Biography

Atlanta's Mastodon formed in 1999 around the talents of guitarist Bill Kelliher, drummer Brann Dailor, bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, and guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds.
They have developed into one of the most original and influential American metal bands to appear in the 21st century thanks to their wide-angle progressive approach encompasses stoner and sludge metal,
punishing hardcore and metalcore, neo-psych, death metal, and more.
The group's playing style incorporates technically complex guitar riffs, lyric hooks, long, melodic instrumental passages, and intricate, jazz-influenced drumming with syncopated time signatures. 
Change and evolution (Mastodon's raison d'être) are as integral to their musical identity as their personnel.
			
Their 2nd album, 2004's Leviathan, was a concept set based on Moby Dick, Herman Melville's iconic novel of whaling and obsession, and became the band's commercial breakthrough.
The record is regarded critically as one of the most important albums in genre history.
2011's conceptual The Hunter reflected the band's embrace of prog; it channelled disparate influences ranging from King Crimson to Opeth.
2017's Emperor of Sand debuted inside the Top Ten and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Album - the single "Sultan's Curse" took one home for Best Metal Performance.
In 2021, Mastodon returned to proper studio recording with the double-length Hushed and Grim, and in 2024, they teamed up with Lamb of God on the single "Floods of Triton."

Away from the music the group featured in hit HBO TV show Game of Thrones as wildlings whilst also providing a piece called "White Walker" for the soundtrack.
			
~ James Christopher Monger & John D. Buchanan, Rovi