Monday, March 11, 2013

DISC MAKERS - YET MORE INCOMPETENCE, FIVE YEARS HENCE

In an industry that is slowly dying, you would think that a company like Disc Makers would do their best to hire competent people, so as to hold onto repeat business. After all, i receive new catalogues from them almost every week, featuring lower and lower prices, offering faster and faster turnaround times. Clearly, they are virtually clawing to stay relevant.

If you've been following this blog for any significant length of time, you might recall the misadventures that i endured during 2008-2009, while pressing THE GOSPELS OF THE GASH 2XCD.
Here's a refresher:

http://annihilvs.blogspot.com/2009/02/gospels-of-gash-2xcd-update.html

Since then, most of the projects i have worked on that were pressed by Disc Makers have gone relatively smoothly, and i have often been shocked when there have been no problems. However, it seems that Disc Makers are still not above employing people who are simply incompetent.

Gordon lazarus at OPPRESSIVE RESISTANCE RECORDINGS is having the THEOLOGIAN+THE VOMIT ARSONIST collaborative release pressed at Disc Makers. I personally created the layout, using Disc Makers templates, as i have done several times during the past decade.
This time, those eminently incompetent folks are telling him the following:

Thanks for your inquiry! You will actually be approving the proofs yourself from your online My Account. I did take a look at your artwork, and noticed a few issues that our Pre-Press Review team may reject your project for:
·         your template layers are embedded in the art - you'll want to remove them prior to uploading your artwork. Leaving templates in the art can cause your art to shift out of alignment, and that template will be printed on your artwork
·         your disc surface artwork has a hole cutout - we print all the way to the center of the disc, so you can extend your background all the way through the disc surface, leaving no hole cutouts. Just ensure that your important text or images are outside of the green safety area (the area in the very center of the disc template)
After you've made these changes and reviewed & approved your proofs, you can upload your audio content and proceed to checkout. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns; we're here 9am-8pm ET Mon-Fri.
>>  
>> Thanks again,
>>  
>> Jamie
>> Disc Makers Online Sales Support

Now, i don't know how many prepress people work for Disc Makers, and i don't know how many designers they employ, in their so-called "award-winning design department", but i have submitted many layouts to this company, and it has always been with the templates intact. how would they know how to position the artwork otherwise? additionally, poor Gordon has been on the phone with them repeatedly, and they keep telling him THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO TURN OFF THE TEMPLATE LAYERS IN A PDF.

What kind of idiot works in a design or prepress department and doesn't know how to open a file and turn off a layer in photoshop?

MALIGNANT RECORDS recently released a proper CD reissue of YOUR SUFFERING WILL BE LEGENDARY, which was originally released on CD-R as part of the limited boxed edition for THE GOSPELS OF THE GASH, back in 2009.

When i received my copies, i was shocked to find that, while i'd left ample room in a specific spot on the back panel for them to place a barcode, some moron had dropped the barcode right on top of the catalogue number, cutting the top of the text off by a few fractions of an inch. only an idiot would make this mistake.


(layout by Jorden Haley)

I sent a screencap of the above image to Disc Makers to show them that they had just pressed another of my releases, the layout for which had been submitted with the templates intact, and asked why if this was done with no problem, why suddenly it was a difficult process for them to turn off the templates. they didn't reply to my email.

Friday, March 1, 2013

THE GOSPELS OF THE GASH - 03.01.2013

In the short time since my last update, things have moved forward quite nicely. With the awesome aid of my new partner/manager, Christine Lett, we've shipped 99% of the orders that have been stacked in a corner of my living room, and have even packed and shipped more new orders that have come in during the past week. Christine has, in a mere month, already proven herself to be an invaluable addition to my universe, as she's gotten the ball rolling on a variety of releases that have been sitting in limbo during the past few years, ran my merch table last Friday at the DEAFHEAVEN/SANNHET/CLEANTEETH/THEOLOGIAN show at SAINT VITUS BAR, and is now working on behind the scenes details for APEX FEST V, as well as a variety of other upcoming projects and live events.

