Ben Ellerdid something that not many musicians could do: he stepped in and replaced an original member of a band. Sludge metallersMastodonhave unleashed crushing riffs and thunderous rhythms for over 25 years. But in 2025, the group - bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor and guitarist Bill Kelliher - faced something of a bind. On March 7, Mastodon announced that it and founding member Brent Hinds had “mutually decided to part ways.” The problem: Mastodon had an upcoming gig to play, and they were down a guitarist.
Enter “Uncle Ben.” The musician and well-known YouTuber played alongside Mastodon on March 9 at Tool’s Live in the Sand Festival in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. According toSetList.com, Ben and Mastodon ripped through 17 of the group’s hits, including “I am Ahab,” “Megalodon,” and “Blood and Thunder” (from theirMoby Dick-inspired breakthrough album,Leviathan).The group even brought out some old tracks, playing “All the Heavy Lifting” for the first time in a decade. So the question remains: how did Eller go from making guitar tutorials on YouTube to playing with one of the biggest metal bands in the world?
How Ben Eller Wound Up Playing With Mastodon
It Was A Gig 6 Years In The Making
Eller’s gig with Mastodon was a last-minute decision, but he had already been on the band’s radar for a while. “A couple of years ago, Bill [Kelliher] reached out to me via email, saying how much he enjoyed my channel and the Stuff Mastodon Does video I made,” Eller toldGuitar World. In his 2019 video, Ben explained how Mastodon gets its signature sound via specific tuning and equipment, reciting his findings and recommendations with a comical deadpan delivery while also playing bits from “Oblivion,” “Blood and Thunder,” and other songs.
Kelliher found a kindred spirit in Eller, and they stayed in touch. “He’s as much of a gear nut and riff chaser as I am,” Eller toldGuitar World. “We’re constantly sending each other band, pedals, amps, and stuff to check out.” So, with Hinds’s departure, Kelliher contacted Eller about playing with the group at the Live in the Sand festival. “Uncle Ben” was tasked with learning “7 Mastodon songs immediately,” and he got to work.
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Eller didn’t hesitate, viewing the gig as “one of the coolest things I could ever get to be a part of.” But Eller knew the risks. “The backlash could potentially be brutal, especially given how incredible and important of a player Brent has been for the history of the band,” he toldGW. Thankfully, Eller’s appearance was met with “overwhelming” “joy and acceptance instead of the typical metalhead anger and complaints. “I was absolutely unprepared for the level of positivity and kindness I would receive from the fans after the gig,” he said.
What Does This Mean for Mastodon Going Forward?
Brent Hinds Left After 25 Years With The Band
On March 7, Mastodonannouncedthat they and Brent Hinds “have mutually decided to part ways” after 25 “monumental years together… We’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we’ve shared, and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors.” Mastodon also said that their 2025 touring plans “remain intact.” In May, Mastodon will joinCoheed and Cambriafor a joint-headlining tour (with special guestsPeriphery).
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When speaking withGW,Eller didn’t say if he would sub for Hinds for those dates, and Bill Kelliher didn’t say much either when speaking withGuitar Worldafter the Live in the Sand gig. But hedidshare what the group wants in a permanent replacement. “Someone who is easy to get along with, and who really has a desire to play – and can play well,” said Kelliher.
He also emphasized that the player also needs to mesh with the band’s dynamics. “We’ve got to be able to sit down and have a beer with them, go out to dinner with them, you know, feel them out, and verify they’re Mastodon material. Like, can they hang, for sure, but it’s got to be someone who has a unique style, and is very serious about it.”
