BRENT HINDS, CO-FOUNDER OF MASTODON, DIES IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH AT 51
Brent Hinds, co-founder, guitarist, and co-vocalist of the influential metal band Mastodon, has died following a motorcycle crash in Atlanta. He was 51.
Authorities say the accident occurred Wednesday night when a BMW SUV failed to yield while turning left, colliding with Hinds’ Harley at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Boulevard. The Fulton County medical examiner confirmed his identity and passing Thursday. Hinds was declared dead at the scene.
Hinds helped form Mastodon in 2000 with Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, and Brann Dailor. Over 25 years, the band released eight studio albums infused with sludge-heavy riffs and progressive complexity—landmarks like Remission, Leviathan, Blood Mountain, Crack the Skye, and Hushed and Grim established them as giants in modern metal.
Photo Credit: James Alvarez
In March of this year, Mastodon announced Hinds had “mutually decided to part ways” with the band. The statement highlighted their lasting gratitude for the 25 years of creative partnership. However, in June, Hinds took to social media to call the band “a s*** band with horrible humans,” painting a far more complicated picture of his exit.
Mastodon reacted to the tragedy with deep sadness. In a brief statement posted to social media, the band wrote, “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…”
From his distinctive banjo-inflected picking to his feral stage presence, Hinds was instrumental in forging Mastodon’s sound. His riffs and vocals became essential threads in albums that reshaped the boundaries of sludge, progressive, and experimental metal.
His sudden death cuts deeply for fans and peers alike. Whether on their ambitious album cycles or high-voltage live stages, Hinds’ contributions were nothing short of defining. As Mastodon continues forward, his absence is agonizingly felt—even as his influence remains unmistakable.