Guitar Journal: Brent Hinds Remembered
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This week, we look at the life of Brent Hinds, the former Mastodon guitarist, who tragically died at 51 in a motorcycle crash on Wednesday, 20 August. His shocking passing has sent ripples through the guitar community. Then we take a brief look at the DOD Badder Monkey being teased online and the upcoming Lava Studio.
Brent Hinds: 16 January 1974 – 20 August 2025
Brent Hinds, a co-founding guitarist and singer for the Grammy-winning metal band Mastodon, died at age 51 on Wednesday after a motorcycle accident in southeast Atlanta.
Motorcycle Crash
His death has sent shockwaves through the music community, with tributes pouring in from his former bandmates and fans.
According to a police report, Hinds’ Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with a BMW SUV at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Boulevard. The driver of the SUV allegedly “failed to yield while making a turn.” Hinds was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mastodon
A native of Helena, Alabama, Hinds was a cornerstone of Mastodon’s sound for 25 years. The band, which he formed with guitarist Bill Kelliher, bassist Troy Sanders, and drummer Brann Dailor, challenged the conventions of metal by blending a wide range of influences, including country music, into their distinctive heavy sound. Hinds’ unique guitar work and vocals were a key part of the band’s critical and commercial success.
Before Mastodon, he had played in Four Hour Fogger with Troy Sanders, and together they had formed Mastodon when they met Bill Kelliher and Brann Dailor at a High on Fire show in Atlanta in 2000.
He had recently parted ways with Mastodon in March.
Emotional Tributes from Bandmates
The news of Hinds’ passing was first confirmed by Mastodon’s drummer Brann Dailor during a performance at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer, Alaska, two days after the accident. A visibly emotional Dailor paid tribute to his friend and bandmate.
“We lost somebody very special to us yesterday,” Dailor told the crowd. “Brent Hinds, 25 years with us as our guitar player, one of the most creative, beautiful people that we’ve ever come across in this world, tragically left us… We were brothers to the end.”
Dailor reflected on their shared history, from touring in a van to making music that “will stand the test of time.” He thanked the audience for helping the band get through a difficult night, dedicating the show to Hinds.
In a separate social media post, guitarist Bill Kelliher also expressed his grief, reflecting on his long history with Hinds. “It’s been hard to get a grip on my emotions this week,” Kelliher wrote. “We had our good and bad times just like in any relationship… I didn’t think you’d be taken from us like this, absolute loss of a true one of a kind guitar wizard extraordinaire.”
Kelliher affectionately referred to Hinds as “a wild man not to be tamed,” and concluded his tribute by saying, “I will miss your crazy ass Manimal.”
Mastodon also released a statement, saying, “We are in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief… We are heartbroken, shocked, and still trying to process the loss of this creative force with whom we’ve shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many.”
The music community continues to mourn the loss of Hinds, whose contributions to metal helped shape the genre for the 21st century. He also performed with Fiend Without a Face, Legend of the Seagullmen, and the Giraffe Tongue Orchestra. along with many side projects.
Signature Gear
He was responsible for some pretty epic signature guitar gear over the last 10 years, whilst I have been writing for Gear News, including his Epiphone Flying V and his signature Orange Terror amp head, to name just two. He also helped create numerous fun pedals, including the KHDK Unicorn Blood and a range of effects under his own Dirty B Hinds moniker.
Brent Hinds left a profound mark on the world of guitar, and his legacy endures through his music. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
DOD Badder Monkey
The DOD Badder Monkey is being teased ahead of an official release, and all we know is that it is a new, updated version of the Digitech Bad Monkey overdrive pedal. Those original Bad Monkey pedals were an affordable overdrive until Josh Scott suggested they sounded like a Klon, then the price went through the roof
Watch This Space
A short video uploaded by the 60 Cycle Hum YouTube channel is all that is currently available, so we will update you once we have some official information and a price.
If it’s a DOD pedal, then it should be pretty well made, and I’m guessing they will have tweaked the circuit quite a bit. Let us know what new features you would like to see in the Badder Monkey overdrive pedal.
Lava Studio
Lava Studio has also been teased over the last few days, and this one claims to offer everything guitarists could need in a compact unit with a built-in 13.3″ touchscreen. It is being produced by Lava Music, who love making futuristic-looking guitar gear.
Neural Modeling
Thanks to its LavaAI Neural Modeling, you get access to over 30 AI-powered models of iconic amps from brands like Marshall, Fender, and Orange, along with a wide range of built-in stompbox effects.
The studio also has a built-in looper and multi-track DAW so you can easily record, mix, and layer your tracks. For those looking to learn, it includes an interactive platform with lessons from professional guitarists.
After you’ve finished, you can upload your music to the Lava online community to collaborate with other musicians. With integrated Spotify and Apple Music apps, plus Bluetooth connectivity, the Lava Studio can also serve as a premium home entertainment system.
The Lava Studio will launch through a crowdfunding campaign, with an initial price of $999. We will update you once it all goes live.
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One response to “Guitar Journal: Brent Hinds Remembered”
Earlier today I clicked on the link to the Unicorn Blood pedal & got a Vishing Popup. Watch out!