Brent Hinds, the guitarist and one of the founding members of Mastodon, has tragically passed away. The news broke on August 21 that the legendary musician had been involved in a fatal motorcycle crash the day prior. Now, fans of the band are taking to social media to pay tribute to Hinds.
After the news broke of Hinds’ passing, the members of Mastodon took to Instagram to express their deep sorrow. They wrote, “We are in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief… last night Brent Hinds passed away as a result of a tragic accident.”
The post continued, “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. 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.”
They concluded, “RIP Brent.”
Mastodon Fans are Paying Tribute to Hinds
As mentioned, Hinds was one of the founding members of the heavy metal band Mastodon, which began its time in the music industry in 2000. Because of this, many fans are taking to social media to remember the legacy the beloved guitarist leaves behind.
One fan wrote on X, “Damn, this hurts. Brent Hinds had been one of my favorite guitarists for a while, and he was a true one of one. One of the rare talents you could just hear and know who’s playing. His work on Crack on the Skye was nothing short of incredible, particularly Last Barron. RIP”
Mastodon’s record label, Relapse Records, posted, “Our hearts are broken with the news of Brent Hinds’ tragic passing. It is an understatement to say that Mastodon forever changed the course of Relapse’s history, for the absolute better.”
The tribute continued, “The records Mastodon released with Relapse are all-time classics across any genre, and they would not sound the way they sound without Brent. His larger-than-life personality was eclipsed only by his monstrous musicianship.”
Finally, “Our love goes out to Brent’s friends and family, the rest of Mastodon, and everyone else lucky enough to have had their lives changed by the music that Brent brought to the world. -Rennie Jaffe/Relapse Records.”
Another fan simply posted “A sad day for heavy music RIP Brent,” and included a video of Hinds playing guitar.
He Leaves Behind a Significant Legacy
Mastodon formed in 2002, but the band’s debut album, “Remission,” was released in 2002 to strong reviews. So far, the band has eight studio albums, with the most recent being 2021’s “Hushed and Grim.” The band also has a total of six Grammy nominations, and one win, for 2017’s “Sultan’s Curse.”
According to Billboard, Hinds announced in March 2025 that he was leaving Mastodon after 25 years. They said in a statement, “Friends and Fans, After 25 monumental years together, Mastodon and Brent Hinds have mutually decided to part ways. We’re deeply proud of and beyond grateful for the music and history we’ve shared, and we wish him nothing but success and happiness in his future endeavors.”
The statement continued, “We are still very inspired and excited to show up for fans in this next chapter of Mastodon. As we move forward, all 2025 touring plans will remain intact. We look forward to seeing you on the road.”
Hinds will be missed.
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Legendary Heavy Metal Guitarist Passes Away & Fans Are in Mourning