Mastodon’s Brann Dailor discussed the band’s decision to release a mini-documentary about their relationship with the late Brent Hinds. In the film, the band members opened up about Hinds’ emotional exit from Mastodon shortly before his death. The group wanted to address this history before releasing a new album.
Dailor said, “I had huge question marks about putting out ‘The Mastodon In The Room’. I was, like, ‘That’s pretty personal.’ And Brent’s not here to defend himself. And so I didn’t like that part of it either, and I talked about that with everybody. I was just, like, sort of on the fence about it.”
“But we left our fans with all these questions because Brent obviously attacked us in the press. And I knew that that was coming, and I address that in the video as well. And I knew that he didn’t mean that. I don’t know how many times I had heard him late at night, with a few, say some ridiculous shit, and I’d just be, like, ‘You don’t feel that way at all, but whatever. Okay.’ But we couldn’t come out and be, like, ‘Oh, R.I.P., Brent. We love you. And here’s our new record,’ and that’s it.”
“I don’t think we threw him under the bus at all. And we didn’t even touch the tip of the iceberg with that whole very complex relationship.”
“I know he was having a hard time [after we parted ways], but trying over and over again for 10 years plus, it does a number on yourself. And I’m, like, ‘I’m a person, too.’ What am I supposed to do? What are we supposed to do? It’s kind of, like, forcing our hand, and then at some point you need to protect yourself and your own mental health.”
“Obviously we just need a break [from him] or something. And I really honestly thought that — I don’t know if it would be a year, I don’t know if it would be two years or whatever happened, but that we would eventually squash it and just be, like, ‘Dude, what was all that bullshit?’ Hugs and kisses. And I don’t know if we would’ve jammed again, but we probably would’ve, I would imagine. But it just sucks that we won’t have that opportunity.”
The release of the documentary followed a period of intense grief and transition for the band. The project allowed the surviving members to address the complex history and sudden loss of their longtime bandmate.
Brent Hinds spent 25 years writing and performing with Brann Dailor, Bill Kelliher, and Troy Sanders. The band dismissed him in March 2025. This split ended a creative partnership that had defined the group’s signature sound for over two decades.
Hinds died in a motorcycle collision in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 20, 2025, at the age of 51. He was riding a Harley-Davidson when he collided with a BMW SUV. Police reports indicated that the driver of the SUV failed to yield while making a turn.
The band released the 30-minute short film “The Mastodon in the Room” in July 2026. The documentary reflects on Hinds’ departure and the grief that followed his sudden death. It also addresses his struggles with substance abuse and the band’s efforts to help him before the split.
The release came as the band prepared to move forward with their new album, “Marrow Deep.” The surviving members wanted to be honest with their fans about the painful split and the loss of their friend. They chose to address the situation openly rather than pretending everything was fine.
