Christian headbangers P.O.D. have filed suit against their record label, Tennessee-based INO Records, claiming that the company breached its contract by refusing to pay the band an advance for its next album.

The suit, filed in Nashville, states that INO was required under its deal with P.O.D. to provide a $400,000 advance in November, when the group informed the label that it was ready to start recording the follow-up to 2008's "When Angels & Serpents Dance." According to the document, INO "materially breached" its agreement with P.O.D. by refusing to pay the option, claiming that P.O.D. had " 'abandoned' its obligations (to INO) under the agreement."

The suit does not detail INO's position, and the label did not respond to a request for comment.

The suit does not specify damages, but John R. Jacobson, P.O.D.'s Nashville-based attorney, told Billboard.com that the band "will seek at least the $400,000" due from the label, and possibly more.

P.O.D. signed with INO in February of 2007, following its departure from Atlantic Records after four albums, including "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown" in 1999 and 2001's "Satellite." "When Angels & Serpents Dance" debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Top 200 and marked the return of original guitarist Marco Curiel, who had left P.O.D. in 2003.

P.O.D. has concerts booked during April in South America and will also play at the Rock on the Range festival on May 21 in Columbus, Ohio.