Promotion delays on albums

[Daybreaker]

I couldnt think of a good title for this so thatll work. I've actually been thinking about maybe making this into an editorial for the site too.

Anyways, whats the longest delay from the album being in the can to actually being released that you know of? Not due to internal struggles or anything but just so the label can promote the cd more. I mean damn, take Glorious Burden, that was done and in the can for a long long time, hell the original release was slated to be in September but then that got pushed back 4 damn months. Spinefarm on the other hand, when a band is done, the albums in your hands at most like 2 months later. Another thing I've noticed is that the wait between a single / Ep to the album is now alot longer than usual. It used to be that a single was released and maybe a month later, usually sooner, the albums out, the single was a teaser, a taste. Iced Earth again, Reckoning Oct 10, cd out Jan 13. And the single didnt even have exclusive songs!! I noticed also that Spinefarm is doing this on Nemo, and Once. Nemos out what in April? and the albums out in June. To me this is kinda ridiculous, esp for a band with the stature of Iced Earth or Nightwish. Its not like someone reading Hit Parader is gonna go "WOW!!! I gotta pick that up after seeing the ad next to Korn and some shitty emo band!" They have their legions of fans that will buy it for sure. Although you could go about talking about how every band wants to bring in new listeners but I think there's a way to promote an album better than delaying it 4 months. anyways, thats my thoughts on it in a nutshell.

Ben

 

[Creeps]

An album could be delayed for any reasons; recording, finance, mass production and maybe promotion. I really have never heard of an album being delaed for promotional reasons, but there's always a first. Record companies have a few types of promotion; radio, retail, advertising.. retail promotion (in the good old days) consisted of boxes of posters, stand-ups and collectible goodies sent out or delivered to record stores for display in conjunction with the sale of the album. Radio, we all know how pointless it is for metal labels to solicit clear channel, so we won't go there.. and magazines, internet, yadda yadda

Finance, perhaps on a small indie label haveing a few too many bands and they need to wait for some cash to roll in. Not getting the sales they expected out of one band could delay another. When you're working indie, you're not really making it rich. If you want a really good read on some of this, pick up a copy of the METAL BLADE box set if you can find one, the booklet is like a history of metal and it's industry.

On major releases you will rarely see a "Madonna" and a "Janet Jackson" (only examples I can think of) released on the same day, or usually within the same week or 2. Companies will push or pull their releases so they don't clash with other big-sellers. They want their fans buying THAT album when it comes out... not having a choice of which album to buy. Granted, metal people usually won't have to worry about that.


As to the other part of your question the only album that screams "injustice" to me from being delayed countless times is KISS' Crazy Nights (yes, my rocker is showing again). Well in high school this murdered me. It was supposed to be released in September and kept getting pushed back and back until a Jan release right before the tour hit St Pete Florida. And yes, I was in the record store EVERY Tuesday from Sept until it's release date. (imitates old man) "you see kiddies, back then we didn't have this blasted internet thing to keep tabs on our bands, we had monthly magazines, ignorant record store employees and the mythical fan club newsletter" I hear you all gasping now.

 

[nightwish58]

Well, I just received Angels Grace (Underground Symphony) to find out that it was recorded in 2000!!! It took them 4 years to release that album. But Underground Symphony is a whole different animal when it comes to labels as they are a complete mess. By the way, the album is actually pretty good; nothing great, but definitely accessible.

 

[JayKeeley]

Yeah it is getting ludicrous, and something that seems to have gotten worse over time. Nowadays, albums are being released within a matter of days/weeks of the actual world tour. Just look at the release dates for the new Evergrey or Edguy albums.

The band isn't to blame, however. The labels will promote the hell out of tours and get the bands to do a million interviews - even before the press have heard the actual album!! The most recent interviews Edguy held were conducted last week. Why? In order to promote "Hellfire Club" and the tour. Thing is, nobody in the US has this promo yet. (I'm not talking about European press, or people who download crappy MP3s from the web - I'm talking about official US promo releases).

So I agree, it just seems a tad topsy turvy to moi, and it's very frustrating for the artists who just want to get their new music out.

 

[Nightmare1z]

I agree. I can't even remember how long it took for Nightwish's Century Child to officially be distributed in the US...at least I year I believe. That's what I'm not looking forward to on the new release, will probably have to order the European version.

Also, some of the singles just suck too. Like Kotipelto's new single...has nothing really worthy of paying 6-9 bucks for...yet the labels act like its a huge deal. A longer solo in one song off his first album? 2 tracks from the second debut *So I end up paying twice for 2 songs*...I don't think so

 

[Daybreaker]

On Century Child it came out in Finland, June or July of 02. . Anyways, yea it came out then, and then in the US in SEPTEMBER OF 2003! Really, it hit me this Monday, Im sick and fucking tired of the US being shafted. You know what would have been great? When I woke up Monday I take a shower, and drive to the store and pick up the new Power Quest and Edguy and head home and blast the hell outta em. But instead its, place an order on the net, wait for them to get it in, then have them send it out to me. I mean granted I should have those in Monday but damn. Release dates now to me are like "ok thats when the albums out, hope I get it sometime soon" I know this sounds wienery and whiney but hey. Its true.

Ben

 

[Kong]

From everything I have learned recently, the bands that are signed to European labels, or Euro-affliliates from U.S. labels, usually release their records at 2 critical times of the year, Spring and Fall. Because of the lengthy European vacation calendar and the countless festivals, summer releases are not a could sales decision ($). So if the bands record is done in April, it may not get released until after October/November....But that of course is not the case with everyband. I guess it just depends on the label and the territory they are actively promoting.

 

[Daybreaker]

Yea that would explain things like Testament getting a delayed release in Germany, but the problem is I love all these Euro bands haha. Or bands that are based in America (Virgin Steele and Iced Earth) that still are signed to Euro labels and the US is alot later.

Ben

 

[Nightmare1z]

Wow Daybreaker...I ordered both the Power Quest and Edguy new release this week. =)

I agree, I just can't fathom really waking up and going to a store and buying a new power/prog metal release. Was talking online to a guy in Germany and he said during his lunch break at work he went to the store and bought Hellfire Club. =(

And just another example, The End Records is AFM record's official distributor... Dionysus's new album came out January 21st I believe, yet TER did not get end this "exclusive" release for them until over a month after.

Just reiterating the point on release dates meaning nothing to us (US). The only release date in my book is when the online stores get it...=)

 

[Demonspell]

It seems for every band that has conquered the distribution problem, there are countless others who have their releases either put in limbo indefinitely or fail to secure release for a major market...online stores have made this easy to get around for consumers, but it still remains a tremendous pain in the ass for bands, especially when it creates conflict with touring schedules as mentioned above.