Mastodon have released “Your Ghost Again”, their new single and one of the first compositions the band has shared since the death of former guitarist Brent Hinds. The release also marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Atlanta group, who are currently working on the follow-up to Hushed and Grim while continuing to redefine their identity after more than two decades together.
The song was written and recorded during a particularly difficult period for the band. In addition to the loss of Hinds, drummer and vocalist Brann Dailor also faced the death of his mother, circumstances that directly influenced the song’s subject matter. However, rather than becoming an exclusively introspective piece, the track retains many of the elements that have defined Mastodon from the beginning: dynamic structures, shifts in intensity, a strong melodic presence and a balance between aggression and atmosphere.
Musically, “Your Ghost Again” finds Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor sharing vocal duties, while Bill Kelliher and new guitarist Nick Johnston develop a guitar approach that combines heavy passages with more elaborate and textured arrangements. Keyboardist João Nogueira adds further sonic layers to a song that works both as an artistic statement and as a preview of the direction the band’s next studio material may take.
The song was produced by Patrik Berger and Kurt Ballou, while the mix was handled by Andrew Scheps. The result is a recording that preserves Mastodon’s characteristic weight while also showing a more open approach to melodic exploration.
In comments shared by the band, Brann Dailor explained that the lyrics revolve around the experience of returning to familiar places after losing someone close. The musician said that during the recording sessions he continued to associate certain spaces with the presence of Hinds and his mother, a feeling that eventually became the conceptual center of the song.
The release of “Your Ghost Again” arrives alongside the announcement of The Poisonous Weapons Tour 2026, an extensive North American run featuring Deafheaven and Alcest as special guests. The tour will begin on September 16 in Orlando, Florida, and will visit cities including Philadelphia, Boston, Brooklyn, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Atlanta and Dallas, among others.
The tour will also serve as an official live introduction for Nick Johnston, who joined the band’s activities following the departure and subsequent death of Brent Hinds. The Canadian guitarist, known for his solo work and collaborations within progressive rock and metal, already appears on the new recording and is part of the group’s current lineup.
Although Mastodon have not yet revealed concrete details about their next studio album, the release of “Your Ghost Again” offers the first significant look at the material the band has been developing in recent months. After one of the most complex periods in their history, the group appears focused on moving into a new creative stage while still acknowledging the impact recent losses have had on both their music and personal lives.
