- Dec 20, 2005
- 370
- 1
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ROADRUNNER PROMO STUMBLES WITH TRUMPED-UP CONTROVERSY
HO-HUM: Some marketers are always looking for new and exciting ways to sell records, and some resort to the same tired methods, which unfortunately sometimes means attacking music retailers to gain the attention of the music press and the music-buying public. Case in point: Roadrunner Records' promotion of Deicide's new album, ''Once Upon The Cross.''
The marketing of this record comes under the category ''controversy sells.'' Retail Track readers are familiar with this strategy, i.e., the Black Crowes (Billboard, Dec. 10, 1994). But for those of you who haven't seen this drama before, it goes something like this: Act 1, release album, with controversial artwork prominently displayed; Act 2, when no one notices, issue press release claiming controversy; Act 3, make sure press release implies that music retailers those nefarious crusaders against the First Amendment are refusing to carry the controversial album cover.
In this instance, the artwork in question depicts ''a Christ-like figure covered in a white sheet with blood seeping through where the figure's hands, feet and mid-section are,'' according to a description provided courtesy of a Roadrunner press release. The package also contains ''an illustration depicting Jesus Christ on an autopsy table.''
So let's see how Roadrunner played its hand.
According to the press release headline, the album cover is causing controversy at retail outlets, although the copy never actually states what the controversy is. A call to Roadrunner spokeswoman Sophie Diamantis reveals that not one retail chain has actually refused to carry the album. The problem, as Roadrunner sees it, is that while all retailers carry the album, many choose to carry a version of the album where most of the front cover is obscured by a warning sticker.
Of course, the release downplays the fact that the label gave retailers a choice of two album packages. It also ignores that whatever version is displayed in-store, once buyers get home and remove the shrink wrap, they all get the same album cover in all its controversial glory.
The press release also states the album cover artwork is ''no shock-value gimmick.'' Yeah, right. The album was released April 18 two days after Easter. Coincidence? I think not.
My favorite part of the press release is a quote from Deicide front man Glen Benton, described as an ''avowed Satanist,'' who says, ''I feel that I am the closest thing to Lucifer on this planet, and I feel like that all the time.'' My advice to Benton is to have some chicken soup, take two aspirin, and lie down with a cold rag on your forehead; you'll feel better in the morning.
Snore.
Billboard May 13, 1995
HO-HUM: Some marketers are always looking for new and exciting ways to sell records, and some resort to the same tired methods, which unfortunately sometimes means attacking music retailers to gain the attention of the music press and the music-buying public. Case in point: Roadrunner Records' promotion of Deicide's new album, ''Once Upon The Cross.''
The marketing of this record comes under the category ''controversy sells.'' Retail Track readers are familiar with this strategy, i.e., the Black Crowes (Billboard, Dec. 10, 1994). But for those of you who haven't seen this drama before, it goes something like this: Act 1, release album, with controversial artwork prominently displayed; Act 2, when no one notices, issue press release claiming controversy; Act 3, make sure press release implies that music retailers those nefarious crusaders against the First Amendment are refusing to carry the controversial album cover.
In this instance, the artwork in question depicts ''a Christ-like figure covered in a white sheet with blood seeping through where the figure's hands, feet and mid-section are,'' according to a description provided courtesy of a Roadrunner press release. The package also contains ''an illustration depicting Jesus Christ on an autopsy table.''
So let's see how Roadrunner played its hand.
According to the press release headline, the album cover is causing controversy at retail outlets, although the copy never actually states what the controversy is. A call to Roadrunner spokeswoman Sophie Diamantis reveals that not one retail chain has actually refused to carry the album. The problem, as Roadrunner sees it, is that while all retailers carry the album, many choose to carry a version of the album where most of the front cover is obscured by a warning sticker.
Of course, the release downplays the fact that the label gave retailers a choice of two album packages. It also ignores that whatever version is displayed in-store, once buyers get home and remove the shrink wrap, they all get the same album cover in all its controversial glory.
The press release also states the album cover artwork is ''no shock-value gimmick.'' Yeah, right. The album was released April 18 two days after Easter. Coincidence? I think not.
My favorite part of the press release is a quote from Deicide front man Glen Benton, described as an ''avowed Satanist,'' who says, ''I feel that I am the closest thing to Lucifer on this planet, and I feel like that all the time.'' My advice to Benton is to have some chicken soup, take two aspirin, and lie down with a cold rag on your forehead; you'll feel better in the morning.
Snore.
Billboard May 13, 1995
