Mastodon aired their incredible livestream event – Mastodon – Captured Live at the Georgia Aquarium this past week on July 15th, 2021 you can watch the replay through tonight, July 18th. In addition to some deep cuts, and their nautical themed tracks given the setting, the band played a brand new song from their upcoming, as yet untitled, new album. “Skeleton of Splendor” is dedicated to the bands’ late manager Nick John, who died in 2018 from Pancreatic Cancer. In fact the entire new album is dedicated to Nick, as described by Brann Dailor and Troy Sanders.

(Transcribed by www.ghostcultmag.com)

Brann:

“Well, “Skeleton of Splendor”, from the new album, is super personal. You know, it deals with our manager and our friend, Nick John.” 

Troy:

“The dedication and the force of many things behind the scenes of any and all things Mastodon, was our dear friend, and late manager Nick John. And after his passing I was very angry for a long time, as life can be incredibly cruel to some of the best people on earth.”

Brann:

“As far as the new album is concerned, you are not going to find too many songs that don’t deal with that particular tragedy, or that death. For us, it was a huge one of you know, (he was) one of our best friends. And we wouldn’t be where we are, as a band, if it wasn’t for him.”

Troy:

“The magnitude of his passion for us, and my gratitude towards him fully hit me at the same time. And I was very inspired to put pen to paper and write what I hoped would be a heartfelt thank you to him.” 

Brann:

“He deserves more than that song. He deserves every song, and he will probably factor into every recording we do as a band from now on. And, you know, “Skeleton of Splendor” I think is the one for me, that is currently closest to home to what we are experiencing. I wish he was here to see the Aquarium gig. It’s so cool. He’d be so excited. The person we most want to hear the song, and he can’t hear it. It sucks, but, yeah.”