Former Mastodon Singer-Guitarist Brent Hinds Passes Away at Age 51
Brent Hinds, the former singer-guitarist of the Grammy-winning heavy metal band Mastodon, tragically passed away at the age of 51 in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta, according to the band and authorities. The unfortunate incident occurred when Hinds was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle late one Wednesday night and was hit by the driver of a BMW SUV who failed to yield while making a turn. At the scene, Hinds was unresponsive.
The band released a statement on social media expressing their devastation over the loss of Hinds, acknowledging the profound impact he had on their music, career, and their fans. Mastodon, the band Hinds co-founded in 2000 with bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher, and drummer Brann Dailor, had a successful career with multiple albums ranking in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart. Their albums, such as Emperor Of Sand in 2017 and Once More ’Round The Sun in 2014, also topped the Rock Album chart.
In 2006, Mastodon’s third studio album, Blood Mountain, marked a significant milestone for the band by reaching No. 32 on the Billboard 200. However, in March 2025, Brent Hinds decided to part ways with Mastodon. While no specific reason was provided for his departure, the band mentioned that it was a mutual decision. Insights from Hinds’ Instagram posts hinted at a strained relationship with his former bandmates.
Despite his departure from Mastodon, Hinds remained an integral part of the band’s history and music. The band expressed their gratitude for their shared experiences and wished him success and happiness in his future endeavors. Mastodon, known for blending various musical elements into their unique sound, garnered significant recognition with six Grammy Award nominations and a win in 2017 for best metal performance for their song Sultan’s Curse from the album Emperor Of Sand.
Rolling Stone magazine praised Mastodon’s 2011 album The Hunter as one of the best of the year, emphasizing the band’s ability to maintain their natural complexity and innate weirdness while refining their thrash metal style. Prior to his passing, Hinds was set to embark on a European tour later in the year with Fiend Without A Face, a band he was involved with during his time in Mastodon.
Brent Hinds leaves behind a legacy as a talented musician and creative force in the metal music scene. His contributions to Mastodon and the broader music industry will be remembered by fans, fellow musicians, and the music community at large.