MENACIDE's WORDS:
IN THE WORDS OF MENACIDE:
What is the anual Devilz Nite compilation? Who created it, and what exactly is the point behind it?
The anual Devilz Nite compilation was started by myself (Menacide) in 2003 as a unique way to give something back to the fans of the Horrorcore genre. The idea is simple: The fans around here support the artists of Horrorcore throughout the year by purchasing their CD's, merchandise, and attending their shows. Those artists take advantage of the Halloween season to record original, exclusive audio to partake in a compilation given free to the fans via download on Devilz Nite each year - A fresh ass "goodie-bag" if you will, of various audio flavors themed around the Season Of The Pumpkin.
How long has this compilation been going on, and who has participated in the past?
The first Devil'z Nite installment was released in 2003, and every year following, a new compilation has been released.
Artists who have participated in the past include Q Strange, Menacide, Bedlam, Gabe Darque, Shy One, Majik Duce, Bob E. Nite, Stitchmouth, SKR camp, 3se, and many countless others from within the realms of the Wicked Shit!
Who should participate?
Every last artist who has ever sold a CD to a fan in this genre, a piece of merchandise, or played a show to a crowd full. You owe it to your fans, and the fans of Horrorcore in general, to give something fresh back each year. And one exclusive audio track isn't that much to ask. It builds loyalty with the fans, and continued support for the genre in general. They truly look forward to this free download every Halloween season - Much more than you could ever imagine.
It should be noted at this point, that a select few artists who come here each year and ask for your money in buying their CD's, merchandise, and attending their shows, conveniently disappear during this time of the year. Rather than just fork over a new, free song as a show of appreciation to the very fans who keep their career ticking, they bounce out, and then re-emerge a couple weeks or so later empty handed.
It is YOUR job, as a fan of Horrorcore, to put these artists on blast. If they come here, siphon the traffic to garner attention for their own project and ask you to support by buying, then they owe you something free on Devil'z Nite. Track their asses down, let them you know you supported their shit all year long, and that you want them to give something back this year.
Who can submit music for the compilation, and what are the guidelines?
Any artist may submit, so long as the following are adhered to:
1. The song must be Horrorcore, or at the very least, related to the Halloween season. The entire theme of the compilation revolves around this, and always has. The rules won't be broken for anyone. No hip hop. I don't care how good it is. The point of this free download is to shine light upon and showcase talent in the Horrorcore genre. You fellas know for example, that I do hardcore Hip Hop shit. If I won't bend this rule for my own self, then you're out of your wig if you think you can slide by exception.
If you submit anything other than the Wicked Shit, or a Halloween themed song, it won't be given so much as a second look. My recycle bin will grow teeth and swallow that shit, point blank. Don't waste mine, or the Wicked Underground's time, by trying to slide me some unrelated music. Stick to the theme.
2. It must be dope. Period. If it sounds like you rushed the song, sent me a scrapped, garbage-sounding track, or that next to zero effort was made in putting a good song together, it won't even get the justice of a full listen. You'll be lucky if it reaches the 1 minute mark on the player before it hits the recycle bin. So do your best work. Remember that Devilz Nite each year is our time to shine. Represent Horrorcore with a little pride, and put it down raw and dope. It'll show in the end.
3. The deadline for submissions will be October 25th, 2008. Devilz Nite, for the uneducated, falls on the night before Halloween (October 30th). This will be release night. Songs received after the submission deadline will not be acknowledged.
Who decides which songs are accepted for the Devilz Nite compilation each year, and what is the process for that determination?
I do, along with a couple anonymous contributors who lend honest, humble, and unbiased opinions about the music submitted. You should be aware that I've never broken the following rule:
No matter who you are, what your standing is with me personally, or my opinion of you musically, it will not affect your liberty and shot at an absolute fair listen and equal consideration. A great song is a great song, no matter who recorded it, or what issue I have with them on a personal level.
It should also be noted.. In fact stressed:
That it never fails. Every single year this compilation has been active, someone assumes that I chose the final songs for the download based on how cool I am with the artist, or other silly ass politics like that. I'm not gonna say this again, so please pay attention:
No artist will be given any preferential treatment whatsoever. And no one ever has. You need only ask around to some of the previous years' artists who've submitted, and they'll tell you the same. I don't play none of that shit. This is the tme of year when we put all that sort of shit aside, and juts focus on a great compilation.
Some artists use this as a wedge - and it never fails every year. This one sounds farmiliar:
"Mena needs to start picking music based on dopeness, and not how cool he is with the artist".
This sort of bullshit crutch usually comes from a disgruntled artist (or one of his associates) who is upset that his shitty, rushed song didn't make the compilation. In an effort to save the remaining pieces of his ego after being denied a spot on the compilation, he usually thwarts blame on me and the people reviewing the music. Sorry bud. Your shit sucked dog balls, and it got canned. I wish it were more complex than that, but it just isn't. Get back in the lab, and learn to make better music. And stop making excuses, or blaming other people for the fact that your shit needs a ton of work.
A final note that should be completely obvious:
I can only choose material from what I am given to work with. If you have a bitch or complaint about the music presented on the Devilz Nite compilation, rest assured... Everything represented on the comp is the absolute best of what I was given to choose from.
Think of it this way:
If I have a box in front of me, and people all walk up and plop dogshit into it, and I'm forced to pick the best looking dogshit out of the box and compile it into something presentable.. No matter how much I polish it up, it's still dogshit. That means plain and simple: Direct your complaints to the artists who submit that dogshit, not the guy that tried to make it presentable. If you're unhappy with the comp a certain year, then you should be unhappy that the artists aren't putting the effort forth, instead of doubting my ability to make a great presentation.
Thank you all, and looking forward to a Wicked Ass Season this year!
Menacide
