Long-running California grindcore outfit PHOBIA have reissued their 1998 album, Means Of Existence, as a 'pay-what-you-want' download through Canada's Moshpit Tragedy Records.

The 17-song debut (originally released on CD/LP on Slap-a-Ham Records and reissued on picture disc LP in 2006 by Deep Six Records) is now available from the label's website complete with a print-ready sleeve for as much or as little as each visitor chooses and is even being offered for free to those without a PayPal account.

Label founder Rayny Forster says the sliding scale idea is a means of taking advantage of falling CD sales and disillusionment with major record labels, and points out his new label model has already caught the attention and support of several key figures involved with the music industry.

"I'm down with what Moshpit Tragedy is doing 100 percent", states Mike Williams (EYEHATEGOD/ARSON ANTHEM vocalist). "Younger, newer underground bands need to be heard and noticed in these modern digital days without signing their lives away to some bloodsucking record label right outta the gate. It's a very honorable and DIY way to get things done."

OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Rob 'Blasko' Nicholson even goes so far as to say, "This model could very well be the future of all indie labels."

Formed in Orange County, California in 1990, Phobia has been punishing ears with its murderous socio political grinding noise assault for almost two decades. Dealing out their savage combination of the energy and ideals of hardcore punk mixing it with the power and brutality of early grind, Phobia has shared the stage with a diverse mix of bands over the years such as CHAOS U.K., GRAVE, NAPALM DEATH, DETESTATION, NEUROSIS, DEICIDE, FINAL CONFLICT, CORRUPTED, ASSUCK, SPAZZ, EXHUMED, IMMOLATION, DISASSOCIATE, DARKEST HOUR and VARUKERS, just to name a few.

In 2001, Phobia were seen on the national television program Real TV when an unruly Japanese fan tries to attack the band and gets a justly deserved bass-in-the-face. The band is currently on a month long tour with MUNICIPAL WASTE, THE ACCUSED, BRUTAL TRUTH and CAULDRON.

For a streaming audio sample/download of this as well as official albums by EXTREME NOISE TERROR, MISERY, TOTAL FUCKING DESTRUCTION, DISASSOCIATE and many more visit moshpittragedy.com.

Chicago's anarcho thrash punk band SECURICOR have released their debut 4-song EP “Only In Death” as a sliding-scale or 'pay what you want' download through Moshpit Tragedy Records.  Visitors to the label's site can pay as much or as little as they like for the high quality mp3 album with print-ready artwork and instructions how to make your own sleeve.

Vocalist/Guitarist Desmond comments: “We wanted to release these tracks with Moshpit Tragedy because it gives punks who download music an option to hear the music and still support the underground. We don’t want to use corporate-owned networking or music sites to sponsor our music- fuck that! They make money from everything else in our lives so we don’t want them making money from our music!”

SECURICOR is a 5-piece anti-authoritarian punk band from ....Chicago.... and has been tearing it up around the midwest since August 2006...  ..They self-released their debut EP to a limited 500 copies, so this is for those of you who couldn't find the vinyl or do not have a record player. 4 songs recorded in July 2008, this was the last recording session with lead singer Amanda. Vinyl version is still available through the bands website (http://www.freewebs.com/securicor).

For a streaming audio sample/download of this as well as official albums by Extreme Noise Terror, Misery, Total Fucking Destruction, Disassociate, etc visit www.moshpittragedy.com.

UK thrashers SUICIDE WATCH have released their new 11-song album 'Figure Head of Pain' as a sliding-scale or 'pay what you want' download through Moshpit Tragedy Records.  Visitors to the label's site can pay as much or as little as they like for the high quality mp3 album with print-ready artwork and instructions how to make your own sleeve.

