As many of you know, Middian received a cease and desist demand in October from Midian of Milwaukee LLC. This demand required Middian to stop using our name completely, stop selling our album, and further demanded that all of our recorded cds and albums be destroyed. Middian was served a cease and desist by a band that has never played outside of Wisconsin, hasn't put out a single record, or had a steady line up in the last 7 years. They hadn't even updated their website since year 2000, as of a few weeks ago. We played Milwaukee in May, and no one there even mentioned a local band Midian of one "d". Nor did one of their "fans" come to the show.

Prior to this demand, we had never heard of them. Upon further research into the group, we discovered they had not used their name or trademark in years or even played outside of Wisconsin, ever. Our initial response was that our bands could peacefully co-exist. Especially since we learned that our usage combined with their non-usage entitled us to the name, rendering their trademark useless. But we felt it would be wasting everyones time and money to send the issue to litigation. Besides, before the name Middian was chosen, a careful online search was done, proving that no other active unit had the same spelling.

Instead of responding or agreeing to our offer of co-existence, they filed a federal suit against the three of us individually, our label (Metal Blade, who dropped us because of the suit), our booking agent Nanotear Booking, and an online merchandiser we had never even heard of until we saw the complaint.

We sent them word that we would give the name up and even agreed to some other demands that seemed unreasonable, simply because we're not in a financial position to fight it.

They refused to accept our settlement, demanding we pay them tens of thousands of dollars. By right of actual usage worlwide, the name Middian is ours. Regardless of that we have no choice but to FIGHT and defend ourselves in court. We intend to strip them of their trademark and deny them their unfair demands of money and of our music.

We're humbly asking for YOUR help. Spread the word far and wide, to wherever you can. If you can afford it, please donate some money to our defense fund. We're going to have A LOT of legal fees and we're simply not in a position to pay for it by ourselves.

We would like to thank everyone that has sent us messages. The underground metal community's love has simply been overwhelming.

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Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Middian

Korpiklaani's next album entitled Korven Kuningas will be released 21 March 2008.

And on 14 February 2008 a CD single as well as a 7" picture vinyl will be released. The title for the single will be "Keep On Galloping" and it will contain the two songs "Keep On Galloping" and "Paljon On Koskessa Kiviä".

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Source:	korpiklaani.com
Band profile:	Korpiklaani

Official Nailboard Records press release:

"Throughout the ages it has been under way. Life has carried itself. Carried secrets in itself... Carried life through life. Ourselves among the bearers. Together we have come from the unknown and are heading... This path begins somewhere and it will lead on to somewhere... to the finite and the endless, in ourselves and in those who will follow... The thirst for life spurs one to heave the fertility stone... to blow life's sparks into a roaring flame, to find answers in oneself to the most primeval roots that fall speechless before our questions. To questions that rise swords and let them fall again, feel harsh fangs and blow warmth to frozen hearts. A human being's questions to life. And the answers scour wild expanses and the frozen high seas, and roam among people and the inner flame...

"Iivakivi" was performed and recorded by Lauri "Mida juua?!" Liivak and Metsatöll in "Forwards" studio, Tartu, November 10220. The sound was polished by Kristo Kotkas in ?Sinusoid" studio, December 10220. Release date 24. February 10221/2008."

"Iivakivi" cover art image] tracklist:

01. Iivakivi Listen]
02. Merehunt
03. Hetk Enne Lahingut
04. Sõjasarv
05. Veelind Listen]
06. Isa Süda
07. Metsaviha
08. Rauast Sõnad
09. Va Lendva
10. Äikesepoeg

More about Metsatöll on http://www.myspace.com/metsatoll and http://www.metsatoll.ee.

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Source:	nailboard.org
Band profile:	Metsatöll

Swiss folk metal band Eluveitie will release its new album, "Slania", in Germany on February 15, 2008. According to the band, the CD is "the perfection of the first album, but still there is enough room to give some new influences a chance. Expect nothing less than a masterpiece of hellish heavy folk metal with an 'x' factor!"

