Former Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds was preparing for the next chapter of his career, with plans for a fall European run alongside his band Fiend Without a Face and his solo trek, An Evening with Brent Hinds. Those plans came to a tragic end following a fatal motorcycle accident that claimed his life instantly. At just 51 years old, Hinds leaves behind a legacy that will remain immortal, but his sudden passing has left the metal community in shock and mourning. While motorcycle safety awareness remains important, it does little to ease the grief of losing such a pivotal figure in heavy music. In the wake of Hinds’ passing, artists have come together to honor Hinds, sharing heartfelt tributes to celebrate his life, music, and legacy.
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William DuVall:
“This has knocked the wind out of me. RIP to the great Brent Hinds.”
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Relapse Records:
“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 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. 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”
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Tool
“R.I.P. BRENT HINDS
January 16, 1974 – August 20, 2025
The members of the band wish to convey their deepest sympathy on the tragic and untimely death of former Mastodon guitarist and vocalist Brent Hinds. This one hits particularly close to home, as Brent was a not only a fellow musician, that at times shared the stage with the guys as a guest guitarist, but was also a good friend outside the tour venues. With his creative output and valued friendship, though he has passed onto another plane, rest assured that he will not be forgotten on this one.”
via Facebook
Machine Head:
“We toured with Mastodon somewhere around five times over the last 15 years… sad day. Our deepest condolences to the Hinds family, and the Mastodon camp. ”
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Opeth:
“”Brent Hinds is gone. An incredible musician. A force of nature. Our friend. My friend. I reached out to the boys in my band delivering the tragic news and my phone has been buzzing every 10 seconds since. There’s so much to be said about Brent. We’ve spend so much time together with him on the road. I like to think we got to know each other quite well. Brent demanded attention (and got it) every time he stepped into our dressing room or bus, which was quite often, I’d might add. Fred and him would jam backstage. I’d keep an eye on him/them and their usual tour-shenanigans to the point where Brent started calling me ”Dad”, and I was calling him ”Son”.
I have so many memories of him, most of which I can sum up as ”good times”. We often talked about stage nerves. How nervousness can be good, but also, if bad, how it can hinder your performance. The latter sensation manifested itself as a fictional person: ”Peter”. Brent would go: ”Peter was on stage tonight, and that fucker sucks ass” when he had a bad show.
The ”Dad-Son” thing stuck over the years. I last saw Brent when he came to our show in Atlanta (October 22, 2024). He walks in and goes ”What’s up Pops?”. It’s a very, very bright memory but it makes me numb with sadness right now, thinking about it.
We’d like to offer our warmest and most loving condolences to his family and friends, colleagues, fans, and of course to the whole Mastodon inner circle. The incredible band that was instrumental for making us and the world aware of the phenomenon that is Brent Hinds. Note that I can’t write about him in past tense just yet. He still ”is”.
I’ve included a photo of myself and Brent from our last tour singing along to Van Halen’s ”5150”. Right there, is exactly how I will remember him. Always.
Brent Hinds, rest in peace.
Love from your friends in Opeth.
Mikael Åkerfeldt, August 21, 2025””
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Trivium’s Matt Heafy:
“We did ozzfest 2005 together initially – and he definitely was one of the earlier heroes of mine/ ours who was TOUGH on us.
Years later when touring together on the Slayer/ Trivium co-headlining tour with Mastodon and Amon Amarth, he sat with me in our dressing room and played on acoustic and sang to me alone, a song that he had written but never played for anyone – after telling me that after all these years; we’ve proven ourselves and that he respected me/ us.
There weren’t many like this man. That’s for sure.
Rest in peace. Rest in power.”
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Rwake:
“Brent Hinds the Alabama Jama. One of a fucking kind. They don’t and they won’t make guys like this anymore. Dude played guitar like it was no one else’s business, and could party anyone under the table, as he did to us a few times. We sure had a lot of fun back in the day. Like property damaged kind of fun. The stories we could tell would get us in trouble. We love you brother. Fly on Free Bird ALWAYS WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES.”
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Anthrax’s Scott Ian:
“Keep it groovy Dirty B. RIP Brent Hinds”
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Orange Goblin:
“R.I.P Brent Hinds.
We are all saddened to hear of the sudden passing of our good friend Brent Hinds. We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and band mates at this very sad time.
Brent was a complete one-off and a great character. Him and the Mastodon guys were great supporters of Orange Goblin from our early days touring the US and we enjoyed many great times together in Atlanta and then everywhere we bumped into each other around the world. You couldn’t help but have fun when Brent was around and his mischievous smile and laugh will be missed. A huge loss for the heavy music community.
OG”
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Warner Records:
“We are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news that Brent Hinds, guitarist and co-founder of Mastodon, has passed away. Brent was an extraordinary musician and a creative force whose artistry, passion, and influence helped shape Mastodon into one of the most innovative bands of our time.
Our thoughts are with Brent’s family, bandmates, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. He will be remembered always for his talent, his spirit, and his immense contributions to music.”
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Stone Sour:
“We’re heartbroken to hear about Brent Hinds’ passing. Our love goes out to his family, Troy, Bill Brann and everyone who was impacted by his legacy.”