Bassist Ian Glasper (Flux of Pink Indians, ex Stampin’ Ground, author of Burning Britain, The Day The Country Died and Trapped In A Scene) comments: “I first heard of Moshpit Tragedy via Rob Miller from Amebix, who told me all about this crazy label giving music away super-cheap, and being an old anarcho punk at heart I thought it sounded like a cool idea. When you form an underground hardcore metal punk band (or whatever the hell you'd call us), the thought of making money couldn't be further from your mind anyway - the only consideration given is to writing good songs and getting them heard by as many folk as possible, and Rayny (Forster, label founder) was kind enough to give us the opportunity to just throw this material out there for people to enjoy... after years of dealing with many different labels - some very good, some very bad - it's a very refreshing change of perspective. Here, have something cool, and give what you like for it... thanks Rayny! Who said punk's dead?"

Not interested in becoming the next big thing and not prepared to whore themselves for the music industry, SUICIDE WATCH formed in early 2004 with the sole intention of blasting out honest, old school, politicized thrash metal ala Dark Angel, Kreator, Slayer, Perstilence, Toxic Death, Paradox, Suicidal Tendencies, DRI, Vio-Lence, Testament, Exhorder, etc. 'Figure Head of Pain' was recorded and mixed at Studio 6 in Winter 2008 and is the followup to their first album 'Global Warming' which came out on the Belgian label Mausoleum Records in 2004.

For a streaming audio sample/download of this as well as official albums by Extreme Noise Terror, Amebix, Misery, Total Fucking Destruction, Disassociate, etc visit www.moshpittragedy.com.

WAR//PLAGUE "Demo" Download Now Available

Minneapolis crust punks WAR//PLAGUE have announced the release of their "Demo" as a sliding scale download through Moshpit Tragedy Records.

The 3-song release is now available from www.moshpit-tragedy.com complete with a printable sleeve for as much or as little as each visitor chooses and is even being offered for free to those without a paypal account, an option Label Founder Rayny Forster claims is necessary to gain the fan's respect in times when illegal downloading is the only alternative fans have to paying high prices.

WAR//PLAGUE is a Minneapolis based crust punk band from the depths of previous bands PROVOKED, U.W.T., PONTIOUS PILATE and FLUX OF DISORDER, among others.

For more info on sliding scale downloads visit www.moshpittragedy.com

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MISERY "20 Years of Misery" Download Now Available

Minneapolis crust punk legends MISERY have announced the release of their "20 Years of Misery" compilation as a sliding scale download through Moshpit Tragedy Records.

The 20-song release is now available from www.moshpit-tragedy.com complete
with a printable sleeve for as much or as little as each visitor chooses and is even being offered for free to those without a paypal account, an option Label Founder Rayny Forster claims is necessary to gain the fan's respect in times when illegal downloading is the only alternative fans have to paying high prices.

Misery formed in Minneapolis in 1987 and once featured Al Long (Nausea) in its ranks.  The band has toured the world and released many records including splits with Doom and Extinction of Mankind. A new album is in the works for Crimes Against Humanity Records.

For more info on sliding scale downloads visit www.moshpittragedy.com

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IN VACUO "You Pilot" Download Now Available

Calgary Alberta's IN VACUO have announced the release of their new "You Pilot" EP as a sliding scale download through Moshpit Tragedy Records.

The 7-song release is now available from www.moshpit-tragedy.com complete with a printable sleeve for as much or as little as each visitor chooses and is even being offered for free to those without a paypal account, an option Label Founder Rayny Forster claims is necessary to gain the fan's respect in times when illegal downloading is the only alternative fans have to paying high prices.

IN VACUO is a four piece band from Calgary who can't be compared to any one band. Their roots are in hardcore but there's definite surf punk and grind influences in there. Just think of some crazy cross between DEAD KENNEDYS, CONVERGE, MAN IS THE BASTARD, NOMEANSNO and TRAP THEM. Quirky riffs, politically-tinged lyrics, downright gnarly music brought to you in cooperation with Just Say No! Records.

For more info on sliding scale downloads visit www.moshpittragedy.com

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SURVIVORS WILL BE SHOT AGAIN "Weapons of Mass Destruction" Download Now Available

Canadian thrash punk act SURVIVORS WILL BE SHOT AGAIN have announced the release of their album "Weapons of Mass Destruction" as a sliding scale download through Moshpit Tragedy Records.

