Former Mastodon Guitarist Brent Hinds Has Died

Former Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds died on Wednesday at age 51 due to injuries sustained from an accident suffered while riding his motorcycle in Atlanta. The Fulton County medical examiner’s office confirmed Hinds’ death to Atlanta News First.

Brent Hinds’ Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with the vehicle of another driver who failed to yield at an intersection in downtown Atlanta, according to a police report. Hinds was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene.

Mastodon released a statement on Instagram regarding the death of Brent Hinds, writing:

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 with whom we’ve shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many. Our hearts are with Brent’s family, friends, and fans. At this time, we please ask that you respect everyone’s privacy during this difficult time.

RIP Brent.

William Brent Hinds was born on January 16, 1974 in Helena, Alabama. Hinds developed his distinctive tone by translating the banjo techniques he learned as a child to electric guitar. He oftened employed a fast hybrid picking style that mimiced banjo fingerings.

Brent moved to Atlanta, where he formed Mastodon with bassist Troy Sanders, rhythm guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor in 2000. The lineup remained intact until March, when Hinds departed the band.

Mastodon put out eight studio albums between their 2002 debut, Remission, and 2021’s Hushed And Grim. The band won their first, and currently only, Grammy in 2018 for the song “Sultan’s Curse.” The opening track from 2017’s Emperor Of Sand took home the prize in the Best Metal Performance category.

Hinds was Mastodon’s lead guitarist one of their primary vocalists. He sang lead on such songs as “Workhorse,” “Blasteroid” and “Stargasm” and often shared vocal duties with Sanders and Dailor.

The band developed a devoted fanbase thanks to their inventive and crushing progressive metal sound. Mastodon is also known for their first live shows and toured regularly during most of Hinds’ tenure.

Hinds didn’t grow up as a metal fan and discussed his distaste for the genre in a 2015 interview.

“I never really liked heavy metal in the first place,” Hinds told Guitar Player. “I came from Alabama playing country music, surf rock, rockabilly, and stuff like that. I just went through a phase in my 20s where I thought it was rebellious to play heavy metal. And then I met Brann and Bill, and they were really, really, really into heavy metal. And ever since then, I’ve been trying to get Mastodon to not be such a heavy metal band, because I fucking hate heavy metal, and I don’t want to be in a heavy metal band.”

While Hinds’ former bandmates said the decision for Brent to leave Mastodon was “mutually decided,” the guitarist recently claimed he was kicked out. Mastodon has moved forward with guitarist Nick Johnston as touring replacement.

Outside of Mastodon, Brent Hinds was part of the surfabilly band Fiend Without A Face. He also performed with The Black Vessels, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, West End Motel, Dirty B & The Boys and several additional projects.