Brent Hinds (January 16, 1974 – August 20, 2025)
Early Life & Musical Roots
William Brent Hinds was born on January 16, 1974, in Helena, Alabama. Growing up in the South meant he was surrounded by a unique mix of country, gospel, and rock traditions. Unlike many heavy metal musicians who first cut their teeth on hard rock records, Hinds began with the banjo. The banjo would leave a permanent imprint on his approach to guitar, as he developed a hybrid-picking style that merged fingerpicking and flatpicking techniques. This banjo-informed technique became one of his defining trademarks.
As a child, Hinds showed little interest in traditional schooling but a strong desire to create and perform music. His environment was filled with contradictions—rural traditions on one side, raw rebellion on the other—and Hinds absorbed it all. His early exposure to both country and outlaw rock, combined with an eventual discovery of heavier and more experimental music, created the eclectic foundation from which his career would grow. By the late 1990s, he was looking for a bigger stage than Alabama could provide and relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, which would become the center of his musical life.
The Formation of Mastodon
In Atlanta, Brent Hinds crossed paths with bassist Troy Sanders, drummer Brann Dailor, and guitarist Bill Kelliher. The four quickly found common ground in their love for progressive metal, punk intensity, and the sludge-metal ethos of bands like Neurosis and Melvins. In 2000, Mastodon was born. Hinds became the group’s flamboyant and unpredictable guitar voice, balancing technical precision with unhinged energy.
From the start, Mastodon stood apart. Their early material showcased unusual time signatures, dynamic shifts, and elaborate riff structures that felt more akin to progressive rock than traditional heavy metal. Hinds’ banjo-derived hybrid picking, his love for psychedelic tones, and his willingness to incorporate both melody and noise into his solos gave Mastodon a guitar voice that was instantly recognizable.
Rise to Fame: Mastodon’s Career
Mastodon’s debut full-length, Remission (2002), announced them as a formidable new force in heavy music. The record was raw and aggressive but already hinted at the layered artistry the band would soon develop. Hinds’ guitar work alternated between punishing riffs and intricate melodic flourishes, creating a duality that mirrored the tension between destruction and beauty that would become a Mastodon hallmark.
The follow-up, Leviathan (2004), propelled the band to international recognition. A loose concept album inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, it combined crushing heaviness with literary ambition. Hinds’ guitar parts—both savage and cinematic—were central to the record’s success. The album was hailed as one of the defining metal releases of the decade.
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Blood Mountain (2006) and Crack the Skye (2009) deepened the band’s progressive tendencies. Hinds embraced expansive, psychedelic tones and layered harmonies, creating a sound that was simultaneously grand and deeply personal. Crack the Skye, in particular, stood out as an emotionally charged work exploring themes of astral travel, Russian mysticism, and grief. Hinds’ playing was haunting and evocative, demonstrating his range as both a guitarist and a co-vocalist.
In the following decade, Mastodon expanded their sonic palette further. Albums like The Hunter (2011) and Once More ’Round the Sun (2014) embraced a more accessible, arena-friendly sound while retaining their complexity. Emperor of Sand (2017), inspired by the real-life battles with cancer faced by those close to the band, earned Mastodon their first Grammy Award. Hinds’ guitar work on this album walked a fine line between brutality and tenderness, embodying the themes of mortality and resilience. The double album Hushed and Grim (2021) represented the band’s most ambitious and expansive work to date, with Hinds delivering some of his most soulful performances.
Style and Technique
Brent Hinds was never a conventional guitarist. His hybrid picking created a fluidity that made his solos unpredictable and organic. He often eschewed traditional metal shredding in favor of melodic phrasing, sudden bursts of speed, and tonal experimentation. The result was a voice on guitar that was unmistakably his own.
His choice of gear reflected his philosophy. Hinds preferred Orange amplifiers, including a signature model head, which provided a raw and earthy tone. His main instrument was the Epiphone Flying V—customized with his name—that became almost inseparable from his stage image. He valued expressiveness over technical polish, and this attitude gave his music an authenticity that fans loved.
As a vocalist, Brent Hinds alternated between harsh growls, gruff singing, and psychedelic harmonies. While not a traditional frontman, his voice was integral to Mastodon’s layered vocal approach. Along with Sanders and Dailor, he contributed to a rich, tri-vocal dynamic that set the band apart.
Beyond Mastodon: Side Projects
Brent Hinds’ restless creativity could not be contained within Mastodon alone. He continually explored other genres and collaborations:
- Fiend Without a Face: A surfabilly band where he sang and played guitar, channeling his love for spaghetti western soundtracks, punk, and surf rock.