The 24-song release is now available from www.moshpit-tragedy.com complete with a printable sleeve for as much or as little as each visitor chooses and is even being offered for free to those without a paypal account, an option Label Founder Rayny Forster claims is necessary to gain the fan's respect in times when illegal downloading is the only alternative fans have to paying high prices.

Formed in Montreal Quebec in 2005, SURVIVORS WILL BE SHOT AGAIN have been terrorizing and destroying everything in their way since.  Having played over 50 shows from coast to coast of Canada, they have shared the stage with bands like Today is the Day, Fuck the Facts, SNFU, Global Holocaust and tons more.

For more info on sliding scale downloads visit www.moshpittragedy.com

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REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH "Bleed/Decay" Download Now Available

Atlanta Georgia crust punks REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH have announced the release of their album "Bleed/Decay" as a sliding scale download through Moshpit Tragedy Records.

The 8-song release is now available from www.moshpit-tragedy.com complete with a printable sleeve for as much or as little as each visitor chooses and is even being offered for free to those without a paypal account, an option Label Founder Rayny Forster claims is necessary to gain the fan's respect in times when illegal downloading is the only alternative fans have to paying high prices.

REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH is a three piece band from Georgia who mixes together anarcho punk and some of the melodic elements of modern crust.  According to the band's myspace, their influences include: "Our passion for a better world, our anger at the instutionalized racism, sexism and homophobia, the state and the class war it perpretrates everyday.  The world is being destroyed, and the power seems unstoppable, but our hope that we shall win is what keeps us going and writing our music."

For more info on sliding scale downloads visit www.moshpittragedy.com

NYC grindcore mainstay DISASSOCIATE have announced the reissue of all three of their full-length albums ("Controlled Power", "Symbols, Signals & Noise", and "Imperfect World") in sliding scale download format through Canada's Moshpit Tragedy Records. Visitors to the label's website can pay as much or as little as they like - even free - for a high quality mp3 version of these albums, which comes complete with print-ready artwork and instructions how to make your own sleeve.

Paving their own way with numerous releases and hundreds of live shows, Brooklyn grind aficionados Disassociate have been at it since 1993, continually looking for ways to "alter the traditional and distort the popular". They have shared the stage with a varied range of artists like Corrupted, Blondie, Cathedral, Candiria, Bloodlet, Grief, Madball, The Dillinger Escape Plan and At The Gates, just to name a few. The band once featured the amazing drum work of Alex Hernandez and has also played in the legendary punk haven CBGB's.

For more information visit www.moshpit-tragedy.com.

Crust/thrash legends AMEBIX have reissued their classic 1987 album 'Monolith' through Moshpit Tragedy Records as part of the label's sliding scale download series. The nine-song album, which contains a new layout as well as liner note from the band, is now available from www.moshpit-tragedy.com complete with a print-ready sleeve for as much or as little as each visitor chooses and is even being offered for free to those without a paypal account 

Comments label founder Rayny Forster:  "The final AMEBIX album 'Monolith' is now available for download and it looks and sounds great.  We are honoured to be working with such an influential band, they've been great about the whole thing so offer up a cheers to them for not being afraid to be one of the first really large act to jump on board with us for this.  A very nice thing for them to do for their fans as you can pay what you want for the album - but I am urging people to pay what they can for this as the band has never received any payment for this (or most of their other albums) since it was first released 20 years ago.  Its all too typical of the record industry but this is the chance for us to help make it right, and give thanks for all the great music and inspiration AMEBIX have given us."

AMEBIX also recently announced they have reformed for a recording session with drummer Roy Mayorga (STONE SOUR, ex-SOULFY, NAUSEA) and have recorded material to be released with an upcoming DVD overlooking the band's history and the impact left behind by their legacy.  The DVD will include original band interviews and live footage, as well as interviews with Jello Biafra (ex-DEAD KENNEDYS), NEUROSIS, and Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, ex-SEPULTURA).  Mayorga, who also produced and mixed the studio tracks, temporarily filled in behind the drumkit for SEPULTURA's 2006 European tour with IN FLAMES following Igor Cavalera's absence. 

