Brent Hinds, Mastodon Co-Founder and Guitarist, Dies at 51 in Atlanta Motorcycle Crash

The heavy metal world mourns Brent Hinds, whose creative force helped shape Mastodon’s sound and legacy. He died in a tragic motorcycle accident on August 20.

Brent Hinds, the founding guitarist of Grammy-winning metal band Mastodon, died on August 20 following a motorcycle crash in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 51.

According to Atlanta police, Hinds was riding his Harley-Davidson when a BMW SUV failed to yield while making a left turn, resulting in a fatal collision around 11:35 p.m.. First responders found Hinds unresponsive at the scene. His death was later confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.

In a statement posted to Instagram, Mastodon said they were in a “state of unfathomable sadness and grief,” calling Hinds a “creative force” whose contributions shaped the band’s identity and touched fans around the world.

Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 alongside Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, and Brann Dailor, helping to pioneer a genre-defying sound that fused prog-rock, grunge, and psychedelic metal. Their debut album Remission (2002) and breakthrough follow-up Leviathan (2004) earned critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. The band went on to receive six Grammy nominations, winning Best Metal Performance in 2018 for “Sultan’s Curse”.

Despite Mastodon’s heavy metal reputation, Hinds often pushed for a more classic rock direction.

“I never wanted us to be this screaming, lumbering, lotsa-drum-solos band,” he told The Guardian in 2009. “I always wanted us to be this heavy, psychedelic thing.”

“I never wanted us to be this screaming, lumbering, lotsa-drum-solos band,” he told The Guardian in 2009. “I always wanted us to be this heavy, psychedelic thing.”

Earlier this year, Mastodon announced that Hinds had “mutually decided to part ways” with the band. However, in a recent social media post, Hinds disputed that narrative, claiming he was “kicked out” and referring to his former bandmates as “horrible humans”.

Beyond music, Hinds made a brief appearance on HBO’s Game of Thrones alongside his bandmates, portraying a wildling in Season 5. He was also preparing for a European tour with his side project Fiend Without a Face before his untimely death.

Fans and fellow musicians have flooded social media with tributes, remembering Hinds for his raw talent, eccentric spirit, and genre-defying guitar work. Mastodon’s statement concluded:

“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.