The metal world has been shaken to its core. Brent Hinds , co-founding guitarist and vocalist of Mastodon , has died following a tragic motorcycle accident in Atlanta on August 20, 2025. He was just 51 years old.
According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office , Brent Hinds was riding his Harley when a BMW SUV failed to yield while turning through an intersection. The resulting collision claimed his life instantly. https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/08/21/former-guitarist-co-founder-heavy-metal-band-mastodon-dies-atlanta-motorcycle-crash/
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Mastodon confirmed the devastating news:
“We are in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief… last night Brent Hinds passed away as a result of a tragic accident. We are heartbroken, shocked, and still trying to process the loss of this creative force… Our hearts are with Brent’s family, friends, and fans.”
The band also asked fans and media outlets to respect the privacy of Hinds’ loved ones during this difficult time.
Born on January 16, 1974 in Alabama , Brent Hinds grew up playing banjo before turning to electric guitar. His unique style blended Southern roots with heavy metal riffing, making him one of the most distinctive players in the genre.
Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 alongside Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor, and Bill Kelliher. Together, they built a career defined by groundbreaking records like Remission (2002), Leviathan (2004), Crack the Skye (2009), and Hushed and Grim (2021).
For over two decades, Hinds’ guitar work and vocals helped shape Mastodon’s progressive, sludge-infused sound. He was known for his raw, emotional playing and his ability to craft riffs that balanced heaviness with melody.
Although he departed from Mastodon in early 2025 after 25 years with the band, his influence remained deeply rooted in their music. Hushed and Grim , Mastodon’s final album with Hinds, now stands as his last recorded chapter with the group.
Fans, fellow musicians, and the entire metal community are mourning the loss of a true innovator. Brent Hinds was more than a guitarist—he was the heart and soul of Mastodon’s sound.
Whether you first discovered him through Leviathan’s crushing riffs or later works like Hushed and Grim , his music continues to resonate across generations of heavy music fans.
Across social media, tributes have been flooding in. Fans are spinning Mastodon records in his honor, while peers in the metal scene call Hinds’ death “an irreplaceable loss to heavy music.”
Brent Hinds’ passing is a devastating blow—not just to Mastodon fans, but to the entire metal community . His creativity, passion, and larger-than-life riffs will live on forever.
As Mastodon themselves said best: “Our hearts are with Brent’s family, friends, and fans.”
Rest in power, Brent. Your music will echo through eternity.
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