Mastodon’s Troy Sanders Says Pandemic Has Given His Creativity a Boost

Troy Sanders (Mastodon, Killer Be Killed, Gone is Gone) was our recent guest on The MetalSucks Podcast to discuss Killer Be Killed’s second release, Reluctant Hero, and some updates on his other bands, among other topics.

While 2020 has been an exceedingly difficult year for most of us, Troy has been able to find solace in the break the pandemic provided from Mastodon’s non-stop touring schedule, harnessing that time off for creative endeavors for all three of his bands. He explained:

“2020, as far as creativity and musical output, has been my favorite year ever only because once the year of Mastodon tours got wiped out, I was able to go to Los Angeles and Phoenix and complete the Killer Be Killed record, and I was able to spend all the time I needed to write lyrics and record vocals for the Gone Is Gone album.

“All the while, I spent every other week of 2020 up in Atlanta with my dudes working on new Mastodon material so I feel great about all that.

“Without sounding like a jerk, because I know a lot of people are having a much tougher time. I’m not making any money this year but I’m able to get a lot of creativity, and those juices have flown and that makes me feel good.”

Mastodon guitarist Bill Kelliher also recently spoke about the band’s lack of income, revealing in a chat with The Quarantinecast that he and the other members are collecting unemployment.

Mastodon are set to enter the studio this month at their very own, new recording facility. The new album may lean in a “doom” direction.

You can listen to our full chat with Troy right here or below.