Beloved Metal Musician Unexpectedly Dies at 51
It's been a difficult summer for metal musicians passing away, with Ozzy Osbourne's death in July being a huge loss for the metal community. Now, the metal community has lost another great musician.
Brent Hinds, the former guitarist of Mastodon and a founding member of the band, has died at 51 years old. News of his death broke on Aug. 21, following a report from Atlanta police, where he lived.
According to the Atlanta police report, a male riding a Harley Davidson was killed in a crash following a driver of a BMW SUV failing to yield while making a turn at an intersection. Now, the Fulton County medical examiner's office has confirmed that Hinds was the driver of the motorcycle.
Mastodon Shares Tragic News
Mastodon took to social media to confirm that Hinds had sadly passed away.
"We are in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief," they noted on Instagram. "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."
They added, "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."
Hinds was a founding member of Mastodon and help launch the band in 2000. He was with the band until March of this year, when the band announced they they were splitting with Hinds.
Following Hinds and Mastodon splitting up, Hinds stayed active in the music scene and played shows in his hometown of Atlanta. He also toured Europe over the summer with Marcus King.
In a 2011 interview with Invisible Oranges, Hinds talked about how the band's music was evolving at the time. "The new Mastodon record is super-energetic. It's definitely something for kids to jump on their beds to," he said. "I want it to drive their parents crazy. I think it’s our best work yet because we’ve spent a lot of time maturing and learning how to record."
He added, "We've spent a lot of years in the studio by now, so we kind of know what we're doing. The process is becoming easier and faster. All that stuff comes with age."