Brent Hinds Returns to the Stage with Fiend Without A Face

Ex- Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds certainly isn’t wasting any time.

Just two weeks after his departure from Mastodon was made public, the guitarist and former vocalist has stepped back into the spotlight. This time it was with his long-running side project, Fiend Without A Face. The band played a hometown set in Atlanta, Georgia over the weekend. This marked Hinds’ first time back on stage since news of the split broke.

Mastodon’s announcement came without much context. No statement from Hinds. No official word on why he left. The band simply confirmed he was out, leaving fans to piece things together. Since then, it’s been radio silence until now.

Fiend Without A Face is a far cry from the prog-metal complexity of Mastodon. The project blends surf rock, psychobilly and twangy southern weirdness. It’s something Hinds has dipped into for years in between Mastodon tours. Friday’s show was rough-edged and loose in all the right ways, with Hinds grinning through a set that felt more garage party than grand return.

Before the gig, Hinds broke his silence on his now private Instagram account. He called the night “exactly what I needed” and thanked fans for sticking with him. It’s not much, but it’s the first public hint that he’s not dwelling on whatever went down behind the scenes.

While Mastodon fans are still wondering what’s next for the band, Hinds seems ready to keep moving. Whether that means more Fiend Without A Face shows or something entirely different, he’s made it clear he’s not done playing.

There’s still no official word from Mastodon on who will replace Hinds or if they’ll replace him at all. But with their legacy tied so closely to his sound, any next step will come with scrutiny. For now, though, Hinds is getting on with things as if it were business as usual.

You can watch the footage of the performance below.