When the Southern California stoner band Dios changed their name to Dios (Malos) back in 2004, it wasn't because they were looking something different. Nor did they mean any ill will towards god or to say that gods are bad, as the Spanish interpretation of that name may imply (technically "dios malos" translates into a singular "god" and a plural "bad"). In fact, they wouldn't have changed their name at all if it weren't for meddling metal man Ronnie James Dio, who had his lawyers send the band a cease and desist letter.

"I mean, if you think a band named themselves Dios because they were trying to pluralize Dio then you're a weird dude," guitarist/vocalist Joel Morales tells Spinner. "The lawyers said Dio's fans were being 'confused' by the band name, which kinda explains why they're Dio fans to begin with."

It's funny because it's kinda true. Morales says that, even after the letter, he was still opposed to changing the band name, but went with Dios (Malos) after a long, arduous process in which Dio's lawyers shot down many proposed alternatives. "I thought we should've used the silliness of the whole thing to get our name out more, maybe not even change the name at all and let him sue us," says Morales. "It would've been hilarious and would've been a good story. But there were too many [wimps] in Camp Dios at the time, so no one wanted to go to war with me."

With a new record label, Buddyhead, supporting them, Dios is back to their original one-word name, boldly announced in the title of their new album, 'We Are Dios,' which drops in late July. In the meantime, fans can pick up a digital EP called 'Cosmic Rays,' which features videos, MP3s and photos, and no references to '80s metal bands or post-Ozzy Black Sabbath. At least, as far as we can tell.