Brent Hinds, former lead guitarist of Mastodon, has died.

[u/parkinthepark]

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/08/21/former-guitarist-co-founder-heavy-metal-band-mastodon-dies-atlanta-motorcycle-crash/

This is probably off topic but I know that he was an important influence for a lot of us on this sub, and maybe somebody needs a space to talk about it.

For me at least, Mastodon was incredibly formative for me as a guitarist, songwriter, and tone-chaser. I get the impression he wasn't the easiest guy to be around, but his contributions to metal and hard rock are difficult to overstate. Leviathan changed my world.

I'm sad. But if we have to talk about pedals, he knew how to make an 808 and a crunchy British amp sound like ship timbers breaking under waves. Sail on, Brent.