Progressive fusion virtuoso Nick Johnston has officially joined Mastodon as their touring guitarist following the departure of founding member Brent Hinds — and according to Johnston, it all began with a casual coffee meet-up. In a recent interview with Guitar World, Johnston detailed how a chance hangout with Dethklok creator Brendon Small and a surprise appearance by Mastodon drummer Brann Dailor sparked a friendship that eventually led to him getting the call to join one of metal's most revered bands.
"I used to hang out with Brendon Small when I was trying to understand the music industry," Johnston recalled. "One day, Brann came along to one of our coffee hangs, and we hit it off." From there, a bond was formed that ultimately paved the way for Johnston to step in during a pivotal moment for the band. "Brann told me I'd be the first person he'd call if anything ever came up. That's what he did. We've become really close over the last few months."
Johnston's entrance into Mastodon comes on the heels of Brent Hinds' sudden and highly publicized exit in March 2025 after a 25-year tenure. The band released a statement calling the decision mutual and respectful, but Hinds later stirred controversy by publicly stating, "I won't miss being in a band with horrible humans." The sharp words contrasted the band's public diplomacy and hinted at deeper creative and personal rifts. Guitarist Bill Kelliher likened the split to "the end of a marriage," acknowledging that after decades together, people can grow apart.
Immediately following Hinds' exit, Mastodon pressed on with their schedule, performing at Tool's Live In The Sand festival with YouTuber Ben Eller filling in on short notice. While fans speculated over who might permanently replace Hinds, few predicted Johnston, a solo artist known for his technical, melodic guitar work and collaborations with drumming elites like Gavin Harrison, Marco Minnemann, Thomas Lang, and Benny Greb.
But for Mastodon, chemistry was just as important as chops. "You gotta be somebody who we all get along with and can stand the true test of time," Kelliher explained. Johnston, it seems, fits that mold.
"I think Brann felt like he already knew me through the musicians I've worked with," Johnston said, referencing his previous work with prog titans. Onstage, he's already proving to be a natural fit. His live debut with Mastodon came at Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus, Ohio, and fan response has been overwhelmingly positive. Whether or not he becomes a permanent member remains unclear, but the synergy between Johnston and the band is already tangible.
Mastodon's summer tour with Periphery and Coheed & Cambria continues, but the band isn't just focused on the road. According to a heartfelt reflection from Brann Dailor following their set at Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's farewell show on July 5, the band is already channeling that emotional momentum into the studio. "Music never felt so powerful," Dailor wrote, noting that Mastodon's next recording is now underway. This new album will mark the band's first-ever release without Brent Hinds.
Dailor's message also served as a love letter to the heavy metal legacy that shaped Mastodon's career. "Thank you Black Sabbath for giving us a space to be creative and the greatest genre of music there is," he wrote. "Ozzy Osbourne, I love you. You mean the world to me."
But will Johnston be featured on the new Mastodon record? That remains to be seen.
