Brent Hinds, Co-Founder of Mastodon, Dies at 51
Brent Hinds, guitarist and co-founder of Grammy-winning metal band Mastodon, has died at 51 after a motorcycle accident in Atlanta. The band announced his passing on Instagram, expressing their heartbreak and calling him a “creative force” behind much of their success.
Authorities say Hinds was riding a Harley Davidson when he was struck by an SUV late Wednesday night. He was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
Hinds left Mastodon in March, reportedly harboring tensions with his bandmates, though he rarely addressed them publicly.
Born in Alabama, Hinds was known for blending heavy riffs with blues, country, and unconventional time signatures. He co-founded Mastodon in 2000, helping shape albums like Leviathan, Crack the Skye, and Emperor of Sand—the latter earning the band a Grammy in 2018 for “Sultan’s Curse.”
Outside Mastodon, Hinds explored other musical projects such as West End Motel and Fiend Without a Face. His eccentric personality, tattooed image, and genre-bending creativity made him a standout figure in metal.
Mastodon received six Grammy nominations and made cameo appearances in HBO’s Game of Thrones.