Mastodon paid tribute to former guitarist Brent Hinds , who died last Thursday, the 21st, at the age of 51 , after suffering a motorcycle accident in the southeast region of Atlanta, Georgia.
Mastodon's first show since the guitarist's death took place last Friday, the 22nd, at the Alaska State Fair. Drummer Brann Dailor thanked the audience and said at the end of the show:
“We lost someone very special to us yesterday. Brent Hinds, a guitarist for 25 years, one of the most creative and beautiful people we have ever known in this world, tragically left us. Very, very sad.”
He continued: “We loved him very, very, very much. And we had the ups and downs of a 25-year relationship, you know what I mean? It’s not always perfect, it’s not always amazing, but we were brothers until the end. And we truly loved each other and made a lot of beautiful music together. And I think that will stand the test of time, as you all here tonight can attest.”
Mastodon dedicates show to Brent Hinds
"So, we will continue to play Brent's beautiful, beautiful music, which he helped us make, which we formed this band with and traveled the world together, slept in a van together, laid our heads on cat litter beds, got too drunk to remember anything the next day, about a thousand, a million times, repeatedly, with the love we shared and the beauty, all the audiences we played for, all the stages we stepped on."
“I don’t know. We’re speechless. We’re absolutely devastated and heartbroken to lose him and to never have him back. But you guys made it acceptable for us to go on stage and do this tonight. So, this was for Brent, okay? Thank you so much, everyone.”
Brann Dailor concluded: “Thank you for helping us get through this, it was very difficult for us. But you guys are amazing, so thank you so much.”
Brent Hinds leaving Mastodon
Brent Hinds has served as guitarist and vocalist for Mastodon since its formation in 2000, alongside bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders , drummer Brann Dailor , and guitarist Bill Kelliher . The lineup remained the same for 25 years, recording eight studio albums, beginning with Remission and continuing with the band's most recent, 2021's Hushed and Grim
Kelliher spoke to Guitar World in March about Hinds' departure: “It was a fun and crazy journey, for sure. We accomplished a lot of things I never imagined, not in a million years. We had Grammys, tours with our heroes like Iron Maiden , Metallica , Motorhead and Tool . I appreciate all of that. Like in a marriage, sometimes people drift apart and become interested in other things,” he explained. “We wish Brent all the best in pursuing his dreams,” Kelliher added.
However, Brent Hinds and Mastodon exchanged insults online. In June 2025, Hinds made a public statement on social media, calling his former bandmates "horrible human beings" and criticizing the lack of evolution within Mastodon.
According to information published by Atlanta News First , the department responded to a call about an accident at the intersection of Memorial and Boulevard streets at approximately 11:35 p.m. (local time). Upon arrival, they found Hinds unconscious and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Hinds was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
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