Brent Hinds, former singer-guitarist and co-founder of Grammy-winning heavy metal band Mastodon, was killed Wednesday night in Atlanta when his Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with a BMW SUV whose driver failed to yield while making a turn. Police pronounced the 51-year-old musician dead at the scene, confirming the cause as the SUV driver’s failure to yield.
Tragedy struck the metal world as Mastodon co-founder Brent Hinds died in a motorcycle collision caused by a negligent driver.
The tragic accident cut short the life of a musician who had profoundly shaped the landscape of modern heavy metal. Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 alongside Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, and Brann Dailor, helping to forge a distinctive sound that blended elements of progressive rock with punishing metal riffs and conceptual storytelling often centered on themes of illness and tragedy.
Hinds had departed from Mastodon in March 2025, leaving under circumstances that remained unclear and possibly strained. His Instagram posts prior to his exit hinted at tensions within the band, though the official announcement described the separation as mutual without providing specific details. Throughout his career, Hinds had diversified his income through merchandise sales and limited-edition vinyl releases that became highly sought after by collectors.
The remaining members of Mastodon expressed their profound grief in a social media statement, describing themselves as “heartbroken” and in a state of “unfathomable sadness” over Hinds’ death. They highlighted the musical milestones they had shared and acknowledged the significant impact Hinds’ creativity had on both fans and the broader music community.
During his tenure with Mastodon, Hinds contributed to multiple commercial and critical successes, including several Top 10 Billboard 200 albums and two No. 1 Rock Albums. The band’s 2006 release “Blood Mountain” marked their first Top 40 album, peaking at No. 32 on the Billboard 200. Throughout his career, Hinds helped the band earn six Grammy nominations, with Mastodon winning their first Grammy Award in 2017. His dedication to writing music regularly had produced an extensive catalog of unreleased material that fans hoped would eventually see the light of day.
Before forming Mastodon, Hinds grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he began his musical journey playing the banjo as youth before eventually transitioning to guitar.
As news of the accident spread, tributes from across the heavy metal community began pouring in, commemorating Hinds’ technical prowess and innovative approach to guitar playing. His death represents a significant loss not only for former bandmates and fans but for the entire metal genre, where his influence on bands like Baroness and Pallbearer remains undeniable.
