FORSAKEN
ON I HATE RECORDS: A GRAND COALITION OF FORCES
Joint
Press Statement - February 2007
It
is with great satisfaction and elation that I Hate Records (Sweden)
and Forsaken (Malta) can now officially announce that they have reached
agreement on terms, which shall see Forsaken releasing their forthcoming
heavy, epic doom metal opus on I Hate Records. The band’s next
album on I Hate Records is planned for mid-2008 and the contract that
Forsaken have etched with the label, also provides the option for
the release of two further albums, thereby providing for a fruitful
and mutually rewarding long-term relationship between both parties.
Read more....
Over
recent years I Hate Records has emerged as one of the leading and
most prolific record labels in doom metal and associated genres. The
label’s versatile and engaging band roster (also including Pale
Divine, Isole, Minotauri, Fall of the Idols, Centurions Ghost, Burning
Saviours, Abysmal Grief, Evoken and The Gates of Slumber among others)
provides strong testimony to all this. I Hate’s recruitment
of Forsaken (undoubtedly, one of doom metal’s most consistent
flag bearers of late) continues to underscore the label’s commitment
to leave no stone unturned in its attempt to develop as an undisputed
reference point for all doom metal aficionados. Albert Bell, Forsaken’s
erstwhile bassist and entrusted by his band mates (Leo Stivala –
Vox, Sean Vokovic Guitars and Simeon Gatt – Drums) to lead the
negotiations from the band front commented as follows on these recent
events:
“Following the demise of our previous label Golden Lake Productions
(Scotland) last summer we have been relentlessly considering different
pathways as regards to the future of the band label-wise. We are grateful
to the various labels that approached the band with concrete offers
for a recording contract, but after taking everything into account
we strongly believe that signing with I Hate Records is the best possible
move for Forsaken. The label’s track record for honesty, integrity,
loyalty and stature in the true doom metal scene is second to none
and we are convinced that I Hate is definitely the right label for
Forsaken. While the business side of things is an imperative aspect
to consider in such situations, there are other things of more paramount
importance to take into account, namely the label’s loyalty
and commitment and we feel convinced that I Hate in the person of
both Ola and Peter satisfy such demands hands down. We are thus now
looking forward to bring this grand alliance to realisation. Our next
album will be the first step in this direction and we are already
well underway in the song writing process…supporters can expect
another slab of uncompromisingly heavy, epic doom metal. Anything
else will be disrespectful to Forsaken’s heritage and is definitely
not (nor will ever be) on the cards”.
Says Ola of I Hate: "The signing of Forsaken to I Hate is a great
triumph for our label, and for me personally, being a fan since way
back. Forsaken has everything I look for in a band, and then some.
As stunned and proud as I now feel, I also sense and recognize the
due responsibility involved in working with an act as revered as Forsaken.
Their seal of quality Epic Doom is untarnished and their fans have
grown to expect, and to deserve, only the best. Still it is with great
confidence, springing from the close and friendly contacts I have
personally had with the band, and Albert in particular, I look forward
to our future co-operation. Our sharing of thought and ideas and our
mutual perspective on life has convinced me that we are in this more
as friends and allies than mere business companions, and that’s
what Metal, and Doom Metal in particular, should be about, I think!
Put short: A Grand Coalition of Forces, indeed!"
