I don't care what people say - not even Glenn or Ken. I'm the manager of Circus Maximus, and I am the one who told them to record as many bonus tracks as possible so that we could screw the labels AND the consumers for as many money as possible. That's what it's all about - that I get more money, so I can buy more CDs, and get even more drunk at ProgPower!!!
:: sarcastic mode off ::
Okay, seriously, Ken, Deron and Glenn already explained what all this is about, and I don't think I need to say anything. Except this: when we finished the mixing of the album, we were running short on time, and we actually didn't think the 3 bonus songs would be ready. However, the quality of those are fine enough now to use them as 1) a gift for the people buying that certain version and 2) a mean to get the licenses in place. For Ken it's important to be able to protect his own release, and also to be able to secure the deal in Europe. For us (band and management) it's important to have our label(s) happy, and to make sure the album will be sold with equal success in each territory, so we also have the deals ready for next album.
The bottom line is - it's DEMO material that are used as bonus songs - it's not the REAL ALBUM that has been divided out over the different releases. Yes, the demo songs are cool in their own right, but to be totally honest with you guys, even though I of course have all 3 songs here, I never listen to them - I just listen to the regular CD as it is. It would be great if all releases would be the same, but with the market situation as it is now, the flow of imports into Europe from USA (now the dollar is cheap), etc, there's no way to get around this unless ONE label releases the album worldwide. If that happened the chances of selling as much as we're hoping wouldn't be as big as with individual labels pushing their territory. As long as we're talking about independent "smaller" labels, who don't run an own department in each territory this is the only way to do it.
And now - buy ALL versions, so that I can get drunk at ProgPower. If you only buy one version, then at least buy me a beer to compensate, thanks!!!!!
Claus
Intromental