FIDEI DEFENSOR's Cognoscenti CD

CANCELLED

It seems that in the age of chaos there is no longer enough support for Golden Age releases.

Sadly, a great many are more interested in stealing music than in supporting talent.

Here are some of the gems encountered during the campaign:

Very tempted to buy it, just to upload it for everyone.
Illwish
http://tinyurl.com/6kld2ge

I can't wait to download this
Nornahamarinn
http://tinyurl.com/6kcvyvn

One person needs to get one copy, rip it and then post it on about 3 blogspots and link it on as many forums and chatrooms as possible.
Scum
http://tinyurl.com/6kcvyvn

I will be ignoring this release unless it actually ends up on blogs with rave reviews by people I trust, and then I will steal it.
Ihslahm

While some had pearls of wisdom . . .

If you sign a band, have the faith in them to at least press a small amount of copies, and then more if the demand rises - NOT the other way round.
Stranglehold
http://tinyurl.com/6keljhr

It's not lack of faith in the band, but lack of faith in the fan. And 250 is a small amount of copies.

Completely misses what a label is existing for in the first place...
Nocturnal Deathstrike
http://tinyurl.com/6kcvyvn

Completely misses the point of being a fan.

I just think it is pretty fucked, it is bad enough when a label is not releasing music because they like it but just for money . . . That is taking the whole "all about the money" angle to an all new level.
da666
http://tinyurl.com/6kcvyvn

Most would rather steal someone's work than support talent. It seems that's all about the money.

***

For years we signed artists that we liked, irrespective of their commercial prospects.

Indeed, some of our signings were quixotic, others controversial. Fortunately, many were successful, and the artists were able subsequently to secure deals with bigger labels.

Ultimately, however, a label can only support its artists and realise future projects in the measure that the artists are supported by the fans.

And nowadays, while many call themselves fans, they are not prepared to act in consequence.

They take from the scene, but give nothing in return.

Why care about downloads? Because when something requires no sacrifice, it loses its value, and eventually its meaning.

Part of what gave underground music its mystique was the fact that it was difficult to find, and even more difficult to own.

Being able to hear most records demanded commitment and sacrifice—knowing where to look, and getting there first, before they vanished.

None of that exists today.

It's become a permanently exploding piñata, with anything and everything up for grabs by anybody and everybody.

The mystery, the urgency, the sense of danger, are gone.

Most downloaded albums sit in harddrives, never to be heard, because there's no time, and there's no time because they're not worth anything, because it took no pain to obtain them.

Music sounds better when it hurts.

Is there any point releasing albums anymore?

In view the circumstances, we have decided to issue refunds and cancel all future releases.

It will be left for others to feed the spawn of the Demiurge . . .

UPDATE

It is certainly unfair that serious fans of music be penalised by what results from the internet thievery of the many.

Fortunately, at this time it was still possible for another label to take over the project. Darker than Black will release the album and has agreed to do it as soon as possible. Therefore, efforts by serious music fans have not been in vain, and those who pre-ordered the album will receive their copies; the album will feature the same artwork. We have already negotiated a supply to honour all pre-orders.

We would love to keep contributing to the scene as we did for many years; in fact we have many innovative ideas we would like to bring to fruition.

But we are not here to feed internet thieves. Our view is that if they are not willing to sacrifice for it, they don't deserve new music.

Our mail order will continue to operate as usual.

And if a solution to internet thievery is found, we will reboot the label and do it even better than before.

We would like to thank of all those—fans, artists, and labels—who have sent us supportive comments.