PAY-WHAT-YOU-WANT FOR RELAPSE RECORDS’ RECORDS

Let it not be said that Relapse Record is fighting the future like some metal record labels; the long-standing bastion of quality metal has announced a partnership with Moshpit Tragedy to release what they’re billing a “sliding-payment download series.” Each week for the next 24 weeks, one new title from the Relapse catalog will be released digitally at MoshpitTragedy.com for a price of the buyer’s choosing, starting at only $2.99.

I’m glad at least one “major indie” in the metal world sees the light. Music simply isn’t worth $10-$15 per album anymore — value as determined by what buyers are willing to pay — so Relapse may as well capitalize on catalog that probably isn’t bringing in big bucks anymore anyway instead of driving potential listeners to steal. This isn’t the first forward-thinking move Relapse has made with regards to the Internet / technology — they’ve also got a hundred or so titles on Bandcamp for free streaming in their entirely and for purchase at various affordable price-points. Make it easy for people to get music, and fans will come.

Each Relapse / Moshpit Tragedy title will be announced one week before its download date to keep interest piqued, but a few of the bands included will be Jucifer, Buzzoven, Deceased, Leng Tch’e, Bongzilla and Hemdale. The series kicked off last week with Scott Hull’s grindcore compilation This Comp Kills Fascists Vol. 1 and continues this week with This Comp Kills Fascists Vol. 2. Get it here.

Now, if only we could get Relapse to start signing awesome death metal bands again…

-VN