According to this Blabbermouth story, legendary producer Brendan O’Brien (Rage Against the Machine, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam) will be producing the next MASTODON album. This is a departure for the band, which up until now has only worked with Matt Bayles (known for his own legendary work with Botch, ISIS and Minus the Bear).

This should be a move for the best. Mastodon has never been a band to stay in a comfort zone. A new producer will be a suitable challenge for them, and O’Brien can add a nice “big sound” element to their insane prog-metal tantrums. Because let’s be honest, Mastodon isn’t that far from Rush any more.

The Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival pre-sale starts this Friday (4/4) at 10am local venue time. The Summer tour will run through July and August and feature Slipknot, Disturbed, Dragonforce, Mastodon, Underoath, Machine Head, Walls of Jericho, Black Tide, Suicide Silence, The Red Chord, Five Finger Death Punch, 36 Crazyfists and Airbourne. The Syndicate is proud to be the radio partner of the inaugural run of the festival.

All pre-sale tickets are discounted from the regular on-sale price, but the real bargain is a 4-pack of lawn tickets for just $79.99!

Tickets will be available via the Official Mayhem Fan Community on Friday April 4th at 10am local venue time. his is your chance to make sure you won’t miss out on the hottest rock tour of the summer.

In addition to tickets you’ll also get the benefit of these incentives:

• Early Entry: Every pre-sale ticket buyer will receive passes to enter the venue up to 15 minutes before the general public.
• Option to buy the Limited Edition Mayhem T-Shirt: This is the inaugural Mayhem Fest, make sure you get a memento to show that you were there.
• 1 Grand Prize Winner will receive an electric guitar and 2 meet and greet passes to get it signed by the bands!
• 1 Winner per show will receive 2 VIP passes.
• Add a discounted Revolver magazine subscription for only $10.

Visit the fan community at www.mayhemfest.com now to hear tracks from Mayhem bands and register for the community so you can get up-to-the-minute news and updates. We’ll pick one person who registers to win a prize pack including a CD from every band on the tour!

Headbanger’s Blog has got the exclusive on MASTODON’s new video for “Sleeping Giant”. The video is some weird Star Wars meets Dune meets Sid and Marty Krofft stuff, and it’s awesome. After you’ve seen it, check out a previous interview where director Roboshobo kind of explains it all.

VIDEO: Mastodon :: “Sleeping Giant”