He left the stage on difficult terms earlier this year. Tonight, the silence is heavier than any riff. Brent Hinds — guitarist, co-founder, lightning rod, and undeniable force — is gone after a motorcycle crash in Atlanta. My heart breaks for his family, and for Troy, Bill, and Brann, who’ve now been robbed of the chance to make peace face-to-face. Whatever the drama, the art remains: Brent helped craft modern metal touchstones, and you can hear his spirit burning through every measure of Crack the Skye. Many of us will put it on tonight, not just to mourn, but to remember the curious, fearless musician who could turn chaos into cathedral-sized melody. Reports indicate the other driver failed to yield — a grim reminder to stay alert on the road, especially for riders who rarely get a second chance. The community is grieving with stories from tiny club shows to chance encounters that revealed a generous, grounded human behind the tattoos and the roar. The reunion we hoped for won’t come. The music will. Press play. Let it speak for what words can’t.