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William Brent Hinds was reportedly riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and was struck by a BMW SUV making a turn at the intersection.
William Brent Hinds was 51. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
William Brent Hinds, co-founder and former lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mastodon, died in a tragic road accident in Atlanta. He was 51. Renowned for his powerful guitar work and raw stage presence, William Brent Hinds passed away on Wednesday night following the crash.
According to reports, the accident occurred when William Brent Hinds was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and was struck by a BMW SUV making a turn at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Boulevard. Emergency responders found him unresponsive, and he was later declared dead.
After the Fulton County medical examiner’s office confirmed the heartbreaking news, his former band, Mastodon, shared their grief in an emotional Instagram post, admitting that they are in a “state of unfathomable sadness and grief.”
The band added, “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.”
Who Was William Brent Hinds
Born in Alabama, William Brent Hinds was a musician who experimented with various projects, including the mid-1990s act Four Hour Fogger, which featured bassist Troy Sanders. In 2000, after meeting at a High on Fire show in Atlanta, Hinds, Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher, and drummer Brann Dailor came together to form Mastodon.
Over more than two decades, Hinds did his bit to make the band a big success, delivering iconic albums like Leviathan (2004), Blood Mountain (2006), Crack the Skye (2009) and Emperor of Sand (2017). His last project with the band was Hushed and Grim (2021).
Why William Brent Hinds Left Mastodon
Despite being a driving force in Mastodon, Hinds parted ways with the band after 25 years. In March 2024, Mastodon announced his departure on Instagram, calling it a mutual decision. “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 endeavours.”
However, earlier in 2025, William Brent Hinds publicly disputed the amicable nature of the split. Commenting under a Mastodon performance video, he wrote: “My guitar sounds great, but Troy (Sanders) and prawn (Brann Dailor) sound absolutely horrible. They are way out of key. Embarrassing, and they kicked me out of the band for embarrassing them for being who I am.”
Mastodon, meanwhile, has left an indelible mark on heavy metal. As of 2025, the band has released eight studio albums and even won a Grammy for their song Sultan’s Curse from Emperor of Sand.
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-…Read More
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-… Read More
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