Rob "The Baron" Milller (AMEBIX vocalist/bassist) writes on his myspace:  "The DVD is coming together really well, looking over the whole history of the band through interviews, etc.  I thought a logical conclusion would be to show how all of us are still creating stuff in our own right, I also wanted to think about showing how strong the songs were, and got the idea to contact Stig about maybe jamming a couple of songs to see how it felt.  I also had made contact with Roy so thought I would talk to him about this as Spider (original AMEBIX drummer) has Tinitus and is no longer able to play.  I really didnt expect Roy to say 'yeah, in a heartbeat!', so that left me in the situation of having to put my money where my mouth was and book flights for everyone to meet up in Ireland last week at the DVD project base, to have a shot at making a video of some of the songs.  My thinking was this: if its no good we will be honest and appraise it accordingly, no-one will ever need to know, and at least we had a shot. However, it was absolutely fucking MAD! Ten times better than the original versions: tighter, heavier, stronger. So what the hell to do? We are going to use this footage and tracks for extras on the DVD, probably doing the whole project DIY now, with a website set up for us to sell our own stuff through, trying to put screencaps and footage on there as the project comes along."

AMEBIX was formed in England during 1978 and are a band that many consider to have started the sub genre crust punk.  The band first appeared on the first Crass Records 'Bullshit Detector' compilation LP followed by the release of several now highly-regarded releases.  Their music was heavily influenced by Motörhead, Black Sabbath, Venom, and early Killing Joke and combined with an ethos and worldview akin to Crass, represented their non-traditional lifestyles.  In 1985 the band met Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys and become the first UK signing to his label, Alternative Tentacles with the release of their 'Arise' LP.  In 1987 the band signed to Heavy Metal Records for the album 'Monolith' though difficulties from the release led to the band eventually splitting.  Such notable bands as Sepultura, Neurosis, Napalm Death, and Deviated Instinct have since paid homage to the band. 

Also here are a couple more quotes from a previous article when the download was first announced:

Rob "The Baron" Milller (AMEBIX vocalist/bassist) writes on his myspace page:  "Just a note to let people know that Monolith will be available as a sliding scale download very soon through Moshpit Tragedy.  This seems like a good way to re-release material,  giving the user the choice of what or how much they want to pay, so kind of a trust thing really, lets see how that goes."

Comments label founder Rayny Forster:  "Anyone who knows AMEBIX will tell you how massive their influence has been on thrash and crust punk, so for us to be able to reissue an album from the band that pioneered the genres of music that we are releasing today is really fucking cool.  The fact that the band would authorize a sliding-scale download release from a DIY label such as ourselves shows what ethic and sincerity has always been behind the band and their lifestyle.  I hope people will pay what they can for this as AMEBIX never received any payment for this album since it was released 20 years ago.  Nevertheless we are thrilled to be able to help preserve their legacy."

(Taken originally from http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/article/?id=47668)

Canada's Moshpit Tragedy Records, who has abandoned releasing cds in favour of letting their listeners download albums for as much or as little as they like and claims to be the first record label to provide albums using this new sliding scale rate, has already caught the attention and support of several key figures involved with the music industry.  



"I'm down with what Moshpit Tragedy is doing 100%," stated Mike Williams (EYEHATEGOD and ARSON ANTHEM vocalist).  "Younger, newer underground bands need to be heard and noticed in these modern digital days without signing their lives away to some bloodsucking record label right outta the gate.  It's a very honorable and DIY way to get things done."



OZZY OSBOURNE bassist Rob 'Blasko' Nicholson (whose favorite bands on the label includes THE SKUDS, HULLUUS and FILTHPACT) even goes so far as to say "This model could very well be the future of all indie labels."  Co-founder Rayny Forster agrees, "RADIOHEAD and NIN have done a similar thing, so we just took that and tried to improve upon it."

