Tragically, Brent Hinds, the previous lead guitarist and co-vocalist of the famend band Mastodon, handed away in a bike accident on the night time of August 20 in Atlanta, in accordance with a number of native information studies. Hinds was driving his Harley Davidson when an SUV reportedly didn’t yield at a turning, leading to a deadly collision, as detailed by Atlanta Information First and an official memo from the Atlanta police. The incident was formally categorised as unintended, attributed to a number of blunt pressure accidents. Hinds was simply 51 years previous.
Born William Brent Hinds in Birmingham, Alabama, he developed a ardour for music throughout his teenage years, beginning with the banjo earlier than shifting on to the electrical guitar, the place he popularized a singular fret-tapping approach. In a candid interview with The Guardian’s Stevie Chick in 2009, he described himself as “a complete hellion, straight outta hell, with purple eyes and every little thing.” He admitted, “I used to be very dysfunctional at college, only a jackass. I’d take LSD and are available to class nonetheless tripping. I used to be too artistic, by no means doing my homework, simply filling my notepad up with drawings of skulls.”
Regardless of his struggles with the normal college system, Hinds attended the Alabama College of Tremendous Arts for a 12 months, specializing in classical guitar. His journey took a big flip within the mid-Nineties when he witnessed future Mastodon bassist Troy Sanders carry out along with his band, 4 Hour Fogger, in Birmingham. Impressed, Hinds invited himself to affix the band. As soon as that group disbanded, Hinds and Sanders aimed to ascertain a brand new challenge, which ultimately led to the inclusion of drummer Brann Dailor and guitarist Invoice Kelliher, culminating within the formation of Mastodon on the daybreak of the 2000s.
The band made waves within the heavy music scene with their 2002 debut album, Remission, the place Hinds and Sanders collaborated on lead vocals and songwriting, intermingling components of hardcore-infused metallic. This profitable method gained traction, nevertheless it was their 2004 album, Leviathan—an idea album impressed by Herman Melville’s Moby Dick—that solidified their place within the higher echelons of metallic, garnering acclaim from each followers and critics alike. The follow-up studio album, Blood Mountain in 2007, additional showcased their prowess, incomes them a Grammy nomination for Finest Metallic Efficiency.
The band endured a difficult second on the MTV VMAs when an altercation left Hinds incapacitated for 3 days, affected by a mind hemorrhage, a damaged nostril, and vital facial bruising. Fortunately, he made a outstanding restoration.
Mastodon’s evolution continued with a collection of ingenious, progressive albums, beginning with 2009’s Crack the Skye, which launched Dailor as one of many shared lead vocalists. Their 2011 album, The Hunter, was a poignant tribute to Hinds’ late brother. Hinds continued to make vital contributions to the band with their ultimate studio albums, together with the extra mainstream-friendly As soon as Extra ’Around the Solar in 2014, the critically acclaimed Emperor of Sand in 2017—which received their first Grammy for Finest Metallic Efficiency—and the bold 2021 double album, Hushed and Grim.
All through his profession, Hinds was recognized not just for his musical expertise but additionally for his distinctive persona that resonated with followers. His vibrant vitality and inventive spirit had been palpable each on and off the stage, contributing immensely to Mastodon’s sound and general identification. As followers mourn his passing, they replicate on the indelible mark he left on the music trade, one that can proceed to affect generations to return.
Brent Hinds’ legacy as a groundbreaking guitarist, expert songwriter, and influential determine within the realm of heavy metallic will undoubtedly endure. His journey, marked by creativity, ardour, and resilience, serves as an inspiring testomony to the facility of music and the profound influence it could possibly have on each artists and followers alike.
