Recommendations of the Editorial team
Brent Hinds is dead. The founding member of the Metal band Mastodon, who resorted to the band in 2025, died on August 20, 2025 at the age of 51 in an accident. The first reactions to his death arrived shortly after the sad news became known. Mastodon, Machine Head and others react to the musician’s death.
Brent Hinds: Mastodon react with statement
Mastodon itself confirmed the death message with a statement on their social networks:
“We are in a state of immeasurable grief and deep pain … last night Brent Hinds died as a result of a tragic accident. We are destroyed, shocked and still try to understand this loss – the loss of a creative force with which we have shared so many triumphs, milestones and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of countless people. Our thoughts are at Brent’s family and his friend Fans.
Machine Head and others mourn
Machine Head mourned in a statement about her long -time colleague. “We have been on tour with a mastodon in the past 15 years … a sad day. Our deepest sympathy applies to the Hinds family and the entire mastodon warehouse,” it says.
The Label Relapse Records also published a statement. It says: “Our hearts are broken in view of the news of the tragic death of Brent Hinds. It is to say that Mastodon has changed the course of the history of relapse forever – and for the absolute better -. was only exceeded by his tremendous musicality.
Alice-in-chains musician William Duvall published several photos on X, including a common picture of him with Hinds, and wrote: “That pulled the ground away from my feet. Quiet in peace, great Brent Hinds.”
Mikael Åkerfeldt and Opeth published a long statement on the death of Brent Hinds. It says:
“Brent Hinds has gone. An incredible musician. A natural force. Our friend. My friend. I received the news today from the mastodon boys while I was sitting with my mother and partner. They talked about their plans for the coming weekend, but to be honest I hardly listened.
There is so much to say about Brent. We spent so much time on tour with him. I think we got to know each other really well. Brent immediately attracted attention – and got it – every time he entered our backstage area or Tourbus. And he did that quite often, I have to add. Fred and he then jamped while I kept the two in view-their usual tour jokes. At some point Brent started to call me “Dad”, and I “son”.
I have so many memories of him, most I can simply summarize as “good times”. We often talked about stage fright. The fact that nervousness can be something good, but also something that destroys performance. The latter got a name at Brent: “Peter”. After an unsuccessful appearance, he said: “Peter was on stage tonight, and this Mistkerl is really a grotto.”
Grieving feels too early – it hasn’t really arrived yet. I only heard the message five hours ago. It is incredibly devastating. And after everything that is said in our private Opeth group chat, I know that I speak in the name of the whole band.
The “Dad-Son” insider stayed over the years. The last time I saw Brent when he came to our concert in Atlanta (on October 22, 2024). He came in and said, “What’s up pops?” – “Well, all right, dad?” This moment is a very, very bright memorial light, but it now makes me infinitely sad.
We would like to express our deepest condolences to Brents family, his friends, colleagues, fans and of course the entire Mastodon district. After all, it was this incredible band that – and the world – made us aware of the Brent Hinds phenomenon. I can’t write about him in the past. He’s still there.
I added a photo of Brent and myself from our last tour together. I don’t know exactly where it was recorded, but I remember that we sang Van Halen’s “5150” together. That’s exactly how I will remember it. Forever. Rest in peace, Brent Hinds. With love, your friends from Opeth. “
Brent Hinds: Information about the accident
According to the police, the accident occurred at an intersection in Atlanta. Hinds was traveling with his Harley Davidson when a BMW SUV disregarded the right of way while turning and collided with the motorcycle. Brent Hinds suffered fatal injuries. Fulton County’s office’s office confirmed him as a driver of the machine.