LABEL DETAILS
contains:
-Label ideology policy
-Label release policy
-How to get band signed on NH
-My Space
-What is NH stand on ebay
-What is NH stand on bootlegs
-Re-pressed "limited" items
-Licencing Northern Heritage releases
Label Policy
Northern Heritage is black metal
label. Distribution side is little more tolerant for other styles and attitudes
of metal or other underground scene.
There are also limits what we don't take, and unlike commercial labels, we
choose what we distribute, and in some cases even if there is demand for record
among customers we can refuse to distribute it for reason or another. Each band is responsible for their own statements, but
is highly supported by Northern Heritage as a label. All bands have been
interviewed / several topics has been discussed before them being signed.
Northern Heritage does releases in all formats, yet there is special attention to vinyl releases. Most of the old records are limited editions, which means no-repress (**see re-pressed "limited" items later)! Most of the new CD's are unlimited edition, but it does not necessarily mean there would be any more pressed than past anyway. There is no hardly at all of CD-only releases, but some of the releases are vinyl-only. Most of the currently CD-only releases will be on vinyl sooner or later. There is no bar-codes on releases. There is no special collectors editions, nor unnecessary multi-format releases (meaning A5digi / digipak / CD / LP / picLP / TS / LS / ... type of waste). Many of the releases are done LP/CD/tape, so people can choose what to buy, but nothing unnecessary collectors versions.
How to get band signed
on NH?
Most of all: YOU CAN'T. For years, label has been basically full.
There is no need to sign new bands, since old ones keep label busy.
To send demo tape is pretty much useless, since most of them will be never
listened. If you still think sending demos is what you want to do, keep in mind that none
of the bands have been chosen solely because of their demo/promo tape. None of the bands
is chosen solely because of their musical abilities neither. NH is not only music label.
If you have doupts would your band fit into NH, then it does not. There has been
always priority to release Finnish bands and it won't change drastically in near future. NH is
not highly interested in licenses or signing bands who already do records on other labels.
Most of bands have member I more or less know for longer period of time and have been in
contact or band has been introduced by other band already signed
on label. So, if you are person on other side of world, never been in touch with NH, it's
very unlikely sending demo/promo would help anything than getting it into mailorderlist.
Do NOT send: anything else but real black metal. If you have other kind
of band, find other kind of label. Also there is no need to send symphonic black metal,
"modern extreme metal", etc. NO bands with drum machines!! Do not waste
your time sending something what clearly has no chances being released. Do not send mp3 or
image files (or anyfiles). Big size mail does not get you more attention. It only receives
quick delete button hit.
My Space
There exists sites like: http://www.myspace.com/clandestineblaze This has nothing to do with Northern Heritage or
Clandestine Blaze, except being "unofficial fansite" or something, what never
had interest to even inform about itself to band. Any messages sent through that place
goes to creator of the site, not to "Clandestine Blaze", which can be only
contacted through same address as Northern Heritage. Whatever is listed as "friends
of Clandestine Blaze", is by creator of the site, and not by the band. It
mostly consist people / bands / labels who has no connection band whatsoever. For example
similar Deathspell Omega site on myspace.com clearly says it is fansite without relation
to the band. In CB site, there is no such information what could lead to confusion.
If someone needs information, lyrics, discography, whatever, contact is ALWAYS
through Northern Heritage e-mail or address.
Same goes to some other bands known from the label (Deathspell Omega etc) who may
have fan sites on myspace, but have nothing to do with band members of labels involved.
Ebay
There has been complaints of misuse of underground items, including NH releases.
People use them only as money making opportinity, without respect for what any black metal
would deserve. NH does not support idea that ebay has become the biggest marketplace for
underground items. However, pressing tons of records and making them easily available is
not always the answer, like some seem to think. Couple bad examples don't mean labels
should sell their ass to music business. NH does not sell at ebay, neither I have
personally bought anything from there. That's why I personally have never experienced ebay
problems. If you have problem of tolerating high price, DO NOT go to ebay site! High
prices exists only because there are people willing to pay. Ebay sales exists because
people are willing to find records the easiest and the most convenient way. They don't
want to order from small labels from other side of the world. Click of the mouse button is
only thing they are ready to do, besides investing a lot of money. Many of these people
are not interested in traditional underground ways. Why should we worry about such people
paying too much of money for something?
Those who wish to get records the easiest and most simple way, they pay the high price.
