Former Mastodon guitarist and co-founder of the Atlanta-born metal band, Brent Hinds, passed away on Wednesday night. The acclaimed musician was hit by a BMW SUV that failed to yield while Hinds was riding his Harley Davidson in Atlanta. The accident occurred at 11:35 pm at an intersection in the city. Hinds was 51 years old.
The passing occurred just months after Hinds and Mastodon announced their mutual split. The announcement of Hinds’ departure was made in an Instagram post on March 7. That same Instagram account took time today to talk about the passing of their co-founder. “We are in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief…” states the band, “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.”
During their time together, Hinds and Mastodon became one of the most prominent metal bands of their time. The band was formed in 2000 and kept its original lineup, which consisted of Hinds, bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, rhythm guitarist Bill Kelliher, and drummer Braann Dailor. Together, the band released eight studio albums, was nominated for six Grammys, and won one for Best Metal Performance in 2018 for “Sultan’s Curse.”
Outside of Mastodon, Hinds was a member of surfabilly band Fiend Without a Face and super group Giraffe Tongue Orchestra. Originally trained in banjo, Hinds’ fast-paced, blistering style stems from his roots as a country fan growing up in Alabama.
You can read the full post from Mastodon below.
