1. Band Member Departures: Several key members of Hinder left the band over time. Founding members Joe Garvey (guitar) and Mike Rodden (drums) departed in 2008, and lead vocalist Austin John Winkler announced his exit in 2013. These departures disrupted the band's lineup and creative process.
2. Changing Music Trends: The early 2000s saw the rise of post-grunge and hard rock bands like Hinder, but the music landscape began to shift in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Genres such as pop, EDM, and indie rock gained more prominence, and Hinder's brand of hard rock became less mainstream.
3. Creative Stagnation: Hinder's music was perceived by some critics and fans as lacking evolution or innovation. The band's sound remained relatively consistent over their first three albums, and they struggled to come up with new and exciting material.
4. Legal and Personal Issues: The band faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit from a former record label over unpaid royalties. Additionally, lead vocalist Austin John Winkler had well-publicized personal struggles related to substance abuse and legal troubles, which negatively affected the band's image.
5. Loss of Label Support: Hinder's relationship with their record label began to deteriorate due to declining sales and creative differences. This lack of label support hindered the band's ability to promote and release new music effectively.
In summary, Hinder's decline was the result of a combination of factors, including member departures, changing music trends, creative stagnation, legal and personal issues, and loss of label support. These challenges ultimately led to the band's decreased popularity and success in the music industry.