Several items have been added to the APEX ARMOURIES webstore (http://apexarmouries.bigcartel.com), including the newly-released 2CD reissue of YOUR SUFFERING WILL BE LEGENDARY, the limited double album that was included as part of the final NTT boxset, on MALIGNANT RECORDS.
Also added is a new collaborative CD-R from THEOLOGIAN+FACTORIA. Lots of projects are in-progress. I'll be wrapping up the audio and layout for SOME THINGS HAVE TO BE ENDURED, the next THEOLOGIAN release from CRUCIAL BLAST, which will appear in CD, VINYL and DIGITAL formats. More details, audio and visual previews on all THEOLOGIAN-related activities are posted on tumblr (http://gash-theologian.tumblr.com).
THEOLOGIAN and BAIN WOLFKIND are working on a collaborative CD-R to celebrate the man's return to the East Coast.

The next THEOLOGIAN appearance will take place in Baltimore, as part of the BALTIMORE FILTH FEST, on March 23. Next is April 2 at SILENT BARN. 
Then, ANNIHILVS presents three East coast appearances by BAIN WOLFKIND, and the fifth annual APEX FEST. This is gonna be a busy Spring!




BALTIMORE FILTH FEST
MARCH 23, 2013


† HANDY
(MD PE feat. member of REVERSE BAPTISM)

† PUTRID SERVANT
(MD experimental black metal)

† THEOLOGIAN
(NY black industrial feat. Leech of NTT)

† LIVESHITBINGEPURGE
(noise from Alex of MT6, Tim of SPLEENCOFFIN, and Paul who is Really cool)

† DREADLORDS
(shoegaze black metal project feat. No One from T.O.M.B.)

† JM//WAVE
(noise and synth-industrial from DC)
_________________________________________

DJ sets by
ATD
Special collaboration with
PULSEWIDTHMOD
_________________________________________

Merchandise from
ANNIHILVS POWER ELECTRONIX
CRUCIAL BLAST
MALIGNANT RECORDS
OCCVLTS
_________________________________________

$5
8PM
SIDEBAR
218 E. LEXINGTON ST.
BALTIMORE, MD
www.sidebartavern.com







:: noise / experimental music at Silent Barn::
from the producers of ENDE TYMES FESTIVAL
http://halfnormal.com/
http://silentbarn.org/
THEOLOGIAN
[crucial blast | malignant records | handmade birds]
"blackened synth dread"
http://gash-theologian.tumblr.com/

COMPACTOR
[worthless recordings | out-of-body-records | cynicdose]
"industrial-noise-electroglitch"http://compactor.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/compactornoise

YORK FACTORY COMPLAINT
[obsolete units | robert & leopold | hanson records]
"a wall of tortured madness"
http://yorkfactorycomplaint.tumblr.com/

LUSSURIA
[hospital productions | destructive industries]
"heavily atmospheric dark ambient"
http://lussuriaambient.tumblr.com/

MAIN ROOM [downstairs]
DOORS 9PM
MUSIC BEGINS 9:15 SHARP
$7 ENTRY

J/M/Z to Myrtle Avenue





BAIN WOLFKIND - THIS TOWN WILL KILL YOU - EAST COAST MICROTOUR
BROOKLYN APRIL 5, PHILLY APRIL 6, MANHATTAN APRIL 17









APEX FEST V
APRIL 19-22, 2013

_____________________________________________
FRIDAY 04.19.13
O'BRIEN'S PUB - BOSTON, MA
5PM • $12
PRESENTED BY EXISTENCE ESTABLISHMENT

EN NIHIL
http://www.discogs.com/artist/En+Nihil
http://www.facebook.com/pages/En-Nihil/198075473553443
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmaD0vRrBqw

THE [law-rah] COLLECTIVE
http://www.discogs.com/artist/[Law-Rah]+Collective,+The
http://www.darkambient.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epoeq_hU2HI

IRON FOREST
http://ironforest.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/irondotforest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQrafL2uFKc

A MURDER OF ANGELS
http://www.discogs.com/artist/A+Murder+Of+Angels
http://www.amurderofangels.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKDD2rIkVnw

LUSSURIA
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Lussuria+%282%29
http://lussuriaambient.tumblr.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAfkGkknClQ

SWOLLEN ORGANS
http://swollenorgans.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/swollen-organs/196205780463434