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Zakk Wylde:
“GOD BLESS BRENT HINDS • tBLSt SDMF”
GOD BLESS BRENT HINDS • tBLSt SDMF pic.twitter.com/RatE7bLBj8
— Zakk Wylde (@ZakkWyldeBLS) August 22, 2025
Queens of the Stone Age:
“Rest in Peace Brent Hinds.
With love & respect.
See you on the other side old friend.
Rest in Peace Brent Hinds
With love & respect
See you on the other side old friend
❤️ pic.twitter.com/5mPjD2gERa— QOTSA (@qotsa) August 21, 2025
Unearth:
“RIP Brent Hinds. A truly unique individual with a talent as brilliant as the Sun. Thank you for the memories and for your everlasting music.”
RIP Brent Hinds. A truly unique individual with a talent as brilliant as the Sun. Thank you for the memories and for your everlasting music. pic.twitter.com/LI01GHP44B
— UNEARTH (@Unearthofficial) August 21, 2025
King Parrot:
“RIP Brent Hinds – So sad to learn of the passing of this immensely unique talent, amazing human and all around top dude who was always super supportive and welcoming whenever we had the chance to hang out. Our set at @theshredderboise in Boise tonight is in your honour brother”
RIP Brent Hinds – So sad to learn of the passing of this immensely unique talent, amazing human and all around top dude who was always super supportive and welcoming whenever we had the chance to hang out. Our set at @theshredderboise in Boise tonight is in your honour brother pic.twitter.com/FibJrrJjoZ
— KING PARROT (@KINGPARROTBAND) August 21, 2025
The Masquerade:
“It’s a sad day for Atlanta music. Brent Hinds will be missed, and his musical legacy won’t be forgotten”
It’s a sad day for Atlanta music. Brent Hinds will be missed, and his musical legacy won’t be forgotten
: Ken Lackner pic.twitter.com/iYITYjxrsJ
— The Masquerade (@masquerade_atl) August 21, 2025
Lamb of God’s Mark Morton:
“This one fuckin hurts man.
Brent Hinds was a bottle rocket of creative spirit and emotion.
His skill with sarcasm was top tier. He would absolutely crack me up with his meandering, stream of consciousness banter.
Brent’s perspective was as peculiar as it was intriguing….sometimes maddening, sometimes visionary. Then, just when he’d be almost to outer space, he’d touch back down for a minute with a kind word or thoughtful observation shot directly out of a gentle, loving heart that was all the while keeping time amidst the kaleidoscopic chaos of his energy.
And, of course, Brent was a motherfucker on six strings.
He heard things that nobody else heard….so he’d bring them to life so that we could all hear them too.
I’m so grateful to have known him. I’m grateful for how he pushed me creatively as a player. And I’m grateful to have called him my friend.
We fuckin love you dude.
Godspeed.”
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Testament’s Alex Skolnick:
“Beyond heartbreaking. This was the last time hanging with Brent, on the @headbangersboat ‘23. Upon first meeting (backstage on Mastadon’s tour with AIC & DEP @ MSG), I was surprised he seemed genuinely star struck and had been such a fan as guitarist, despite being just five years apart in age (Mastadon had been in a later wave of bands than Testament and our 00’s reunion period was just beginning as they were first gaining traction). But he quickly got over it to the point of us figuring out we both know a certain Screamin’ Jay Hawkins tune and singing/yelling it at each other (the lyrics are too offensive for print). The timing of this loss, after a recent acrimonious break with the guys, is especially sad. As we’ve seen with so many bands (including ours), even legendary sworn enemies like The Eagles and quite recently, Jake E Lee & Ozzy, sometimes reconciliation takes time (I believe it would’ve happened one day with Masto). Since we only met up on the occasional cruise, festival date or event (including a particularly crazy night at NAMM), I didn’t get to know Brent as well as many friends who’d been on the road with him (and whom I know are devastated). But he’d always make you forget that. #ripbrenthinds ”
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Slash:
“RIP #BrentHinds”
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Converge:
“We are shocked by the loss of our dear friend Brent Hinds. He was an enigmatic human being that played by no one’s rules and was one of the greatest guitarists of our generation. Knowing him was a privilege. Anyone who ever met him had a story about it afterwards because he truly was one of a kind. We’ll miss him. We send love and support to his family, @mastodonrocks, and @fiend.without.a.face Thank you for the music, the friendship, the laughs, and the stories Brent. We love you.”
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Knotfest:
“Our hearts are broken. Gone too soon. #BrentHinds”
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Shadows Fall:
“We will miss you Brent. Thank you for the years of riffs and good times. It was an honor to share stages with you around the world. The party won’t be the same without you…”
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Lacuna Coil:
“We are very saddened after hearing that Brent Hinds passed away. He was truly one of a kind and it was always a joy to meet him at festivals every once in a while and witness his smile, his energy and his incredible talent. Rest in Peace, Brent Our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones and @mastodonrocks”
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Slayer’s Gary Holt:
“What a tragedy . Stunned. You will be missed brother don’t know what else to say other than RIP brother. Heartbreaking news for everyone. Fuck.”
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