The estate of the late Brent Hinds has sued Mastodon for paying what it deems too little compensation for the singer’s likeness and his share of the band’s companies, The Atlanta Jounal-Constitution reports. Hinds’ estate claims it received a check from the band for $80,000, ostensibly representing the sum of the singer-guitarist’s interests. The estate has declined to cash the check because the figure was not backed up by calculations, according to the suit. In a statement, Mastodon strongly denied allegations of ill intent, saying the band would “vigorously defend” itself against the “meritless” suit. “We don’t intend to speak publicly on this going forward, as we feel this wouldn’t honor Brent’s memory or the legacy of his musical gifts.”
The lawsuit, filed in Fulton County Court last week, follows the release last month of Marrow Deep, the Atlanta metal band’s first album since Hinds died in a motorcycle crash last summer. The record, dedicated both to Hinds and to drummer Brann Dailor’s late mother, has cover art depicting three figures based on the Fates from Greek mythology. One figure has a torso made of skulls, one of which resembles Hinds. The estate argues the band “disseminated that cover to advertise, market, distribute, and sell” its music and merch.
The basis of the dispute is Hinds and the band’s split in March 2025, five months before his death. The remaining band members’ cordial messaging (“we wish him nothing but success and happiness”) was at odds with Hinds’ airing of grievances on social media, in hostile comments that continued until the days before his death. Bassist Troy Sanders, guitarist Bill Kelliher, and Dailor are all named as defendants in the civil suit.
The lawsuit outlines alleged details of Hinds’ release from the band that Mastodon had, in an email to him, initially proposed keeping confidential. Having summarized the terms of the separation, the group said the remaining members would buy out Hinds’ share of Mastodon’s companies, according to the lawsuit. But Hinds never signed the agreement and was killed before terms were reached, the estate said.
Before Marrow Deep’s release, Mastodon posted a 35-minute video grieving Hinds and touching on patterns of behavior that led to his ejection. The members attributed some issues with their former bandmate to his alleged substance use. Without specifying those remarks, the lawsuit also criticized Mastodon for disclosing details that Hinds “chose to keep private while he was alive” in its promotion of the album.
