I have seen many bands, and Mastodon is one of my favorites. They brought their A game at The Revolution Concert House on October 7th, 2026, alongside Alcest and Deafheaven. I knew this time around would be different since they, and really all of us, lost Brent Hinds, but I still wanted the experience and to see how they were continuing on. While it was different, it still was beautiful and incredibly Mastodon. Bringing on John Baizley of Baroness was a genius idea; he fits them perfectly and filled an enormous hole as best as he could, given the complex situation. It was an unbelievable, emotional night, and I loved every minute.
The night began with Alcest. A friend introduced me to them before the show, and I was blown away. Seeing them live was thrilling, even more than I expected. These four musicians are impressive and showcase stunning compositions. Behind them on stage were magnificent birds that looked as if they were made of wood, and a screen in the back displayed gorgeous artwork. The two vocalists harmonized exquisitely while playing moody and atmospheric guitar. The drummer and bassist showed extraordinary musicianship throughout the set. I was thoroughly fascinated by this French band, and I hope to see them again.
Next was Deafheaven. I have seen them before, but I had forgotten how much I enjoyed them live. The high-energy set had the vocalist jumping and screaming all up and down the stage the entire show. The lights amplified the motions of all members, who gave it their all. The lights even started to give Meshuggah vibes; at times, it was intense. The screams intensified the venue’s echoes and ignited the crowd’s participation. A group of young boys in the crowd wore button-up shirts and ties. I watched them throughout the night, and I saw the energy shift with Deafheaven. The headbanging began. I watched them form a conga-line mosh pit, a first for me, as the group unraveled as the night went on. Deafheaven always put on a great show, so I encourage you to check them out when they come near you.
I took a deep breath before Mastodon took the stage, trying to prepare myself for the emotions I knew would come. The background displayed the beautiful imagery from the new album Marrow Deep. As the band walked on stage, the crowd erupted. They immediately launched into “Barbarians Blood” flawlessly as the screen turned to an animated skeleton warrior, with crazy lighting. Brann Dailor on drums and João Nogueira on keyboard played on a raised stage, with Troy Sanders on bass, Bill Kelliher on guitar, and Nick Johnston on guitar below. The members below joined Dailor and Nogueira “upstairs” at times throughout the night. A screen under the drums and keyboards, behind the other three, showed the same imagery as the big screen; it brought the whole stage together beautifully. Mastodon played many songs from different albums, including “Black Tongue”, “Steambreather”, “Oblivion”, “Blood and Thunder”, “Mother Puncher”, and “The Czar”, along with many others. John Baizley of Baroness joined them for the second half of the set, starting with “Snakes for Dinner”, and brought the emotions from already intense to over-the-top. As a huge Baroness fan, I couldn’t have thought of a better person to join them on this tour. The night ended magnificently and lovingly. While the stage definitely felt heavy without Hinds, the guys showed they are still here to bring the sincerity and genuineness they have always given. I will forever see them live when they come around, and I am so thankful they are still going after the tragedy they suffered.
Photos by Katarzyna Cepek
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