Slania tracklist:

01. Samon
02. Primordial Breath
03. Inis Mona
04. Grey Sublime Archon
05. Anagantios
06. Bloodstained Ground
07. The Somber Lay
08. Slanias Song
09. Giamonios
10. Tarvos
11. Calling The Rain
12. Elembivos

In other news, Eluveitie are confirmed for next years installment of the Summer Breeze festival - taking place August 14-16 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. Other confirmed bands: Exodus, Paradise Lost, Ensiferum, Korpiklaani, Kataklysm and many more?

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Source:	nuclearblast.de
Band profile:	Eluveitie

Circus Maximus has posted the following statement on their website:

"To all fans and friends in the states. We are sorry to say that we have to cancel the upcoming tour due to some major turn of events. The reason is that we have been offered to participate on a European tour as support for a bigger act. This is an opportunity that we can't say no to. We hope you all understand our decision and that we will see you all on tour, hopefully in the near future.

We would also like to throw a BIG thank you to Glenn, Hoyt, Lars and Claus at Intromental who has been working their asses of for the last 6 months . Without them a USA tour wouldn't even be possible . They even believed in the tour after Circle II Circle had to cancel and that is something that they should get a lot of credit for . Kudos to them!! They support and respect our decision and understand that this is a very important move for our career in Europe and a huge step for the band in general.

All the best, Circus Maximus"

The tour was suppose to take place Feb/Mar 2008 teaming up with Danish metallers Manticora.

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Source:	circusmaximussite.com
Band profile:	Circus Maximus
Event:	Circus Maximus + Manticora [CANCELLED]

Swedish Melodic Death Metal outfit Unleashed recently announced the following on their website: "The result of the pre-production of the new album is very satisfying and we will enter the studio early January to record our 9th full length album. Title, release date and such will be posted on the website soon. The new Unleashed album will continue in the same victorious spirit as our previous album "Midvinterblot"."

Source:	unleashed.se
Band profile:	Unleashed

MetalKult.com has just posted six MP3 audio files from a 1988 Death rehearsal.

In January 1988, the members of Death convened in Orlando, Florida, to rehearse six of the songs that would eventually wind up on the band's second and highly influential album, "Leprosy".

The tracks captured during that rehearsal are as follows:

01. Left To Die
02. Open Casket
03. Pull The Plug
04. Choke On It
05. Born Dead
06. Forgotten Past

The Death lineup at the time included guitarist/vocalist Chuck Schuldiner, guitarist Rick Rozz, bassist Terry Butler and drummer Bill Andrews.

Go to MetalKult.com to download these mp3s.

In other news, according to Blabbermouth.net, Death's classic 1995 album "Symbolic" will be reissued in March 2008 via Roadrunner Records. The remastered LP will include the original album tracks plus several previously unreleased, ultra-rare, mostly instrumental demo recordings that were completed in early 1994 with the lineup of Chuck Schuldiner (guitar), Gene Hoglan (drums) and Steve DiGiorgio (bass). The package will also come with brand new liner notes written by longtime metal journalist Don Kaye.

"Symbolic" has sold just under 50,000 copies in the United States in the 12 years since its release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Death

Swedish death metallers have revealed the new title of their upcoming album; it will be called "Dominion VIII" and will contain 9 tracks of sheer evil and mass brutality. Currently the vocal parts and mixing/mastering is underway and will be completed next January.

Source:	grave.se
Band profile:	Grave

Castle Festival Team has announced the first bands for Serbian biggest open air metal festival: Judas Priest, Avantasia, Helloween, Sodom, At The Gates, Soilwork, Dismember, Ensiferum, Saturnus, Sybreed, Manticora.

Castle Festival 2008 will take place during the first 5 days of July at the Smederevo Fortress, Serbia! Tickets are already on sale.

All info on http://castlefestival.organd http://www.myspace.com/castlef.

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Source:	castlefestival.org
Event:	Castle Festival - CANCELLED!

In March 2008, Arch Enemy will be touring Japan supported by Shadows Fall. Guitarist Michael Amott has posted the following comments on the band's website:
"It feels great to announce the 2008 Japan headline tour which we are calling... "Tyrants Of The Rising Sun"! This band loves touring Japan and even after countless visits under our belts we are still ecstatic about this next venture to the land in the east. The "Rise Of The Tyrant" album has performed phenomenally in Japan and is our fastest selling album there in the history of the band. Our recent performances at the amazing Loud Park festivals in Tokyo and Osaka is fresh in our memories and we are anxious to return! We'll be working hard at putting together a special and memorable show for our Japanese fans. See you in March!"

