When Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds departed the band in March 2025, YouTube educator and guitarist Ben Eller stepped in to fill some remarkably large shoes. The transition from devoted fan to performing member happened almost overnight, as Eller was called upon to learn a demanding 17-song set for the band's Dominican Republic show.
"Bill hit me up and asked if I would be good to learn a 17-song set quickly and sub on a gig," Eller recalls. "I was happy to take on the challenge." His connection to Mastodon's music runs deep - he became captivated after seeing their "March of the Fire Ants" video two decades ago and began creating tutorial videos to help others learn their complex material.
The preparation was intense. "Several days of insanely intense listening, transcribing and practicing," Eller explains. "If I wasn't practicing the songs, I was listening to them nonstop." His methodical approach involved playing along with tracks until perfection, studying live footage, and frequent consultations with guitarist Bill Kelliher about specific parts.
Some songs proved particularly challenging, like "Megalodon" with its diverse technical demands and "Ghost of Karelia" with its intricate time signatures. Eller approached Hinds' iconic solos with respect, maintaining signature phrases while adding his own flourishes where appropriate.
For the performance, Eller came prepared with three guitars for different tunings, including his Dunable USA models and a Suhr Alt T. His rig featured carefully selected effects and a Friedman amp borrowed from Kelliher himself.
Despite some technical challenges with in-ear monitors and an amusing tumble during "Spectrelight," Eller's debut performance was well-received. "The energy from the band and the crowd was incredible," he shares. The fan response has been overwhelmingly positive, surprising even Eller himself.
While speculation continues about whether Eller will become a permanent member, he remains diplomatic: "It would be an immense honor to tour with the band... we'll have to wait and see." Meanwhile, he's focusing on his first solo album and continuing his educational content creation.
For Eller, this experience represents a remarkable full-circle moment - from creating Mastodon tutorial videos to performing alongside them. "This experience has meant the world to me," he reflects. "I'm so grateful to Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor and Bill for trusting me to play the music."