Brent Hinds, Ex-Mastodon Guitarist, Dead at 51 After Motorcycle Crash

Brent Hinds, heavy metal guitarist and former member of Mastodon, died on Wednesday (Aug. 20) after suffering a fatal motorcycle accident in Atlanta. He was 51.

Reps for Mastodon confirmed the news to Billboard on Thursday (Aug. 21). The band also released a statement on Instagram, writing, “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 with whom we’ve shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many,” it continued. “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.”

An Atlanta police report offered more details on the situation. According to the report, officers arrived on the scene to find a male Harley Davidson rider — presumably Hinds — unresponsive after someone driving a BMW SUV “failed to yield” and collided with the motorcyclist while turning left at an intersection. Medical personnel pronounced him dead shortly afterward, but an investigation into the incident is still active.

Hinds cofounded Mastodon in Georgia’s capital in 2000 with bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor. After a quarter-decade of making music and performing together — during which time the group scored nine entries on the Billboard 200 albums chart — the band announced in March that Hinds would be leaving the lineup.

“Friends and Fans, After 25 monumental years together, Mastodon and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways,” read the group’s post on Instagram announcing the news. “We’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we’ve shared, and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors. We are still very inspired and excited to show up for fans in this next chapter of Mastodon. As we move forward, all 2025 touring plans will remain intact. We look forward to seeing you on the road.”

But in mid August, Hinds commented on one of the band’s Instagram posts of video from one of their performances, saying that his departure was not a mutual decision. “Embarrassing and they kicked me out of the band for embarrassing them for being who I am,” his comment criticizing the performance read in part.

Among the band’s nine Billboard 200-charting albums, 2011’s The Hunter, 2014’s One More ‘Round the Sun and 2017’s Emperor of Sand reached the top 10, while the latter two both peaked at No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums chart. The group also earned one Grammy, taking home best metal performance for “Sultan’s Curse” in 2018.