Brent Hinds, Former Mastodon Guitarist, Dies in Motorcycle Crash at Age 51

Brent Hinds, the former singer and guitarist of the heavy metal band Mastodon, has died.

The 51-year-old musician was killed in a motorcycle crash around 11:35 p.m. ET on Aug. 20 in Atlanta, according to Atlanta NBC affiliate WXIA.

Atlanta police said an initial investigation showed Hinds was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle when he collided with a BMW SUV whose driver failed to yield to him while making a left turn, WXIA reported. Officers found Hinds unresponsive at the scene.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Hinds’ death to WXIA.

The band’s members paid tribute to Hinds Aug. 21 on the official Mastodon social media accounts, saying they were “in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief” after learning of the musician’s death.

“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 wrote, adding, “Our hearts are with Brent’s family, friends, and fans.”

Hinds co-founded Mastodon in Atlanta in 2000, Billboard reported. The band has gone on to earn six Grammy nominations, winning once, in 2018, for best metal performance for “Sultan’s Curse.”

Several of the band’s albums have landed in the Billboard 200 album chart, with two albums — 2014’s “One More ‘Round the Sun” and 2017’s “Emperor of Sand” — reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.

Mastodon announced in March that Hinds and the rest of the band had “mutually decided to part ways” after 25 years together.

“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 band wrote on Instagram at the time.