Will the Mayhem Festival pick up where Ozzfest left off? We’ll have a good idea Wednesday (July 9) when the massive metal tour kicks off at Auburn’s White River Amphitheatre with a lineup that includes Disturbed, Slipknot, Dragonforce, Mastodon, Machine Head and more on multiple stages.

I’m most excited to see Atlanta prog-metal outfit Mastodon, especially after learning that the band is in the studio with producer Brendan O'Brien this week and may unveil new songs. Singer-bassist Troy Sanders phoned in just before yesterday’s recording session to give me the skinny on the sound his band is toying with this time around.

“We’ve been able to dive in and uproot some of our early ‘70s influences a bit more,” he said, citing early Yes, King Crimson and Pink Floyd. “We’ve been able to tap into broader, more spacious guitar sounds as well as dipping into a bit of psychedelia here and there. Overall, it’s rather dark and creepy. But it’s very energetic and rocking at the same time.”

There’s a good chance fans will get to hear a new song called “Oblivion,” which Sanders described as “very dark and mellow with tons of dark energy.” The new disc doesn’t have a name yet, but he expected it to be out in early 2009. Just click on the links below to listen to more of what he had to say along with clips of Mastodon's massive sound.

Part 1: "Workhorse" -- Mayhem Fest takes over -- "Crystal Skull" -- '70s influences on "dark and creepy" new songs -- "Colony of Birchmen"

Part 2: "Birchmen" -- new song titles and dark matter that dominates the universe -- "Iron Tusk" -- working with producer Brendan O'Brien -- "Blood and Thunder"

Atlanta’s Mastodon – from left, Brann Dailor, Troy Sanders, Brent Hinds (front), Bill Kelliher – will open the main stage at Mayhem Fest next Wednesday (July 9) at Auburn’s White River Amphitheatre.
J. HUBBARD