TROY SANDERS On MASTODON's New Five-Piece Lineup: 'Everyone Is Very Actively Collaborating, Contributing And Writing'

In a new interview with Australia's Everblack podcast, MASTODON singer/bassist Troy Sanders spoke about the band's long-awaited new album, "Marrow Deep", which will arrive on August 28 via Loma Vista Recordings. The LP marks MASTODON's first full-length to feature guitarist Nick Johnston alongside significant contributions from keyboardist João Nogueira. "Marrow Deep" was co-produced by MASTODON at the band's own West End Sound in Atlanta with Patrik Berger (Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX) and Kurt Ballou (HIGH ON FIRE, CONVERGE) and was mixed by Andrew Scheps (Adele, BLACK SABBATH, METALLICA).

Asked how he is feeling about "Marrow Deep" as a whole less than a month prior to the album's release, Troy said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I've been feeling good about it for a long time, because we've been sitting on it for quite a while. Starting back to the beginning of the writing process, and then the actual honing in on the writing, doing all the demos, getting in the studio and recording it for real, and finishing... We finished the record — I don't know — nine or 10 months ago. So we've kind of been living with it from the starting point for quite a while. So, I feel good about it, but in a great way, it's been so long that I don't know how to feel anymore. I'm very ready for it to come out to the world because we've been there since riff one, so the five of us, we like it and we're very proud of it. But it's gotten to that point where we just don't know anymore. So it needs to come out, and hopefully people will dig it."

Regarding the heavier musical direction of "Marrow Deep" compared to its predecessor, 2021's "Hushed And Grim", Troy said: "I think coming off of 'Hushed And Grim', that was the whole lockdown, COVID album. We recorded what turned into a double album. And we had the time to just keep writing and exploring and lengthening songs, and we didn't really edit ourselves whatsoever. So we're very proud of 'Hushed And Grim' as well, but now that that's been out for nearly five years and we toured on it this whole time, I think the writing is a — my drummer Brann [Dailor] calls it a knee-jerk reaction to what we've done and what we've been touring on for the past five years. Without speaking of what direction we wanna go in, it just kind of happens naturally where Bill [Kelliher, MASTODON guitarist] and Brann started riffing very heavy, kind of just turning it back to 'Leviathan' era almost, heavy, meaty, riff-driven songs. So I think it kinda comes naturally. We kinda did that after 'Crack The Skye' in 2008, 2009. The next record was 'The Hunter', and it was just a drastically different album. So I think, looking back at those two transitions, it feels like a natural thing for us to, like, if we just did 'Hushed And Grim', which is a really long, drawn-out, dramatic album, which we're happy and love very much, I think it just made sense to, let's pick up the pace and let's put our rock pants on and get to it…. At least that's what I think what happened which led to the ultimate direction of the 'Marrow Deep' record musically."

Troy also talked about Johnston's contributions to "Marrow Deep" and how they affected the album's overall musical direction.

"[Nick] brought a few songs into the process that he had been working on, and they turned out to be awesome," Troy 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. And on keys, João Nogueira, he was all over this record too. He did record on some 'Hushed And Grim' stuff, but he was fully involved with this one as well. So, it's a very healthy growth, because this is the first time ever we've been a five-piece, and everyone is very actively collaborating, contributing and writing. So, it was awesome energy."

MASTODON will celebrate the "Marrow Deep" release with the upcoming "The Poisonous Weapons Tour", a nationwide run of dates with support from DEAFHEAVEN and ALCEST. Kicking off September 16 in Orlando, the trio of bands will cut their way across the full country before closing out October 24 at Sick New World Dallas.

Founding MASTODON guitarist Brent Hinds departed the band in March 2025. Brent passed away in a motorcycle accident five months later. He was replaced by Johnston.

Since 2000, Hinds had served as lead guitarist and vocalist for MASTODON, alongside Sanders, Dailor and Kelliher.

MASTODON photo by Deathcats