Mastodon in Boston, MA – September 23, 2026

Few things are guaranteed in life, but Mastodon is among the select few that are. The ATL metal band is back with their ninth studio album, Marrow Deep, a punishing force packed with features that elevate the listening experience. Mastodon is currently on tour with Deafheaven and Alcest to celebrate this new record, and stopped at the House of Blues in Boston on Wednesday, September 23rd.

“If I remember correctly, this little building used to be called the Avalon,” said singer/bassist Troy Sanders. He reflects on the band’s tenure and past experiences in Boston, thanking the crowd for still showing up after all these years. The Avalon closed nearly two decades ago, but the story remains the same that Mastodon is one of those bands that persists, despite the hardships of life. Marrow Deep is the band’s first record since the loss of former guitarist, Brent Hinds, as well as drummer/singer Brann Dailor’s mother. The record shows that grief doesn’t always have to be melancholy, and the live show only perpetuates that.

The first track of the album, “Barbarian’s Blood,” starts off the set and the band immediately snaps into the tightest performance; unsurprising given the band’s tenure, but welcomed nonetheless. The band performed a track from nearly every record in their catalog, catering to fans new and old – from “March of the Fire Ants” to “Snakes for Dinner,” each track was given the same intensity and integrity. For the latter half of the set, Baroness singer/guitarist, John Baizley, joined Mastodon to round out the sound on mega-hits like “Oblivion” and “Blood and Thunder.” Baizley was not originally intended to join the band, but after a smaller, intimate show at the Earl in Atlanta, the band invited him to participate in the entire tour.

As if Mastodon wasn’t reason enough to attend, the openers Deafheaven and Alcest really made your ticket count. Alcest, hailing from France, performed an oddly beautiful set of just five songs that led perfectly into the blistering marathon that is Deafheaven. Forty minutes of pure chaos ensued once the black metal/shoegaze ensemble took the stage. Vocalist George Clarke commanded the crowd and was drenched in sweat within minutes of the first song, “Incidental I,” and oftentimes looked like he was drenched in blood when the red lights hit just right. The gorgeous catharsis of both bands’ sets paved the way for Mastodon to rip through their staggering two-hour set, rounding out a long night of extreme music.

Mastodon continues on the “Poisonous Weapons” tour through Canada and the west coast. The new album, Marrow Deep, is available now on Loma Vista Recordings.

Alcest

Deafheaven

Mastodon