TELOAHQAAL
https://soundcloud.com/teloahqaal
http://www.facebook.com/TELOAHQAAL

WINTER LINE
https://soundcloud.com/aumwar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg3EA3gSOfM

BEREFT
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Bereft
http://www.facebook.com/Bereft73

DJ SETS BY
DEFTLY-D
THEOLOGIAN PRIME

_____________________________________________
SATURDAY 04.20.13
45 S 3RD ST (UPSTAIRS) - PHILADELPHIA, PA
5PM • $15
PRESENTED BY OCCVLTS/A2H - PARADISE LOST EVENT #2


EN NIHIL
http://www.discogs.com/artist/En+Nihil
http://www.facebook.com/pages/En-Nihil/198075473553443
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmaD0vRrBqw

THE [law-rah] COLLECTIVE
http://www.discogs.com/artist/[Law-Rah]+Collective,+The
http://www.darkambient.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epoeq_hU2HI

IRON FOREST
http://ironforest.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/irondotforest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQrafL2uFKc

LUSSURIA
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Lussuria+%282%29
http://lussuriaambient.tumblr.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAfkGkknClQ

T.O.M.B.
http://www.discogs.com/artist/TOMB
http://crucialblast.bandcamp.com/album/uag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wogYMtMjVVU



THE VOMIT ARSONIST
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Vomit+Arsonist,+The
http://thevomitarsonist.wordpress.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mANx2Nj3bA

SWOLLEN ORGANS
http://swollenorgans.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/swollen-organs/196205780463434

WINTER LINE
https://soundcloud.com/aumwar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg3EA3gSOfM

TELOAHQAAL
https://soundcloud.com/teloahqaal
http://www.facebook.com/TELOAHQAAL

DJ SETS BY
ONLY VIOLENCE
THEOLOGIAN PRIME
OTHERS TBC

_____________________________________________
SUNDAY 04.21.13
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY - BROOKLYN, NY
8PM • $10
PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH HEAVEN STREET/BLIND PROPHET RECORDS & DISCIPLINE NYC

EN NIHIL
http://www.discogs.com/artist/En+Nihil
http://www.facebook.com/pages/En-Nihil/198075473553443
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmaD0vRrBqw

THE [law-rah] COLLECTIVE
http://www.discogs.com/artist/[Law-Rah]+Collective,+The
http://www.darkambient.net
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epoeq_hU2HI

IRON FOREST
http://ironforest.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/irondotforest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQrafL2uFKc

A MURDER OF ANGELS
http://www.discogs.com/artist/A+Murder+Of+Angels
http://www.amurderofangels.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKDD2rIkVnw

KAMA RUPA
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Kama+Rupa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E17memcfEto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81LgBnn-138

LUSSURIA
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Lussuria+%282%29
http://lussuriaambient.tumblr.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAfkGkknClQ

DJ SETS BY
JADE VIXEN
THEOLOGIAN PRIME

PROJECTIONS BY NXR VISUALS
http://nxrvisuals.com


_____________________________________________
MONDAY 04.22.13
THE FLAT - BROOKLYN, NY
$8PM • $8
PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH HEAVEN STREET/BLIND PROPHET RECORDS & DISCIPLINE NYC

EN NIHIL
http://www.discogs.com/artist/En+Nihil
http://www.facebook.com/pages/En-Nihil/198075473553443
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmaD0vRrBqw

BETA CLOUD
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Beta+Cloud
http://www.betacloud.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JodxKvKjxB4

THE VOMIT ARSONIST
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Vomit+Arsonist,+The
http://thevomitarsonist.wordpress.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mANx2Nj3bA

SWOLLEN ORGANS
http://swollenorgans.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/swollen-organs/196205780463434

TELOAHQAAL
https://soundcloud.com/teloahqaal
http://www.facebook.com/TELOAHQAAL

THE BIRD CAGE THEATER
http://cagedtheater.com
http://vimeo.com/14313644
http://www.heathenharvest.com/article.php?story=20080811062508144

DJ SETS BY
BEN ABSTRACT
THEOLOGIAN PRIME
ANARCH

PROJECTIONS BY NXR VISUALS
http://nxrvisuals.com