Metal band Mastodon has unveiled a limited edition vinyl record containing actual 10,000-year-old fossils from the prehistoric animal that shares its name.
The band announced the unusual release on October 9, revealing that fossilized mastodon teeth had been ground into dust and incorporated into a special pressing of their latest album, Marrow Deep.
The album originally launched on August 28, 2026, but the new version has been limited to just 170 copies, with fans required to enter a raffle for the chance to purchase one.
Mastodon turns prehistoric fossils into $150 vinyl records
According to the band, the idea began roughly 20 years ago when a fan gifted them a large bag of fossilized mastodon teeth.
The fossils were not suitable for display, leaving the musicians unsure what to do with them until bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders suggested incorporating them into a vinyl record.
“About 20 years ago, we were given a giant bag of mastodon teeth… not display-worthy fossils, but a collection of teeth that left us wondering what to do with them,” the band explained.
“Troy eventually had the wild idea to turn them into powder and press them directly into a vinyl record.”
Making that happen required help from several organizations, including Loma Vista Recordings, Waxworks Records, and the University of Georgia’s geology department.
Researchers helped grind the fossils into particles fine enough to be incorporated into the vinyl without affecting its sound quality or playability.
The band then visited the pressing plant to personally sprinkle the fossil dust onto each record and help manufacture the limited edition release.
“We’ve wanted to do something creative with the Mastodon bones for two decades, and with our new album titled Marrow Deep, the timing was perfect to contrast 10,000-year-old fossils with a 2026 Mastodon record,” the band said.
Each copy of the Bone Dust Edition costs $150 and includes two vinyl records and a certificate of authenticity.
Due to the limited amount of fossil material available, only 170 copies have been produced.
Fans in the US, Canada, and Mexico can enter a raffle through Loma Vista Recordings until October 12 at 12 PM ET for a chance to purchase one.
Winners will be selected at random, with successful entrants automatically charged for their copy. Those who are not selected will not be charged. The records are expected to begin shipping around October 16.
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