Mastodon's upcoming album won't feature former guitarist Brent Hinds, Kelliher won't move to lead

Mastodon's upcoming "supernatural horror"-themed album will not feature contributions from former vocalist/lead guitarist Brent Hinds. Hinds recently parted ways with the band after spending 25 years with the group.

In a new interview with Guitar World, guitarist Bill Kelliher confirmed that the record will consist solely of material written by himself, drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor, and bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders.

When asked if Kelliher will transfer to the lead guitarist role, replied:

We'll have to see. My lead guitar skills are decent enough – but whoever we get is going to be light years ahead of me. So it depends on the part and the song and if there are certain leads that I write that I want to play.

If the other guitarist is like, 'Hey, I wrote this,' and I like it better than what I wrote, we'll use his part. I definitely write for the best of the song and what's best for the band.

I don't get my feelings hurt when someone's like, 'That riff is not that great.' It's like, 'Okay, I'll just write another one or change it.' That goes for leads as well. So, as long as it's what's best for the song, it doesn't matter who plays it. As long as it fits, it's awesome.

Mastodon are due to head out on a tour in May and June with Coheed and Cambria and Periphery. 

05/10 Salem, VA @ Salem Civic Center
05/11 Knoxville, TN @ Knoxville Civic Coliseum
05/13 Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater 
05/15 Wilmington, NC @ Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park 
05/16 Charleston, SC @ Firefly Distillery
05/17 Augusta, GA @ William B. Bell Auditorium *
05/19 Estero, FL @ Hertz Arena
05/21 Huntsville, AL @ Orion Amphitheater 
05/22 Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena 
05/24 Virginia Beach, VA @ The Dome  
05/25 Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
05/26 Saratoga Springs, NY @ Broadview Stage at SPAC
05/28 Portland, ME @ Cross Insurance Arena
05/30 Syracuse, NY @ Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview
05/31 Scranton, PA @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain 
06/01 Youngstown, OH @ Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
06/03 Fort Wayne, IN @ Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
06/04 Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center Arena
06/06 Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
06/07 Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center 
06/08 Waukee, IA @ Vibrant Music Hall

* = No Mastodon