The Grammy Awards faced criticism for omitting Mastodon guitarist Brent Hinds from their In Memoriam segment. This prompted reactions from prominent metal musicians as reported on Instagram.
Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez and Exodus guitarist Gary Holt both expressed their disappointment with the Grammy Awards’ oversight regarding the late Mastodon guitarist.
“BIG party foul Grammys for forgetting the MIGHTY Brent Hinds in the In Memoriam,” Mike Inez said.
Gary Holt responded to Inez’s post with a simple but pointed reaction.
“LAME,” Holt commented.
Fans also voiced their frustration with the Grammy Awards’ treatment of heavy metal artists. One Mastodon fan noted the ongoing pattern of disrespect toward the genre.
“The Grammys have disrespected hard rock and heavy metal since 1989,” the fan commented. “No surprises. What a joke of an award ceremony.”
Another fan shared their experience watching the ceremony. They expressed concern about other metal legends being overlooked.
“I watched it hoping to see his pic show up,” they said. “I almost thought they would forget Ace Frehley.”
The omission highlights ongoing tensions between the Grammy Awards and the heavy metal community regarding recognition and representation.
Mastodon co-founder and acclaimed guitarist Brent Hinds died on August 20, 2025 at age 51 after a fatal motorcycle crash in Atlanta when his bike collided with an SUV that failed to yield, according to local authorities and police reports; his death was confirmed by the Fulton County medical examiner and followed his amicable departure from Mastodon earlier that year after 25 years with the band.
Hinds was central to Mastodon’s identity, co-founding the band and shaping its signature sound with his blues-soaked, Southern-fried guitar style and distinctive vocal presence.
His playing and songwriting helped push Mastodon from sludge-metal origins into more progressive, melodic territory, making him one of the key architects of the band’s evolution and long-term influence in modern metal.
