The estate of late Mastodon guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds has issued a new public statement addressing the lawsuit it filed against the band earlier this month.
The legal dispute centers on the handling of Hinds’ business interests following his departure from Mastodon in early 2025. According to the estate, Hinds had sought an accounting and valuation of his interests in entities connected to the band, but that process had not been completed before his death in a motorcycle accident on August 20, 2025.
The estate has also raised concerns over Mastodon’s continued use of Hinds’ likeness, including his recognizable image appearing in artwork associated with the band’s latest album, ‘Marrow Deep’. The complaint further disputes whether Hinds’ departure ended his entitlement, and now the estate’s entitlement, to a share of certain Mastodon merchandising revenue.
Following news of the lawsuit, Mastodon issued its own statement on September 11, denying allegations of ill intent and indicating that the band intended to defend itself against what it described as a meritless lawsuit.
“Sadly, a private business dispute with the estate of our dear departed friend Brent Hinds was made public. We strongly deny allegations of ill intent on our part and intend to vigorously defend what we believe is a meritless lawsuit. 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 Hinds estate has now responded, emphasizing that it does not view the lawsuit as an attempt to obtain an unexpected financial windfall. Instead, the estate says the case concerns the unresolved accounting and valuation of Hinds’ interests, along with the financial implications of Mastodon’s continued use of his identity.
“Unfortunately, public discussion has largely focused on Mastodon’s inclusion of Brent’s image in artwork for a new album and has sometimes portrayed the lawsuit as an effort by his family to obtain a windfall. That is not what the case is about.”
According to the estate, Hinds had not received compensation for his interests before his death, and the legal action is partly focused on whether his departure from Mastodon ended his entitlement to participate in merchandising revenue.
“More specifically, it relates to whether Brent’s exclusion from the band discontinued his, and now his Estate’s, entitlement to share in Mastodon’s merchandising revenue.”
The estate further argues that Mastodon’s use of Hinds’ image to promote ‘Marrow Deep’ is relevant to that dispute.
“The remaining members maintain that Brent did not participate in Mastodon’s new album, yet the band chose to use a recognizable image of him to market that album and did so without the estate’s consent. This illustrates that Brent remains relevant to Mastodon’s brand even after his exclusion and death.”
The estate added:
“The estate maintains that the band cannot fairly invoke Brent’s identity when it is commercially useful, while simultaneously denying the continuing relevance of his contributions when accounting for his interests.”
The statement concludes by stressing that the estate is not asking the public to take sides in the dispute or to diminish the musical legacy created by Hinds and his former bandmates.
“Nor does it ask the public to judge anyone’s grief or intentions.”
The estate’s complaint reportedly alleges that Mastodon offered $80,000 in connection with Hinds’ business interests. The estate is said to have declined to cash that payment, instead seeking what it considers to be a complete accounting of the interests and revenue involved.
Hinds’ departure from Mastodon was announced on March 7, 2025, following a period of apparent tension between the guitarist and his former bandmates. Mastodon largely kept details surrounding the split private until the release of ‘The Mastodon In The Room’, a short film in which the surviving members discussed Hinds’ life, his struggles and the circumstances surrounding his exit.
Bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders addressed Hinds’ struggles during the film, saying:
“The dark tones, and the alcohol, and the things that had their grips — had their nails in him — harder than ever before. And there’s always been ups and downs for the 25 years of our band, but I think it was at its peak unfortunately during these past five years.”
Sanders also reflected on the band’s touring cycle behind ‘Hushed & Grim’:
“I mean ‘Hushed & Grim’, those few years of touring on it, was the weakest band solidity and performance that we had had in a decade. And I knew in my heart that this was possibly going to plateau. And then what happens after it plateaus is it goes down.”
The lawsuit remains an ongoing legal matter, with both sides having now publicly stated their respective positions. Guitar World reported the estate’s latest statement on September 21, 2026.
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