The Beast (the latest from VADER)) sounds like it could break them to a wide audience in the United States. While VADER have been popular for many years in Europe, the unfavorable demographics* on that contnent mean that a metal band's survival requires them to make in North America.
The new CD's songs are as heavy and the playing is as intense as ever. But the pacing of the songs is more measured and thought-out than they ahve been on prior CD's. There are more rhythmic and melodic progressions, and fewer repetitive speed-thrashings. Vocally, VADER has moved beyond the grunt-and growl sound that characterizes most (really-slow-selling) metal albums. So, the vocal tracks are as good as the instrumental tracks here, and the overall impression is a quantum leap in product quality.
As a consequence of the improved musical approach, The Beast might actually get picked up by a major U.S. distributor, and could get some airplay on radio and TV. That means it will be available in music retailing outlets like Best Buy, Target and others. WIth the demise of independent music stores, the ability to generate consumer demand to pull a large number of units of product through distribution channels has become more important. So the old haphazard approach of "... put it out and some headbanger whose wrecked enough brain cells will buy it..." approach has to be upgraded to meet the new bueinss realities.
Metal Blade is recognizing that their traditional business model is rapidly becoming unprofitable. The networks of independent record stores and small metal boutiques are going out of business in most cities, as metal fans increasingly turn to the internet and on-line sources for most items.
In the past, Vader could be satisfied with CD sales of 5,000--10,000 /year via internet and other on-line channels. But the internet is a steep disounting platform: people look for lowest prices, and that often means 'free'. Since a CD only retails for $15 - 18, the profit margins can quickly fall to zero if the internet is the main method for generating sales.
With VADER The Beast, Metal Blade Records has a winner here I think
* Europe's white male population (the core demographic group for metal, worldwide) is aging and dying out as whites have had too few children to replace themselves. Also, the aggressive media promotion of homosexuality and abortion across Europe have resulted is a rapid decline in live birthrates among white Europeans. Europe's population is increasingly Muslim, and black African. Muslims regard heavy metal as part of the decadent and evil culture of 'the west', so they move to suppress it, and the African blacks have always favored African style jungle rhythms or disco and dance music.
The new CD's songs are as heavy and the playing is as intense as ever. But the pacing of the songs is more measured and thought-out than they ahve been on prior CD's. There are more rhythmic and melodic progressions, and fewer repetitive speed-thrashings. Vocally, VADER has moved beyond the grunt-and growl sound that characterizes most (really-slow-selling) metal albums. So, the vocal tracks are as good as the instrumental tracks here, and the overall impression is a quantum leap in product quality.
As a consequence of the improved musical approach, The Beast might actually get picked up by a major U.S. distributor, and could get some airplay on radio and TV. That means it will be available in music retailing outlets like Best Buy, Target and others. WIth the demise of independent music stores, the ability to generate consumer demand to pull a large number of units of product through distribution channels has become more important. So the old haphazard approach of "... put it out and some headbanger whose wrecked enough brain cells will buy it..." approach has to be upgraded to meet the new bueinss realities.
Metal Blade is recognizing that their traditional business model is rapidly becoming unprofitable. The networks of independent record stores and small metal boutiques are going out of business in most cities, as metal fans increasingly turn to the internet and on-line sources for most items.
In the past, Vader could be satisfied with CD sales of 5,000--10,000 /year via internet and other on-line channels. But the internet is a steep disounting platform: people look for lowest prices, and that often means 'free'. Since a CD only retails for $15 - 18, the profit margins can quickly fall to zero if the internet is the main method for generating sales.
With VADER The Beast, Metal Blade Records has a winner here I think
* Europe's white male population (the core demographic group for metal, worldwide) is aging and dying out as whites have had too few children to replace themselves. Also, the aggressive media promotion of homosexuality and abortion across Europe have resulted is a rapid decline in live birthrates among white Europeans. Europe's population is increasingly Muslim, and black African. Muslims regard heavy metal as part of the decadent and evil culture of 'the west', so they move to suppress it, and the African blacks have always favored African style jungle rhythms or disco and dance music.
