Former Mastodon Guitarist Brent Hinds Dies in Motorcycle Accident at 51

Brent Hinds, recognized as the former singer and guitarist of the Grammy-winning metal outfit Mastodon, has died at the age of 51 in a motorcycle crash in Atlanta. The accident, which occurred late Wednesday night, involved Hinds riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when a BMW SUV driver failed to yield while turning. Upon arrival at the scene, authorities found Hinds unresponsive, and it was later determined through an autopsy that he succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries.

The band expressed their profound sorrow on social media, citing their heartbreak over losing a creative talent with whom they shared numerous milestones and a musical legacy that resonated with many. Mastodon enjoyed remarkable commercial success, with three of their albums reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard 200, including "Emperor of Sand" in 2017 and "Once More ’round the Sun" in 2014, both of which topped the Rock Album chart.

Hinds was a founding member of Mastodon, starting the band in 2000 alongside Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, and Brann Dailor. Their breakthrough album, "Blood Mountain," released in 2006, marked a significant rise for the band, making it to No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart. Though he departed from the group in March 2025, citing a mutual decision, his exit implied some tensions through comments on social media. The band wished him well in his future pursuits, expressing pride in the music history they shared.

Mastodon has been renowned for their unique blend of metal, progressive elements, and sludge rock influences, earning six Grammy nominations and winning one in 2017 for their performance in "Sultan’s Curse." Additionally, Hinds was preparing to tour Europe with his side project, Fiend Without a Face, later this year.