The remaining core of Mastodon in Bill Kelliher, Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor have shared a poignant tribute to their brother and longtime bandmate, Brent Hinds. 

Compiling archived footage spanning the band's storied career, the candid look at the guitarist is revisited as the remaining three watch on the big screen and offer their commentary on the milestones achieved together. 

The Mastodon in the Room opens with footage from Mastodon's August 21st, 2025 performance from the Alaska State Fair. From the stage, drummer Brann Dailor struggled to process the loss that had only happened the night prior, as the band and the world of heavy music reeled from the tragic loss of Hinds. 

Testimonial footage then shifts to Dailor expressing his grief that remained since. Setting the very human, very emotional tone of the film, Dailor apologizes to the fans for not being able to address the loss in the moment, confiding with a tear that he is "still unpacking it."

Convening at Atlanta's Plaza Theatre, Dailor, Sanders and Kelliher revisit the 25 years of brotherhood that anchored Mastodon. Functioning both as a tribute to Hinds and the music gifted to the world, the film also allows the remaining members to navigate their shared grief, addressing the Mastodon in the room. 

The film also frames an honest depiction of Hinds' legendary partying, including the 2007 Las Vegas altercation that left the guitarist in a coma suffering from a brain hemorrhage. Emphasizing the resilience of the band, Hinds' recovery would also segue into the Crack The Skye sessions, making for the major milestone for the band in what is considered one of their most celebrated, definitive releases. 

The film also tackles the eventual split between Hinds and founding members of Mastodon. Citing the guitarist's difficulty with getting a handle on his partying, the disinterest and decline in Hinds' performance became impossible to ignore. Troy Sanders recalls the March 2025 band meeting in which he read his list of grievances only to have Hinds walk out.

It would be the last time Sanders would ever see Hinds. 

Reaching a powerful conclusion, the film wraps with the band confiding that they had always assumed the split would be another chapter in the story of Mastodon and that the ups and downs of a 25 year brotherhood would eventually course correct - though they never got that chance. 

The Mastodon In the Room is both a sincere tribute to lifelong friend and a real confrontation of grief with no flowery language - only honesty. The film examines the reality of brotherhood and pulls no punches in doing so, making for something truly genuine.