A few days ago, the news broke of Brent Hinds’ passing, the result of a tragic motorcycle accident. Hinds was renowned for his 25-year tenure as the guitarist of the American metal band Mastodon.
The news came as a shock, as Hinds had been on my mind in recent weeks. Just a few months ago, his departure from the band was announced, initially framed as a mutual and amicable split. Over time, however, it became clear that this wasn’t the case.
There was drama, with Hinds making accusatory remarks toward his former bandmates. I believe many Mastodon fans watched this unfold with a sense of bitterness, fully aware that one of our favorite bands would never be the same.
For my part, Mastodon is one of the few contemporary American metal bands I truly admire, and Hinds was always my favorite member. As the lead guitarist and co-vocalist, he was a cornerstone of the band. His guitar sound—jarring, chaotic, yet hauntingly musical—shone through every song, as did his unmistakable voice.
Hinds’ death at 51 leaves me with a sense of unease. It hits hard, not only because it reminds me of the fleeting nature of human existence, but also because it underscores the tragic end to his career. After 25 years of relentless effort and achieving immense success with the band, he was ousted from his life’s work by the other members, only to meet a sudden, violent, and solitary death months later. There are likely many details about the band’s split that I don’t know, but put so plainly, it feels harsh.
Would he still be alive if he hadn’t been kicked out of Mastodon? Perhaps. He might have been doing something else the night of the accident. Who knows? Life is that unpredictable. There’s no going back.
The contrast with another recent loss in the metal world, that of Ozzy Osbourne, is striking—a departure so different from Hinds’. This is understandable, given that Ozzy was a far larger and more iconic figure in the history of metal.
Ozzy left this world like a king—or, in his case, like the “Prince of Darkness,” as he was famously known. He passed away at home, surrounded by family, just three weeks after a triumphant farewell concert for him and his legendary band, Black Sabbath, dubbed “Back to the Beginning”. The concert was held because Ozzy was in an advanced stage of Parkinson’s disease, even performing seated, making it clear he would likely never take the stage again. Yet no one expected he would pass so soon after the event.
That concert saw countless rock and metal bands perform throughout the day, a massive tribute to Ozzy and Sabbath. Ironically, the band chosen to open the event was none other than Mastodon, performing without Hinds. I remember watching the 10-hour live stream of the concert that day, thinking how much I would have loved to see Mastodon with Hinds on guitar. In hindsight, it’s a bittersweet memory.
In the end, both Brent Hinds and Ozzy Osbourne leave behind a tremendous legacy of exceptional music that we can continue to enjoy. At least for as long as our days last.
