February 4, 2017 |quote=Mastodon are a bunch of doom-haunted, myth—obsessed, meat—and—potatoes Southern badasses who have become the most important new band in metal.}} Playboy{{Cite web|title=Thrashing Outside Genre Lines: How Mastodon's Experimentation Reaffirms Metal in 2018|url=https://www.playboy.com/read/mastodon|website=www.playboy.com|language=en-US|access-date=May 22, 2020}} wrote: "one of Mastodon’s greatest talents: the ability to take traditional metal fans along with them into other musical realms, and also appeal to more mainstream rock fans but give them some doses of metal."

Current members

• Brann Dailor – drums, percussion (2000–present), backing vocals (2005–present), lead vocals (2008–present)
• Bill Kelliher – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2000–present)
• Troy Sanders – bass, lead and backing vocals (2000–present)
• Nick Johnston – lead guitar, backing vocals (2025–present)

Current session and touring musicians

• João "Rasta" Nogueira – keyboards, synthesizers (2021–present)

Former members

• Brent Hinds – lead guitar, lead and backing vocals (2000–2025)
• Eric Saner – lead vocals (2000)

Former session and touring musicians

• Derek Mitchka – keyboards (2009–2011)
• Mike Keneally – keyboards (2016){{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj4cbYAWUqg&t=3738s | title=Mastodon – the Making of Emperor of Sand [Full Documentary] | website=YouTube | date=December 2017 }}
• Ben Eller – lead guitar, backing vocals (2025)

Timeline

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{{Main|Mastodon discography}}

Studio albums

• Remission (2002)
• Leviathan (2004)
• Blood Mountain (2006)
• Crack the Skye (2009)
• The Hunter (2011)
• Once More 'Round the Sun (2014)
• Emperor of Sand (2017)
• Hushed and Grim (2021)

Danish Metal Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2009 || Crack the Skye || Best International Metal Album{{Cite web|url=https://metalitalia.com/articolo/danish-metal-awards-i-vincitori/|title = DANISH METAL AWARDS: I vincitori}} || {{won}}

|-

{{end}}

Grammy Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

| {{grammy|2007}} || "Colony of Birchmen" || Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance || {{nom}}

|-

| {{grammy|2012}} || "Curl of the Burl"{{cite web |url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees?year=2011&genre=31 |title=2011 – 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees And Winners: Rock Field |website=The Recording Academy |date=November 30, 2011}}

|| Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance || {{nom}}

|-

| {{grammy|2015}} || "High Road" || Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance || {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan="2"| {{grammy|2018}} || Emperor of Sand || Grammy Award for Best Rock Album || {{nominated}}

|-

| "Sultan's Curse" || Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance || {{won}}

|-

| {{grammy|2022}} || "Pushing the Tides" || Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance || {{nominated}}

{{end}}

Kerrang! Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2009 || "Oblivion" || Best Video || {{won}}

|-

| 2012 || The Hunter{{cite web |title=Kerrang! Awards Winners 2012 |url=http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2012/06/the_kerrang_awards_fuelled_by_1.html |website=Kerrang! |access-date=August 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610013044/http://www.kerrang.com/blog/2012/06/the_kerrang_awards_fuelled_by_1.html |archive-date=June 10, 2012}} || Best Album || {{won}}

{{end}}

Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

| rowspan="2" | 2007 || Blood Mountain || Album of the Year{{Cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/lamb-of-god-iron-maiden-slayer-machine-head-among-golden-gods-nominees/ |title=Lamb of God, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Machine Head Among 'Golden Gods' Nominees - Blabbermouth.net |access-date=June 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626143729/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/lamb-of-god-iron-maiden-slayer-machine-head-among-golden-gods-nominees/ |archive-date=June 26, 2019 |url-status=dead }} || {{nom}}

|-

| Brent Hinds & Bill Kelliher || Golden Gods Award for Best Shredder{{Cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bullet-for-my-valentine-booed-at-metal-hammer-golden-gods-awards/ |title=Bullet for My Valentine Booed at Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards - Blabbermouth.net |access-date=June 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815133317/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bullet-for-my-valentine-booed-at-metal-hammer-golden-gods-awards/ |archive-date=August 15, 2019 |url-status=dead }} || {{won}}

|-

| 2012 || The Hunter{{cite web |title="Metal Hammer" Golden Gods Awards Winners 2012 |url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/metal-hammer-golden-gods-awards-2012-best-album/ |website=Metal Hammer |access-date=August 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828015058/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/metal-hammer-golden-gods-awards-2012-best-album/ |archive-date=August 28, 2012}} || Golden Gods Award for Best Album || {{won}}

|-

| 2017 || Mastodon || Best Live Band {{cite web |url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/winners-of-metal-hammer-golden-gods-2017-revealed |title=Winners of Metal Hammer Golden Gods 2017 Revealed |date=June 12, 2017 |website=Metal Injection.net |access-date=September 10, 2018}} || {{won}}

{{end}}

Metal Storm Awards

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2004 || Leviathan || Best Alternative Metal Album {{cite web |url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2004 |title=Metal Storm Awards 2004 |website=Metal Storm.net |access-date=September 10, 2018}} || {{won}}

|-

| rowspan="2" | 2009 || Crack the Skye || Best Alternative Metal Album || {{won}}

|-

| "Divinations" || Best Video{{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2009 |title=Metal Storm Awards 2009 |website=Metal Storm.net |access-date=September 10, 2018}} || {{nom}}

|-

| 2011 || The Hunter || Best Sludge/Stoner Metal Album {{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2011|title=Metal Storm Awards 2011 |website=Metal Storm.net|access-date=September 10, 2018}} || {{won}}

|-

| 2014 || Once More 'Round the Sun || Best Sludge/Stoner Metal Album {{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2014|title=Metal Storm Awards 2014 |website=Metal Storm.net|access-date=September 10, 2018}} || {{won}}

|-

| 2017 || Emperor of Sand || Best Progressive Metal Album{{cite web|url=http://www.metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2017 |title=Metal Storm Awards 2017 |website=Metal Storm.net|access-date=January 22, 2020}} || {{nom}}

|-

|2021 || Hushed & Grim || Best Progressive Metal Album{{cite web | url=https://metalstorm.net/awards/archive.php?year=2021 | title=Metal Storm Awards 2021 }} || {{won}}

{{end}}

Revolver Golden Gods

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2012 || Brann Dailor || Golden Gods Award for Best Drummer || {{nom}}

{{end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Mastodon (band)}}

• [http://www.mastodonrocks.com/ Official website]
• {{AllMusic}}
• {{discogs artist}}
• {{MusicBrainz artist}}

{{Mastodon|state=expanded}}

{{Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance}}

{{Authority control}}

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