Brent Hinds, co-founder and former lead guitarist of the Grammy-winning heavy metal band Mastodon, died Wednesday night in a motorcycle crash in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 51 years old.
The accident occurred at 11:35 p.m. on August 20 at the intersection of Memorial Drive Southeast and Boulevard Southeast. According to the Atlanta Police Department, Hinds was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound on Boulevard Southeast when he collided with a BMW SUV. Police reported that the woman driving the SUV failed to yield while making a left turn but remained at the scene.
The Fulton County medical examiner’s office confirmed Hinds’ death, listing the cause as multiple blunt force injuries. Emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene, and the investigation remains ongoing.
In a statement posted to their official Instagram page on Friday, Mastodon expressed their grief over the loss. The band described being in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief, calling Hinds a creative force with whom they shared many triumphs and milestones. They indicated they were heartbroken and still processing the loss of someone who helped create music that touched many hearts.
Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 alongside bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor. The Atlanta-based band became one of the most respected groups in heavy metal, known for their complex music that combined progressive rock, alternative and grunge styles. Their hardcore sound quickly gained attention from metal fans, with their follow-up album “Leviathan” elevating the group into the metal mainstream.
Over their 25-year career, Mastodon earned nine albums on the Billboard 200 chart, with several reaching the top 10, including “The Hunter” (2011), “Once More ‘Round the Sun” (2014) and “Emperor of Sand” (2017). The band received six Grammy nominations throughout their career and won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2018 for their song “Sultan’s Curse” from “Emperor of Sand.”
Born William Brent Hinds on January 16, 1974, in Birmingham, Alabama, he was known for his powerful guitar skills and distinctive voice. He served as both lead guitarist and vocalist for Mastodon, contributing to their signature sound and creative vision. His work on concept albums like “Leviathan,” based on Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick,” helped establish the band as leaders in modern metal music.
Despite his success in heavy metal, Hinds never considered himself strictly a metal guitarist. He had previously studied classical guitar and expressed love for country music and psychedelic rock. In a 2009 interview, he revealed that his father made him learn banjo before purchasing a guitar, leading him to study hillbilly music with his uncle before focusing on guitar mastery.
Hinds’ departure from Mastodon earlier this year was marked by controversy. In March, Billboard reported that the band and Hinds had mutually decided to part ways. However, Hinds later disputed this account, claiming he was kicked out of the band. In a social media post earlier this month, he criticized former bandmates Troy Sanders and Brann Dailor, saying they kicked him out for being himself.
Beyond Mastodon, Hinds worked with various other musical acts including Fiend Without a Face, The Blood Vessels, West End Motel, Four Hour Fogger, The Last of the Blue Eyed Devils, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra and Legend of the Seagullmen. He also made brief television appearances alongside his former bandmates as wildlings in HBO’s “Game of Thrones” during the show’s fifth season.
The metal community responded with tributes following news of Hinds’ death. Queens of the Stone Age expressed their condolences, noting they would see him on the other side. Alice in Chains vocalist William DuVall stated, “This has knocked the wind out of me.” Pantera’s Zakk Wylde offered his blessing, while various other musicians shared their respects across social media platforms.
Mastodon was scheduled to perform at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer on Friday, more than 4,200 miles from the accident scene. Fair representatives indicated the show was still expected to proceed as planned. The band requested privacy for everyone affected during this difficult time and asked that fans respect the family’s need for space while they process their loss.