Former Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds dies at 51

Brent Hinds, founding member and former lead guitarist of Mastodon, has died at the age of 51.

Police told local news outlets Hinds was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on a street in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday night when an SUV failed to give way while turning and caused a fatal collision.

In a statement posted on their social media, Mastodon said they are "in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief" following Hind's death.

"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," the band wrote.

 

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Relapse Records, the band's label, expressed condolences in a post on X.

"The records Mastodon released with Relapse are all time classics across any genre, and they would not sound the way they sound, without Brent," the post reads.

"His larger than life personality was eclipsed only by his monstrous musicianship. Our love goes out to Brent's friends and family, the rest of Mastodon and everyone else lucky enough to have had their lives changed by the music that Brent brought to the world."

Our hearts are broken with the news of Brent Hinds' tragic passing. It is an understatement to say that Mastodon forever changed the course of Relapse's history, for the absolute better. The records Mastodon released with Relapse are all time classics across any genre, and they… pic.twitter.com/2sTUkXJeNt

— Relapse Records (@RelapseRecords) August 21, 2025

Hinds left the Grammy-winning heavy metal band in March after 25 years as lead guitarist and co-vocalist.

Hinds grew up in Alabama as a banjo player and country music fan. He picked up his signature fret-tapping style from the banjo, which he later transfered to guitar. He spent a year at the Alabama School of Fine Arts studying classical guitar before moving to Atlanta in pursuit of a music career

In 2000, Hinds, drummer Brann Dailor, guitarist Bill Kelliher and bassist Troy Sanders founded Mastadon. Together, they would go on to release eight successful studio albums and earn multiple Grammy nominations.

Hinds also played with surfabilly band Fiend Without A Face, along with classic rock and post-punk bands The Blood Vessels, Four Hour Fogger, West End Motel, The Last of the Blue Eyed Devils, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra and Legend of the Seagullmen.

Over the course of his career, Hinds earned the respect of many big names in rock. Tributes have been paid by his contemporaries.

Queens of the Stone Age wrote "see you on the other side old friend" in a tribute post on X.

William DuVall, current Alice in Chains vocalist and guitarist, posted that Hinds' death "has knocked the wind out of me."

Stone Sour said they are "heartbroken" to hear about Hinds' death in a post, adding, "Our love goes out to his family, Troy, Bill Brann and everyone who was impacted by his legacy."

Hinds is survived by his wife, Raisa Moreno.