WHAT THEY SAID
"We strongly deny allegations of ill intent on our part and intend to vigorously defend what we believe is a meritless lawsuit."* Mastodon posted that Sept. 11 after Brent Hinds' estate sued the surviving members, adding they won't speak on it publicly again ‡, ‡‡.
THE DETAILS
- Civil complaint filed Sept. 3 in Fulton County Court, first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ‡, ‡‡.
- The estate says Hinds never signed the separation paperwork, so his ownership stake in the band's businesses stands †, ‡.
- Band sent an $80,000 buyout check with no breakdown of the math; the estate won't cash it without a full accounting *, ‡‡.
- Estate claims Hinds' face is worked into the Marrow Deep cover art — alongside Brann Dailor's late mother — though Hinds plays nothing on the record ‡.
- Suit also faults Dailor, Troy Sanders and Bill Kelliher for airing Hinds' private life in their 35-minute documentary ‡.
WHO IS RIGHT
On the money, the estate. An $80,000 check with no math attached, tied to paperwork Hinds never signed, isn't a finished buyout — the artwork claim is far shakier, since that same cover hides Dailor's mother too.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Unresolved: Mastodon tour Sept. 16 in Orlando through Oct. 24 in Fort Worth while the Fulton County case moves forward *, †.