Here are Arch Enemy's tour dates in Japan:
07 Mar - Kawasaki, Club Citta'
08 Mar - Tokyo, Shinkiba Studio Coast
10 Mar - Nagoya, Club Diamond Hall
11 Mar - Osaka, Namba Hatch

Source:	archenemy.net
Band profile:	Arch Enemy

The 69 Eyes has announced that their first ever live album will be released on 16th January. The Album is entitled "Hollywood Kills - Live At The Whisky A Go Go" and it comes out through Virgin Finland.

The Tracklisting is as follows:
01. Introduction By Bam Margera
02. Devils
03. Don't Turn Your Back On Fear
04. Betty Blue
05. Christina Death
06. Crashing High
07. The Chair
08. Hevioso
09. Feel Berlin
10. Gothic Girl
11. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
12. Sister Of Charity
13. Dance d'Amour
14. Framed In Blood
15. Lost Boys
16. I Just Want To Have Something To Do
17. Brandon Lee

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Source:	69eyes.com
Band profile:	The 69 Eyes

Porcupine Tree 's "Fear of a Blank Planet" album has received a nomination at this year's Grammy awards, for "Best Surround Sound Album". The full list of nominees is available on the official Grammy website

In other news, Snapper Music will gradually make Porcupine Tree catalogue available for digital download (including most of the band's music originally issued between 1992-2000) over the next few months. The albums will be made available in chronological order, starting with "On the Sunday of Life..." (1992) and the updated 2005 version of "Up the Downstair" (1993), which will be available from 11th December. The micro-site for the downloads can be found here.

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Source:	porcupinetree.com
Band profile:	Porcupine Tree

The band reported that everything has been recorded for the new album and the mixing will start at the beginning of 2008. The band estimates 1-2 weeks to get everything completed. This album will be guitar driven, raw sounding, more riff-oriented but melodic as Kalmah album always is. The band members state that they're very pleased with the results so far.

New pictures have been posted in the band's gallery, and can be viewed here.

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Source:	kalmah.com
Band profile:	Kalmah

Long-running German metallers Atrocity will release a new two-song download single on 11 January, and according to vocalist Alex Krull, "Smalltown Boy turned out to be hymn-like, catchy and melodic whereas Relax has become a real monster song!"

"Smalltown Boy" and "Relax" come off Atrocity's long-awaited new album, "Werk 80 II", which is scheduled for release on 29 February 2008. Like the first "Werk 80" release, which came out in 1997, "Werk 80 II" features Atrocity's interpretations of hit songs from the '80s.

"Werk 80 II" tracklisting:

01. People Are People (Depeche Mode)
02. Smalltown Boy (Bronski Beat)
03. Relax (Frankie Goes To Hollywood)
04. Don't You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds)
05. The Sun Always Shines on TV (A-Ha)
06. Hey Little Girl (Icehouse)
07. Fade To Grey (Visage)
08. Such A Shame (Talk Talk)
09. Keine Heimat (Ideal)
10. Here Comes The Rain Again (Eurythmics)
11. Forever Young (Alphaville)
12. Feels Like Heaven (Fiction Factory)

Fans will get a chance to preview the songs on "Werk 80 II" one track at a time everyday on Atrocity's homepage beginning on 1 January 2008 and ending on the single's release date.

World-famous burlesque dancer and Marilyn Manson's estranged wife Dita Von Teese is the cover model on "Werk 80 II".

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Source:	atrocity.de
Band profile:	Atrocity

Danish metallers Royal Hunt announced on their website that their upcoming album entitled Collision Course - Paradox II will be out in Feb/Mar 2008. The band is also working on some tour dates for next spring.

In other news, the band earlier this month has announced a new vocalist, Mark Boals who has contributed to the upcoming release. Two tracks from the new albums, "Blood In Blood Out" and "Surrender" are streaming on the band's myspace page.

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Source:	royalhunt.com
Band profile:	Royal Hunt