Misfortune Tellers

A Series of Tragic and Deeply Personal Events Within the Mastodon Camp Serves as the Dark Muse Behind the Group’s Ambitious New Concept Album, Emperor of Sand.

- Joe Bosso

TIME SEEMS TO BE ON MASTODON’S SIDE. TOGETHER NOW FOR 17 YEARS—WITHOUT A SINGLE BLIP IN THEIR LINEUP SINCE THEIR 2002 DEBUT REMISSION—THE ATLANTA-BASED ALT-METAL FOUR-PIECE IS STILL AS TIGHT PERSONALLY AS THEY ARE MUSICALLY.

“It’s our job to stay together,” says singer-guitarist Brent Hinds. “And we’re not married to one another, so that makes it easier.” He lets out a throaty laugh, then elaborates on the band’s lasting chemistry: “I think what helps the most is being adults and respecting each other’s personal space. Plus, we’ve got the same goal, which was to be in an awesome band that takes over the world. My bank account says we’re not quite there yet, but we’re working at it.”