My respect for The Project Hate has increased immensly

There are bands that say that they are against illegal downloading, and then there is The Project Hate MCMXCIX.

The Swedish progressive death metal band released their 10th studio album on Christmas day, the 25th of December, entitled "There Is No Earth I Will Leave Unscorched", a album that has been funded by the fans and has had no promotion what so ever by magazines, review blogs or other media. The only way to get this album is to buy it at the band website. It is not available on Spotify, Bandcamp, Pandora, YouTube or any other streaming service.

The band has made this decision since they want to feature the art itself. They of course want to make money out of it, but also feel like people care enough to buy their music, something I think all musicians agree on that they want. But there is a difference between saying that you are against illegal downloading and actually take actions against it.

I saw a YouTube video like one week ago that linked to a site where you could download the new album illegally, and in the comment section was one comment. It was the official TPH YouTube channel that said something like this. "Thank you for sharing our new album, you have now been charged for illegal sharing". Then we also have all the statements Lord K. has done over and over again in the band's website and other media over this topic. Just another proof of that they are damn serious over this subject.

This shows how much the band, and especially their founder and leader, Lord K. Philipson, love to create music. They really want to feel like they are creating something that matters to people, and not something that assholes just takes for granted and spread it around the cesspool we call the Internet.

This decision however, has one downside. This will make it difficult for the band to gain any bigger amount of newer fans, since a lot of music lovers finds new artists through streaming services like Spotify (yours truly found the band, like many other bands, on Rock Band, were they released their amazing song "Descend Into The Eternal Pits of Possession"). I am not saying that it is impossible, especially since their old material exists there, but it will be more difficult.

And for those wondering, no, I have not listened to the new album. I would love to buy it, but at my current economic status, it is not worth it, and since I respect and love these guys, I am not going to illegally download the album (something I never do) and report anyone who tries to share it illegally. I really wish the band good luck in their future and hope that they get a lot of support for their cause. And finally, I hope that more bands follow this example, so we can stop illegal downloading of metal music once and for all.

For those of you who are interested in purchasing the album "There Is No Earth I Will Leave Unscorched" or find more about the band and their cause, visit their official website