Former Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds has died at the age of 51.
The rocker was involved in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta on Wednesday night (August 20). An incident report from the Atlanta Police Department states that officers responded to an accident at the intersection of Memorial Dr. SE and Boulevard SE at approximately 11:35 p.m. “Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive male who was involved in the collision,” the police said. “The male appeared to be operating a Harley Davidson during the time of collision. Medical personnel pronounced the male deceased. 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.”
Hinds was Mastodon’s guitarist since 2000, a position he held for 25 years before “mutually decided to part ways” in March. During that time, Hinds contributed to eight studio albums, starting with 2002’s Remission and ending with the band’s latest LP, 2021’s Hushed and Grim. Beyond his impressive guitar work, the musician was also one of the group’s primary songwriters.
As a member of Mastodon was nominated for six Grammy Awards, winning “Best Metal Performance” in 2018 for “Sultan’s Curse.”
Outside of Mastodon, Hinds’ was the led guitarist/singer for Fiend Without a Face, and worked with the bands The Blood Vessels, West End Motel, Four Hour Fogger, The Last of the Blue Eyed Devils, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra, and Legend of the Seagullmen.