AGE ETERNAL (formerly MIDDIAN) have disbanded. Originally formed in 2005 by Mike Scheidt after Yob's breakup, Middian released their one and only album, Age Eternal, in 2006. The record expounded upon Yob's epic tranced-out dirges by experimenting with elements of pure doom and post-hardcore, and was greeted by an overwhelmingly positive response from sludgefreaks and doom 'heads all over. Two years after the album was released by Metal Blade, Middian were contacted by a little-known local band from Milwaukee called Midian (note the single 'd') and were dragged into a grueling court battle over the rights to their band's name. They were dropped by Metal Blade, forbidden from selling their merchandise and records, and forced to change their name to Age Eternal. One long, uncertain year later, the band has called it quits.
"Our lawsuit is finally coming to a close. It has been a hard year, and we could not have done it without the support of the metal community world wide and the time and money people donated to our cause. We are eternally in your debt. Sadly, the lawsuit came with a high cost to us personally and interpersonally.
Scott Headrick is quitting the band and moving. Mike S felt he needed to back off from touring due to family and work/lack of work issues, cutting his touring commitment from 60-70 shows a year to a handful of shows, mostly local to the West Coast, for an indefinite amount of time, maybe permanently. This extreme change in direction, coupled with the immense stress of our lawsuit and inner conflicts in the band resulted in Scott's decision to move on with his life. Scott Headrick is the highest caliber of person. We mourn his loss, and support his need to take care of himself. We are very sad to share this news about Age Eternal, but are confident that it must and will open the doors for new music creation and growth.
Will Lindsay and Mike S will continue to write music with the goal of recording and doing some shows, under another name, as a new band and not Age Eternal. And with Will’s now full-time commitment playing guitar with the immaculate Wolves In The Throne Room, people should be expecting to see him in their hometown in the USA and abroad very soon.
Once again, we cannot thank the metal community and people who donated their money and time enough. We feel extremely fortunate to be a part of such a quality group of people, and we will pay your kindness and generosity forward."
On the bright side, according to the Mike Scheidt (guitars/vocals) himself, sorely-missed bringers of dooom YOB have reunited and plan to record a new album of original material that they hope to release in 2009. They also plan to play a limited number of West Coast, East Coast, and possibly UK/European shows, so keep an eye out for updates and get those frequent flier miles ready – this is one reunion you can't afford to miss.
