In March 2025, Brent Hinds walked away from Mastodon, the band he helped build as lead guitarist and vocalist. His exit turned messy when he left a comment on the group’s Instagram, blasting his former bandmates as “horrible humans.”
Now, just months later, tragedy has struck. Hinds has died at the age of 51.
The cause of death was a motorcycle crash in Atlanta, GA, on Aug. 20.
Atlanta police released details of the accident without naming Hinds, though multiple outlets confirmed it was him, with The New York Times reporting that authorities verified the information.
According to police, the crash happened around 11:45 p.m. at Memorial Dr. SE & Boulevard SE. Officers arrived to find an unresponsive man who had been riding a Harley Davidson. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said the other driver, a woman in a BMW SUV, remained on-site. Early findings suggest Hinds was traveling west on Boulevard when the SUV driver failed to yield while turning left, colliding with his motorcycle. The investigation is still ongoing.
Mastodon confirmed the devastating news with a heartfelt Instagram tribute:
“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,” the band’s statement read.
“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,” it continued.
The tribute quickly drew an outpouring of love, racking up nearly 100,000 likes within just three hours.
Hinds’ passing marks the end of an era, as he was a co-founder of Mastodon back in 2000, and his name became inseparable from the band’s identity and sound.