Staying true to their motto 'Burning down the record industry' in an increasingly digital age means taking advantage of falling cd sales and disillusionment with big-name record labels.  In a recent interview in Metal Edge, MOTORHEAD mainman Lemmy Kilmister says "It's killing itself, isn't it? I mean, they (record companies) are too dumb to realise. They just kept on overcharging and kept on fucking people over, and now the chickens are coming home, you know? I think they're all gonna be out of business in 10 years."

Soon announcements will be made regarding some major bands who are already known and loved by many, who have chosen to join them in this campaign against paying too much for music.

For more info visit www.moshpit-tragedy.com.

We sent a few questions to Rob (Guitar/drum programming) from BURNT CROSS to sum up the last year and plans for next and here is what he said.

Highs:

"Our biggest highlight of the year was really just to put out our cd, cos we started a few months before and was gonna just do a few songs for ourselves, never to see the light of day but people relly liked it so its become a proper band as such even though we dont gig. We are still amazed at the response we get, and it makes it all worthwhile so we will carry on recording in the future."

Lows:

"The worst time for me was losing 4 songs which we recorded on an 8 track and the machine fucked up and they all disappeared so that was extremely annoying but I redone them all in 2 days so relief all around."

This you would change:

"Sometimes I want to get a full band together so we can tour with bands we love but just not possible at the moment but maybe in the future."

2008:

"Regarding the band I would just be happy to release another cd as strong as Carcass of Humanity, cos it turned out better than we could imagine so am well pleased with that.Would also like to do a couple of 7"s (well one is already coming out in Jan) and get on more comps. As for personal goals, well just to be happy and healthy and grateful for my life I'm living when others are struggling to survive."

Best bands of 2007:

"I loved the Constant Fear cd, Scottish Anarcho Punk guys. Also seeing Flux of Pink Indians/Steve Ignorant feeding of the 5000 gig in London was a highlight for sure."

On giving away their album as a download:

"I love the idea of the sliding scale downloads.We are not interested in making money from our music,in fact this year we are down £400 this year due to giving away 250 cds, which we cant keep doing so for people to be able to download our music at there own cost,even free is great for us,just cos it gets our music out there to people who maybe dont have the money to keep buying cds.  Big thanks to Moshpit Tragedy for getting us on board."

We sent a few questions to John (guitarist) from DEVIL'S SON-IN-LAW to sum up the last year and plans for next and here is what he said.

Highs:

"Hooking up with Moshpit Tragedy, shooting the video with down in LA with Gary Smithson (High On Fire, Eagles Of Death Metal, Eyes Of Fire, Goatwhore, Exodus, Tomahawk), drunkiness, Brooklyn, friends, shows, I can't pick one when there is so much."

Lows:

"To me personally battling drug and alcohol problems and watching the world around fall apart... Goodbye to James Brown and Arthur Lee."

Strangeness:

"Playing the Art factory all together on the floor trying to kill each other and having an amazing time, also my friend getting held at gun point with a sawed of shotgun two blocks away from house.  My cock and balls fell out my shorts at yoga class and I caught two people checking them out.  No dates it was cold that day..."

2008:

"Next year I really am looking to setup tours up in Canada, Detroit and pacific northwest and the South.  Recording with Salvador Reya at Earhammer, and putting out another LP and the end of next year."

Best bands of 2007:

"Asunder's new one is incredible, also the Middian demo is fucking great. Laudnaum live is the second coming, Om is always different and the new Hanz Keller impressed me alot playing with them. Floating Goat and Damweevil, the thunder and riffs."

On giving away their album as a download:

"I myself love the idea of the download, because shit floats. I feel there is way too much blatant crap out there, because a band has money they can put out 1000 cds and give them away or promo them, fuck that.  It's just creating more waste and oil that creat more useless shit. If the music is offered free and that is good, more people should come out to the shows.  I really fucking hate waste."