Those underground people who are still in direct contact with small labels and send cash
to them they get items in normal prices without any problems.Those who keep the loudest
noise in internet messageboards about records being sold out too early, they seem to be
the ones who make smallest effort to actually buy them. Small labels are not responsible
to serve you like king, if all you are able to do is whine and bitch on the internet and
do nothing. However, the little it is possible to do with this problem is done. Some
records of NH own releases and distributed items are strictly available 1 copy per
customer and therefore minimize possibilities of misuse. Some of the records have been
re-pressed, due not having point of thousand people wanting it, and 200 having it.
People who sell their own collection away in internet doesn't concern us. If it is single
copies sold, because they have no use for them. That is different situation than buying
handful of "to-be-rarities" to rip off cash from others after couple of months.
Likewise, CD's sold at ebay for cost of normal price or less doesn't concern us at all.
I'm tired of hearing bullshit from people backstabbing label who sells few CD's via
ebay, while themselves or their closest comrades are known as the worst bootleggers and
rip-offers who show clear disrespect for the cult bands, underground people and other
labels. So before trying to backstab some relatively harmless e-bay seller, I'd recommend
to think who's fucking up the underground with their jewish behavior and who's doing their
best to ruin atmosphere of the "cult bands" by making bullshit bootlegs for big
public who wasn't meant to get the stuff in the first place.
Re-pressed "limited" items
Since '99 when Northern Heritage started to publish limited vinyls, situation has
changed. Before '99, there existed only couple Finnish black metal bands who had done
12" vinyls (Beherit, Impaled Nazarene, Archgoat,..) and equally small amount of those
who did 7"s (Barathrum, I.N., Beherit,.). Situation was not far from that in most
other countries. It meant most vinyl releases were special and far from massproducts CDs
infesting the scene. These days especially in worldwide scene, everything, including
crappiest records, are released on limited edition vinyls. This is only because vinyl has
become more of collectors item, than format to listen black metal.
Northern Heritage releases vinyls, because it's format what I prefer. All the vinyls are
meant to be LISTENED. They are NOT status symbols, they are NOT collectors items of people
who are afraid to listen the vinyls because it's value could decrease from "m"
to "vg" if they remove album from the plastic sleeve!
Original idea of limited vinyls was to reach exclusively the true underground maniacs who
listen this format with passion. Unfortunately big part of records are nowadays ending
into internet auctions, sold to those who will pay hundreds of $$$ to obtain something
they probably consider status symbol. This has resulted that Northern Heritage intends to
improve situation and those who truly want to listen records and be possessed by the
message of the bands, don't have to compete with those with too well paying jobs, but can
obtain official CD version which is not inferior bootleg.
Once in a while to our ears arrives information of some labels planning Northern Heritage
related bootlegs. Already now in ebay has been sold
numerous shitty and cheap bootlegs. This is total insult and disgrace towards work of NH.
In some cases somebody else is making altered artworks, even different logos and going as
far as advertising it as "NSBM" so they could capture some more listeners.
Even if many of the bootleg auctions has been able to stop before they are sold, and these
inferior bootlegs don't seem to spread very far, it doesn't end. There is always some
jewish hustler who wish to try his luck, and rumors say, even with doing real factory
manufactured tape/CD versions. After discussion with related bands, there has been made
decision to stop the reason of those inferior bootlegs and release official CD version of
some originally vinyl-only releases.
Northern Heritage or the bands are not concerned about "lost money". Such issue
is very minimal and not essential in case of CDr bootlegs. What we are concerned with, is
people acting like they would have some rights to be involved in our work. This is
desecration of our work, and such must be stopped.
Only way seems to be to offer official CD version. There will be NO bonus tracks, etc!
Prices will be standard CD price.
There has been published for example: Deathspell Omega "Infernal Battles" CD,
Deathspell Omega "Inquisitors of Satan" CD, Deathspell Omega / Clandestine Blaze
-split CD, which earlier was vinyl only. Also CD version of Exordium was released.
All comrades who support the cause and all who wish to torment their ears with sountracks
for suffering of humanity, can now obtain Northern Heritage releases without having to pay
300$ in auctions or settle for mp3/CDr/tape copy.
Licensing Northern Heritage releases
About 1-4 times a month we get offer for someone to release some of Northern
Heritage records as licenced product either worldwide or for their own market. However:
* ALL NH items are released worldwide when it comes out on NH.
* If there does not exist pic. LP, it is not supposed to exist. We would do it, if
it needs to be done.
* Almost all of NH items has been already put out on tape, and future releases will
be done by NH.
* We don't either give licences to re-press CD's or such things.
GENERAL RULE: No licences are given of NH releases! Especially not for
labels that are unknown to us, and who work in different methods than NH does. In past
some deals was made, and they are still valid, so some NH items are still available on
other labels. So don't consider that as suggestion that you will too get a licencing deal.