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Brent Hinds, the former lead guitarist of the acclaimed heavy metal group Mastodon, was killed in Atlanta overnight.<\/p>\n
Police said Hinds, 51, died late on Wednesday after his Harley-Davidson collided with a BMW SUV whose driver did not yield while making a turn. The crash occurred at about 11.35pm.<\/p>\n
The Fulton county medical examiner\u2019s office later confirmed his death.<\/p>\n
Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 alongside bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor, and went on to gain recognition for his role in the Atlanta-based band.<\/p>\n
In a statement posted to Instagram, Mastodon said they were in a \u201cstate of unfathomable sadness and grief\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are heartbroken, shocked, and still trying to process the loss of this creative force with whom we\u2019ve shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many,\u201d the band wrote. \u201cOur hearts are with Brent\u2019s family, friends, and fans. At this time, we please ask that you respect everyone\u2019s privacy during this difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Billboard reported that Mastodon and Hinds had \u201cmutually decided to part ways\u201d. But earlier this month, Hinds disputed that account, saying he was forced out and referring to his ex-bandmates as \u201chorrible humans\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mastodon released their debut album, Remission, in 2002. Their hardcore sound that combined prog-rock, alternative and grunge among other styles quickly caught the attention of heavy metal fans, and their follow-up record, Leviathan, elevated the group to the metal music mainstream.<\/p>\n
Despite the group\u2019s heavy metal influences, Hinds told the Guardian back in 2009 that he felt the band were more classic rock than metal. \u201cThat\u2019s the direction I\u2019ve always wanted us to take,\u201d he said. \u201cI never wanted us to be this screaming, lumbering, lotsa-drum-solos band, I always wanted us to be this heavy, psychedelic thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hinds also had a small foray into television when he, along with his former band members, made a brief appearance on the popular HBO series Game of Thrones as \u201cwildings\u201d in the show\u2019s fifth season.<\/p>\n