Brent Hinds, the former guitarist and co-vocalist of Mastodon, died in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta on August 21. He was riding a Harley Davidson when a turning SUV collided with him. He was 51 years old.
Hinds hailed from Birmingham, Alabama. As a teenager, he learned the banjo and developed a unique guitar technique. He once described himself as “a total hellion,” enjoying a wild youth filled with creativity and rebellion.
In the mid-1990s, he moved to Atlanta, where he met Troy Sanders. They played together in a band called Four Hour Fogger. After that band split, they teamed up with drummer Brann Dailor and guitarist Bill Kelliher to create Mastodon, which emerged in the early 2000s.
Mastodon made waves in the metal scene with their debut album, Remission, in 2002. Their follow-up, Leviathan, was inspired by the story of Moby Dick and further solidified their reputation. They received Grammy nominations, especially for Blood Mountain. Their sound evolved over the years, combining different elements, showcased in albums like Crack the Skye and Emperor of Sand.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Hinds had parted ways with the band. While the official announcement was calm, Hinds later expressed his frustration, calling his former bandmates “horrible humans.” Despite this, he continued to perform with local bands in Atlanta.
Hinds’ style was marked by his innovative techniques, like fret-tapping, which influenced metal musicians. In 2020, a survey by the music platform CDBaby found that over 45% of musicians reported feeling more creative during the pandemic, showing how artists like Hinds inspired others through challenging times.
His legacy lives on, reminding us of the power of music and the importance of creativity. For more on Mastodon’s journey, check out this detailed retrospective.
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