Progressive metal band Mastodon announced last week that they were parting ways with their longtime guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds. The split came after 25 years and eight studio albums together. The announcement came just days before the band played at Tool’s Live in the Sand Festival in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic over the weekend.
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When the band announced Hinds’ departure, they also announced they planned to keep all future touring and concert obligations. This left fans wondering how they would do so without Hinds. Those fans received their answer when Mastodon took the stage in Punta Cana with Ben Eller.
[RELATED: Famed Metal Band Parts Ways With Lead Singer and Guitarist After 25 Years]
Eller is a guitarist, YouTuber, and longtime Mastodon fan who has posted hundreds of videos that include tutorials, reviews, retrospectives and more. Among those videos were multiple videos about the band, including tutorials on how to play their songs. So, it seems that “Uncle Ben” Eller was more than prepared to take over for Hinds on the guitar. The video above shows that he was also able to provide vocals.
Ben Eller Opens Up About Playing with Mastodon
Earlier today (March 11), Ben Eller took to social media to break his silence about playing with the band. “What an incredible weekend playing with Mastodon as a part of Live in the Sand,” he began. “You guys who have followed me for a while know how much I love this music, so to be asked to play alongside the band is a TRUE honor. I’ve seen your kind and supportive words for me out there, and it means the world to me,” he wrote.
He then thanked his fans for supporting him and thanked the members of the band for trusting him to “get the job done.” “Playing the parts of one of my favorite guitarists ever is no easy task, but it was a joy. Cheers, everyone!” he concluded.
Neither Mastodon nor Eller have confirmed the future of the band. However, the mystery of whether Eller is a permanent fixture in the band will be solved before long. The band is slated to perform with other metal A-listers at Back to the Beginning, Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell event later this year. Additionally, they will play overseas dates with Slayer. Before that, they’ll kick off a North American tour with Coheed and Cambria and Periphery in May.
Featured Image by Medios y Media/Getty Images
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