Mastodon, 24th June 2026, Hades, Copenhell Festival, Denmark

Photo: Goran www.urbanmescalero.com

Twenty-five years after co-founding Mastodon, singer and guitarist Brent Hinds departed the band in 2025 and, just a few months later, tragically lost his life in a traffic accident.
The Atlanta, Georgia band decided to carry on after Hinds’ departure, and now, joined by Nick Johnston, they have announced a new album. But Hinds’ shadow still hangs heavily over Mastodon, and even the first single from the forthcoming album, “Your Ghost Again,” is clearly inspired by him.

But how has it affected their live performance?

Following a mighty display of Iron Maiden’s power few minutes before, the band took the stage after the obligatory “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne had finished blasting through the speakers.

Mastodon opened with the two songs that kick off their 2014 album Once More ‘Round the Sun. The sound was solid, but it improved noticeably by the time the band dedicated “Your Ghost Again” to Hinds and followed it with the blistering duo of “Crystal Skull” from Hushed and Grim and “Black Tongue” from what was something of their broader commercial breakthrough album, 2011’s The Hunter.

Mastodon have always been one of those bands that have had a hard time matching the greatness of their music in a live setting. It has never been about a lack of skill or energy, but somehow they have never truly impressed on stage in the same way they have countless times on their studio albums.

Last night’s show was no exception. Throughout the set, the band never really locked in with the crowd, and if you have a hard time getting the audience going during “Blood and Thunder” or the aforementioned “Black Tongue,” then something is clearly missing.

Hinds’ presence was missed as well, and especially his vocals, which left Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor alone to handle the main vocal duties. That being said, Johnston did a good job playing his part, and his stage presence struck the right balance.

It’s a pity that expectations going into a Mastodon show are not as high as they should be, considering the colossal strength of their back catalogue, but that has been the case for years. It’s also a pity that last night’s performance did not prove us wrong.

Perhaps some other time.

SETLIST:

1. Tread Lightly
2. The Motherload
3. The Crux
4. Your Ghost Again
5. Crystal Skull
6. Black Tongue
7. Megalodon
8. I Am Ahab
9. More Than I Could Chew
10. Crack the Skye
11. Mother Puncher
12. Steambreather
13. Blood and Thunder