Mastodon’s Brent Hinds: ‘I Don’t Want to Be in a Heavy Metal Band’

Mastodon have become one of the more respected bands in metal, but one of the group's members isn't exactly thrilled with the style of music they play. Guitarist Brent Hinds offered a rather frank opinion on how he feels about metal and it might surprise you.

Speaking with Guitar Player, the guitarist explained, "I never really liked heavy metal in the first place. I came from Alabama playing country music, surf rock, rockabilly and stuff like that. I just went through a phase in my 20s where I thought it was rebellious to play heavy metal."

He goes on to add, "I met [Mastodon bandmates] Brann [Dailor] and Bill [Kelliher] and they were really, really, really into heavy metal. And ever since then, I've been trying to get Mastodon to not be such a heavy metal band, because I f---ing hate heavy metal and I don't want to be in a heavy metal band."

While Mastodon are primarily rooted in metal, the band does provide some outside influences in their music, with elements of prog rock and funk finding their way into the sound.

Hinds also shares his disdain for interviews within the chat, adding that while he's passionate about playing guitar, he's less enthusiastic when it comes to discussing the process and breaking down the technical elements of his playing. The full interview with Mastodon's Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher will be featured in the August 2015 edition of Guitar Player.

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