MALEVOLENT CREATION

Florida-based death metallers MALEVOLENT CREATION have issued the following statement regarding a recently released bootleg recording:

“Metal Mind Records / Productions from Poland has released an illegal bootleg DVD/VHS live show from MALEVOLENT CREATION recorded in early 2003 at the Metal Mania Festivals in Krakow Poland.

“In early 2003, when we started our 44-show European Tour with MARDUK, our first show was in Krakow Poland at the Metal Mania Festivals and it seemed to be a great way to start off a tour playing to 6,000 Polish metal maniacs. As with most festivals, things are rushed and nothing goes smoothly and we were informed that day that the entire festival was being filmed. No big deal for us, because we allow fans and media to film and photograph the band always.

“While we prepared to take the stage, we were also informed we did not have time for any kind of equipment changeover, soundcheck, monitor check or even use our own soundman for this performance. Also the drum set we were to use came equipped with 2 bass drum triggers of which one did not work. With no time to fix things, we went on stage and played and had a great show anyways.

“2 months later we started to receive e-mails and phone calls from Metal Mind regarding the possibility of releasing this recording. They sent us a copy to check out and we laughed our asses off when we seen it. The worst camera work we have ever seen and topped off with an entire show played and recorded with one kickdrum working. Considering that 90% of MALEVOLENT CREATION music is double-bass drum work you can only imagine how retarded and ridiculous this sounded.

“Of course, we contacted Metal Mind and told them that in no way should this released at all. All seemed fine until we received an e-mail from Metal Mind boss Tommy Dziubinski saying that he thought the show was great and was still intending on releasing this garbage.

“After months of having our lawyer and our current record label Nuclear Blast Records' lawyer contacting Mr. Dziubinski about this illegal act he was considering, he stopped any contact with us and our lawyers and has since just released this DVD/VHS illegally on Metal Mind Productions. Our lawyer was able to stop the distribution of this bootleg in most of Western Europe, America and Canada but it is still being sold and distributed illegally.

“We just would like to advise distributors and fans of MALEVOLENT CREATION to not buy this crap and wait till we release our first OFFICIAL DVD later this summer through Arctic Music Group. The DVD will feature footage spanning the band's entire career including the band's first live show ever in 1987 opening for Canadian punk legends S.N.F.U. to the recording of the band's newest and 9th full length album 'Warkult' studio sessions. This will be our first DVD release and we want to make it special for everyone and will have enough live footage and rarities recorded all over the world to make 3 DVDs.

“The Underground Metal Community was and is about unity and bands, promoters, agents etc…helping each other. This is not the case with Tommy Dziubinski and Metal Mind Productions and people like him need to be removed from the scene.

“I would just like to say to any bands who cross paths with Tommy and Metal Mind to think twice and not get screwed like we are.

“In other MALEVOLENT CREATION news, we start recording our new album 'Warkult' tomorrow Feb.13th and it will be released in late June on Nuclear Blast Records worldwide.”

February 12. 2004