Mastodon have answered the lawsuit filed by the estate of Brent Hinds, their late former guitarist, with a statement on social media.
"Sadly, a private business dispute with the estate of our dear departed friend Brent Hinds was made public," the band wrote. "We strongly deny allegations of ill intent on our part and intend to vigorously defend what we believe is a meritless lawsuit." They added that they do not intend to speak publicly about it again, because doing so would not honour Hinds' memory or his musical legacy.
The complaint was filed in Fulton County Court on 3 September and reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It says Hinds had never been bought out of his share of the band and its related businesses before his death, and that his likeness was used to promote Marrow Deep, a record he did not play on.
According to the complaint, the band sent the estate a document summarising the terms of the separation and a check for $80,000 as a buyout. Hinds never signed that agreement, and the estate has not cashed the check while it waits for a full accounting of what his share is worth.
We reported the filing itself in yesterday's story. None of the allegations has been tested in court.