Brent Hinds, the former singer-guitarist for the Grammy-winning heavy metal band Mastodon, has died in a motorcycle crash in Atlanta aged 51.
Hinds, who left Mastodon after 25 years in March 2025, was killed on Wednesday when his Harley-Davidson collided with a BMW SUV around 11.35pm, per Atlanta News First.
The Atlanta Police Department said in a report the driver of the SUV failed to yield while making a turn – with Hinds found ‘unresponsive’ at the scene and later pronounced dead by medics.
‘The male appeared to be operating a Harley Davidson during the time of collision. Medical personnel pronounced the male deceased’ the report states.
‘The other driver involved, a female who occupied a BMW SUV, remained on scene. The APD Accident Investigations Unit responded to the scene to determine the circumstances.
‘Preliminary investigation indicates the male was traveling West on Boulevard. The female operating the BMW SUV failed to yield while turning left and collided into the male victim who was operating the Harley-Davidson. The investigation remains active at this time.’
Brent Hinds, the former singer-guitarist for the Grammy-winning heavy metal band Mastodon, has died in a motorcycle crash in Atlanta aged 51 – pictured 2017
Hinds, who left Mastodon after 25 years in March 2025, was killed on Wednesday when his Harley-Davidson collided with a BMW SUV around 11.35pm per Atlanta News First – pictured L with bandmates Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor, Bill Kelliher in 2006
The band paid an emotional tribute to Hinds in an Instagram statement
The band paid an emotional tribute to Hinds in an Instagram statement which read: ‘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.
‘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. RIP Brent.’
Mastodon had three albums rise into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart and two that topped the Rock Album chart – Emperor of Sand in 2017 and Once More ´round the Sun in 2014.
Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 with bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor.
Mastodon´s third studio album, 2006´s Blood Mountain, was their first to reach the Top 40, peaking at No. 32 on the Billboard 200.
Hinds left the band in March 2025. No reason for the departure was given. The band said they had ‘mutually decided to part ways,’ but comments made by Hinds on Instagram indicated a rocky relationship with the members of his former band.
‘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,’ the band said at the time.
Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 with bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor – pictured 2006
Mastodon – which forged ferocious metal, progressive wizardry and sludge rock tendencies – earned six Grammy Award nominations, winning one in 2017 for best metal performance for Sultan’s Curse from the album Emperor of Sand – pictured 2015
Hinds left the band in March 2025. No reason for the departure was given. The band said they had ‘mutually decided to part ways,’ but comments made by Hinds on Instagram indicated a rocky relationship with the members of his former band – pictured 2015
Mastodon earned six Grammy Award nominations, winning one in 2017 for best metal performance for Sultan’s Curse from the album Emperor of Sand.
Rolling Stone magazine listed Mastodon’s 2011 album The Hunter among its best off the year, saying the band had ‘streamlined their molten thrash into a taut thwump that doesn´t pull back one bit on their natural complexity of innate weirdness.’
Hinds was due to tour Europe later this year with Fiend Without a Face, a band that was once a side project during his years with Mastodon.
