Mastodon launched their spring tour in Chesterfield, MI, last night (May 8), putting to bed weeks of anticipation for who they'd have as their second guitarist, replacing founding guitarist-vocalist Brent Hinds, who announced his departure from the band back in March.
While YouTuber Ben Eller took on the position when Mastodon played Tool's ill-fated destination festival in the Dominican Republic a couple months ago, an unfamiliar face joined them on stage at the Factory — although his face might be more familiar on this side of the border.
The band have enlisted Rockwood, ON-born, Toronto-based guitarist and songwriter Nick Johnston to fill the role as they make their way across the US with Coheed and Cambria. He's primarily a solo artist, having released six albums of instrumental rock compositions between 2011 and 2024, but the musician has also previously toured with Plini and David Maxim Micic.
Interestingly, Johnston has also played on a number of recordings of songs for other artists — including Periphery, the other opening act on this leg of the Coheed and Cambria tour — and released his own signature guitar through Schecter in 2016.
Check out some fan-shot footage of the Canadian's debut performing with Mastodon below.