Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt has paid a heartfelt tribute to former Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds, who tragically died in a car crash on Wednesday, August 20. In a statement posted on social media, Åkerfeldt shared his personal connection with Hinds, whom he affectionately referred to as “Son.”
The news of the musician’s passing came as a profound shock to Åkerfeldt, who was having coffee with his mother when he received the call from the Mastodon members. “I couldn’t really hear what they were saying, to be honest. I was (and still am) overwhelmed by shock,” he wrote.
Åkerfeldt reflected on the time the two bands spent together on the road, where a close bond was formed. He described Hinds as a “force of nature” who always commanded attention. He recalled a running joke between the two, which led to a lasting nickname. “I’d keep an eye on him/them and their usual tour-shenanigans to the point where Brent started calling me ‘Dad’, and I was calling him ‘Son’,” Åkerfeldt explained.
The Opeth frontman shared a vivid memory of their last meeting when Hinds attended an Opeth show in Atlanta on October 22, 2024. “He walks in and goes ‘What’s up Pops?'” Åkerfeldt recalled, noting that the memory now makes him “numb with sadness.”
In his full statement, Mikael Åkerfeldt offered his condolences to Hinds’ family and friends:
“Brent Hinds is gone. An incredible musician. A force of nature. Our friend. My friend. I got the news today from the Mastodon boys as I was having coffee with my mother and her partner. They’re talking about their plans for the upcoming weekend, but I couldn’t really hear what they were saying, to be honest. I was (and still am) overwhelmed by shock. I reached out to the boys in my band delivering the tragic news and my phone has been buzzing every 10 seconds since. There’s so much to be said about Brent. We’ve spend so much time together with him on the road. I like to think we got to know each other quite well. Brent demanded attention (and got it) every time he stepped into our dressing room or bus, which was quite often, I’d might add. Fred and him would jam backstage. I’d keep an eye on him/them and their usual tour-shenanigans to the point where Brent started calling me ”Dad”, and I was calling him ”Son”.
I have so many memories of him, most of which I can sum up as ”good times”. We often talked about stage nerves. How nervousness can be good, but also, if bad, how it can hinder your performance. The latter sensation manifested itself as a fictional person: ”Peter”. Brent would go: ”Peter was on stage tonight, and that f**ker sucks a**” when he had a bad show.
It’s too soon to grieve I suppose, this hasn’t sunk in at all. I only just heard about this tragedy 5 hours ago. It’s beyond devastating, and judging from what’s being said on our private Opeth group-chat I know I can speak for the whole band.
The ”Dad-Son” thing stuck over the years. I last saw Brent when he came to our show in Atlanta (October 22, 2024). He walks in and goes ”What’s up Pops?”. It’s a very, very bright memory but it makes me numb with sadness right now, thinking about it.
We’d like to offer our warmest and most loving condolences to his family and friends, colleagues, fans, and of course to the whole Mastodon inner circle. The incredible band that was instrumental for making us and the world aware of the phenomenon that is Brent Hinds. Note that I can’t write about him in past tense just yet. He still ”is”.
I’ve included a photo of myself and Brent from our last tour together. I fail to remember where it was taken, but I remember we’re singing along to Van Halen’s ”5150”. Right there, is exactly how I will remember him. Always.
Brent Hinds, rest in peace.
Love from your friends in Opeth
Mikael Åkerfeldt, August 21, 2025″
The incident occurred on Wednesday night, August 20, and was later confirmed by the Fulton County medical examiner’s office. Initial reports of his passing began to circulate after Tool guitarist Adam Jones shared the news on his Instagram story.
The Atlanta Police Department released an official statement regarding the incident:
“Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive male who was involved in the collision. The male appeared to be operating a Harley Davidson during the time of collision. Medical personnel pronounced the male deceased. The other driver involved, a female who occupied a BMW SUV remained on scene. The APD Accident Investigations Unit responded to the scene to determine the circumstances. Preliminary investigation indicates the male was traveling West on Boulevard. The female operating the BMW SUV failed to yield while turning left and collided into the male victim who was operating the Harley Davidson. The investigation remains active at this time.”
Hinds was a founding member of Mastodon and served as a lead guitarist and vocalist for the band for 25 years. The band’s lineup remained constant for all eight of their studio albums, from 2002’s Remission to 2021’s Hushed and Grim.