- West End Motel: A bluesy, eclectic group that gave Hinds space to explore roots rock and folk-inspired sounds.
- Giraffe Tongue Orchestra: A supergroup featuring members of Alice in Chains, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and others. Their 2016 release Broken Lines showed Hinds adapting his style to collaborative progressive rock.
- Legend of the Seagullmen: A psychedelic rock outfit with Tool drummer Danny Carey, combining nautical mythos with cinematic music.
- Other Collaborations: Hinds also appeared as a guest on numerous records, from punk to doom metal, and even had cameos in films and television, including a brief role in Game of Thrones.
These projects highlighted Hinds’ versatility and his refusal to be confined to one genre. They also revealed his playful, experimental side—always chasing new sounds, always willing to take risks.
Departure from Mastodon
In March 2025, Mastodon and Brent Hinds announced that they were parting ways. The official statement framed it as a mutual decision, with both sides wishing each other well. But Hinds, known for his bluntness, later made comments suggesting the split was less amicable than presented. He claimed he felt pushed out and that his freewheeling personality sometimes clashed with the band’s direction.
Regardless of the circumstances, the departure marked the end of an era. For nearly 25 years, Hinds had been the wild spirit at the heart of Mastodon, and fans felt the loss deeply. Still, many believed he would channel his energy into new projects, perhaps reviving his side bands or launching a solo career.
Tragic Death
On August 20, 2025, Brent Hinds died in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta, Georgia. Reports indicated that his bike collided with a vehicle at an intersection when the driver failed to yield. Hinds, who had long loved the freedom of motorcycles, passed away at the age of 51.
The news sent shockwaves through the music world. Mastodon issued a heartfelt statement expressing their grief and emphasizing his irreplaceable role in the band’s story. Fellow musicians, from metal peers to artists in entirely different genres, paid tribute to his talent, humor, and spirit. Fans around the world mourned not just the loss of a great guitarist but the loss of a true original who had always followed his own path.
Legacy
Brent Hinds leaves behind a remarkable legacy that stretches beyond the confines of heavy metal.
A Unique Guitar Voice
His banjo-inspired hybrid picking gave his riffs and solos a singular texture. He merged southern roots with heavy riffs and psychedelic exploration, creating a sound that was both earthy and cosmic.
Expanding the Boundaries of Metal
With Mastodon, Brent Hinds helped redefine what metal could be. Their albums blended storytelling, progressive ambition, and raw power. They proved that heavy music could be both cerebral and deeply emotional.
Influence on Future Musicians
Hinds influenced a generation of guitarists in the 2000s and 2010s. Bands such as Baroness, Pallbearer, and countless others followed trails he helped blaze. His emphasis on originality, tone, and feel continues to inspire.
A Spirit of Experimentation
Brent Hinds side projects demonstrated that an artist need not be confined to one genre. Hinds embraced surf, blues, rock, and psychedelic music, showing that creativity thrives when boundaries are ignored.
Human Complexity
Hinds was not without controversy—his bluntness and irreverent humor sometimes ruffled feathers. But fans admired his honesty. He was unapologetically himself, even when it meant clashing with expectations. This authenticity endeared him to those who valued truth over polish.
Discography (Highlights)
With Mastodon
- Remission (2002)
- Leviathan (2004)
- Blood Mountain (2006)
- Crack the Skye (2009)
- The Hunter (2011)
- Once More ’Round the Sun (2014)
- Emperor of Sand (2017)
- Hushed and Grim (2021)
With Other Projects
- Fiend Without a Face (self-titled, 2017 release of older material)
- West End Motel – Don’t Shiver, You’re a Winner (2011), Only Time Can Tell (2012)
- Giraffe Tongue Orchestra – Broken Lines (2016)
- Legend of the Seagullmen – self-titled (2018)
Conclusion
Brent Hinds lived loudly, played ferociously, and created fearlessly. From his humble roots in Alabama to the heights of Grammy-winning international success, he never lost his distinctive voice or his restless urge to experiment. His riffs will forever echo in Mastodon’s towering discography, his side projects will continue to surprise and delight, and his influence will ripple through generations of musicians yet to come.
His sudden death is a devastating loss, but the music he left behind ensures that his spirit remains alive. Brent Hinds was more than just a guitarist—he was a visionary who carved his own path and invited the world to follow.
Brent Hinds may be gone, but the roar of his guitar will never fade.
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