Following disapproval and criticism from some bands and representative labels in the martial industrial music scene and facing the threat of a lawsuit from Albin Julius of Der Blutharsch against the author and the publishing label War Office Propaganda; the publishers volunteered to stop distribution and sale of the book and destroyed all remaining copies. We received an email at Heathen Harvest June 21st 2007 from Albin Julius announcing the discontinuation of the Battlenoise book "Due to excessive copyright violation in the book 'Battlenoise' released by War Office Propaganda we forced the label to stop selling and distributing the book." In addition to suggested copy right violations some artists featured in the book also felt as if their music and reputations were misrepresented by alleged suggestions made by the author. Those bands and labels who were offended felt as if the author implied that certain artists demonstrated right wing political motivations or the music they created was suggestive of a right wing fascist sympathies or promotion. Outrage by musician's mentioned in Battlenoise hit the public arena days before Albin's announcement when Reinhardt of Stahlwerk 9 posted a critical review of Battlenoise on the Stahlwerk 9 myspace web blog. This review was quickly followed by a rebuttal posted by the English language translator of Battlenoise. These were the first public signs that Battlenoise obstacles similar to those of the musicians and artists it attempted to report upon. Steinklang Industries simultaneously posted a personal statement on the Ahnstern myspace blog taking their own stand against the publication of Battlenoise and the alleged accusations.

And so it goes that what many expected to be an authoritative book on the history of martial industrial music which promised artists profiles, reviews, song lyrics, photo collections and more is now nothing more than a closed chapter in the rather roiling history of martial industrial music. It comes as little surprise that a book attempting to describe and comment on a musical genre that seems constantly embroiled in political debate should itself become a victim of such same debate and turmoil. Martial industrial music has always had a tendency to explore some of the most painful chapters of human suffering within our collective bloody histories. Taking inspiration and commenting upon such epic events as oppression, wars, revolutions, and uprisings there will always be expected strong emotions on all sides of these rather sensitive issues and raw events that have come to define us as people and nations.

Being a proponent of such martial industrial music at Heathen Harvest we found the debate surrounding the publication of Battlenoise and the ensuing skirmishes to be of importance for all those who hold martial industrial music close the heart. The struggles involved with this text reflect the multi faceted reactions to the martial music it describes. In the spirit of remaining true to our journalistic principles Heathen Harvest has chosen to post comments from any and all persons involved with the publication of the Battlenoise book and / or involved in the actions that led to the book being removed from sale and distribution. We have dedicated a topic in the Heathen Hideout forum to host comments submitted by those who were involved publication and cancellation of Battlenoise. We invited those who we could identify as central to these events to submit comments or personal statements in order to clarify for our readers their stand and also as an opportunity to defend or explain themselves publicly. To date PHJ the author of Battlenoise and WOP have submitted comments to Heathen Harvest for posting.

To view these comments or voice your own opinion or feelings about the Battlenoise book or its cancellation please visit the Battlenoise topic at the Heathen Hideout forum.