Former Mastodon guitarist dies in motorcycle crash

Brent Hinds, the founding member and former lead guitarist of the heavy steel band Mastodon, has died in a motorbike crash.The 51-year-old, who left the Grammy-winning band earlier this yr, died in a collision in Atlanta, Georgia.Police informed US media retailers he died on Wednesday after his Harley-Davidson collided with a BMW SUV whose driver didn’t give method whereas making a flip. A neighborhood medical expert’s workplace later confirmed his dying.In an announcement posted on social media, Mastodon stated they have been in a “state of unfathomable disappointment and grief”.”We’re heartbroken, shocked, and nonetheless making an attempt to course of the lack of this artistic pressure with whom we have shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many,” the band wrote on Instagram.Queens of the Stone Age paid tribute on X, writing: “Relaxation in Peace Brent Hinds. With love & respect. See you on the opposite aspect previous buddy.”Alice in Chains star William DuVall posted: “This has knocked the wind out of me. RIP to the nice Brent Hinds.”Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 alongside bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Invoice Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor. He shared lead vocals and songwriting duties.Their hardcore sound mixed prog-rock, different and grunge – on albums corresponding to Remission, Leviathan and Emperor of Sand – drawing in legions of steel followers and in the end important acclaim.Hinds and his bandmates additionally made a quick look as “wildlings” within the fantasy drama TV sequence Recreation of Thrones. They appeared in episode eight of sequence 5, entitled Hardhome.Earlier this yr although, Billboard reported that they had “mutually determined to half methods”.Hinds disputed that account nevertheless earlier this month, saying he had been kicked out of the band. Mastodon carried out at Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell gig in July with out him. Regardless of his success within the style, Alabama-raised Hinds by no means thought of himself to be strictly a heavy steel guitarist. He had beforehand studied classical guitar and would go on to notice his love of nation and the heavier finish of psychedelic rock music.In a 2009 interview with Rolling Stone, Hinds defined how he realized to play guitar. “My dad’s cool as hell,” he stated, “however in an asshole transfer, he made me be taught the banjo earlier than he would purchase me a guitar.”So I used to be studying all this hillbilly music with my uncle, after which I centered on being an superior guitar participant. My mother would are available in and say, ‘are you OK? You have not been out of your room in two days’.”Hinds additionally performed with the surfabilly band Fiend With out a Face and traditional rock acts corresponding to The Blood Vessels, West Finish Motel and 4 Hour Fogger, in addition to The Final of the Blue Eyed Devils, Giraffe Tongue Orchestra and Legend of the Seagullmen.