So I am pleased to welcome my brother Alexander to the filthy graveyard of Cadaveric Noiseletter and where he will talk to us and reveal a little more about the activities of Fetzner Death Records.

SUPPORT THE TRUE CADAVERIC UNDERGROUND!

With all my knowledge, I decided to release a sampler with pure old school death metal and started writing to bands from all over Europe to ask if they could provide me with a track from their current album, and lo and behold, the first confirmations came in. After just under three months, I had collected 20 tracks from 20 bands from 20 different European countries, including the contracts I had written for each individual track. I created 50% of the artwork myself and, with the help of a graphic designer, the print data for Europe's Death Metal Attack 2022 was ready. I obtained the production notification from GEMA and off it went to the press. Four weeks later, the 300 digipacks were ready, and now the CDs had to be delivered to the man. I started distributing the CDs on Bandcamp unter Fetzner Death Records, all with a business registration, of course. Less than 14 days had passed when the first bands featured on the CD, such as Voorhees from France and Orbicate from Italy, asked me if I would release an album for them, and the whole thing became unstoppable. Fetzner Death Records was born, and so everything took its course.

C.N. - Although Fetzner Death Records is a new label, it has made consistent progress, allowing it to release high-quality releases and highlight its support for bands and the underground movement. I'd like to ask you which aspects of metal best define your work?
F.D.R. - My goal was simply to help smaller, still relatively unknown bands get their material out there. Specializing in extreme sounds, it focuses on promoting and distributing bands in the Doom, Speed, Thrash, Black, and Death Metal genres. With a passion for the underground and a commitment to quality, Fetzner Death Records offers a carefully curated distro, supporting authentic artists and productions that embody the raw and powerful essence of metal.

C.N. - I would like to ask if there are any other projects, such as bands, labels or fanzines that you are or have been involved in the past. If so, can you tell us a little more about these projects?
F.D.R. - No, I'm not involved anywhere and will continue to do my work on my own in the future. Every now and then, I release an album with another label, but that rarely happens.

C.N. - Nowadays we live in a digital age where everything has become easier and simpler, but also more sensitive and the more extreme Underground community has almost disappeared due to politically correct ideologies where everything is offensive and perverted. How do you see this and what is your opinion regarding the modern Underground of today?
F.D.R. - I wonder if there is even such a thing as a real underground anymore, since even the smallest bands or solo musicians from the most remote corners of the earth, even if they have only released two tracks, can be found on all digital platforms.

C.N. - There are currently many record labels that don't exchange releases, and when they do, they only care about capitalist or commercial fundamentals and forget the true Underground spirit of unity and support each other in the musical underworld. What is your view and opinion about the current Underground scene, where everyone claims to be Underground, but in reality, only a few maintain that spirit with true Underground attitudes?
F.D.R. - Let's be honest, most people are only interested in money and not so much in music. Many are struggling to survive and have to earn money no matter what it takes. During my very brief time in the label scene, I have met many different characters, fortunately very good labels with whom I work as a distributor. You can often see at first glance on social media how labels and bands work together, and you can quickly get an idea of how important it is to put the band in the spotlight.

C.N. - When I discovered Fetzner Death Records, one of the things that caught my attention was the way you promote your releases and the support you provide to bands in promoting their music. Do you think this work is important for each release, and do you consider it a way of supporting the bands that choose to work with Fetzner Death Records?
F.D.R. - Unfortunately, it is not possible without advertising and 100% support. The bands need full support, otherwise even the best album won't sell if it isn't marketed. At first, I did a lot myself, organizing interviews and reviews, but at some point you reach your limits, and since I can't work for the label 24 hours a day, I sought professional help to take some of the work off my hands. And most importantly, the bands are very actively involved in the releases; that's the only way to achieve your goals.

C.N. - These days, it's so easy to post everything online and try to attract attention, but there are bands and labels that really don't know how to design their releases and just want to be seen everywhere and stand out like musical prostitutes, becoming nothing more than digital photocopies of each other with no attitude or credibility. I'd like to ask and learn a little more about the concepts and attitudes you consider relevant before accepting a band's release?
F.D.R. - A clean application is essential. You can immediately tell how professional a band is or isn't, especially when they are about to release their debut album. Many bands or musicians have their applications written by agencies, and for me that's a sign that the band wants to achieve something bigger. I look at all the promotional material very carefully and usually don't have to think twice about saying yes. And when I get requests like “Can you produce my album?” or “What will you give me in return?”, I could burst. :)

C.N. - Is it important for you to join forces with publishers to create co-releases? Many publishers simply want to enter into co-releases to avoid the hassle, and they don't contribute anything in terms of promotion, much less support. When you accept a release partnership, is this something you evaluate and take into consideration?
F.D.R. - There were no problems whatsoever with the labels I had already made an album with; we support each other as best we can. So far, I have only worked with German labels, but that may change in the future. I receive many requests for joint releases, but I have to keep my feet on the ground and not take on too much. I also need some free time for my family.

C.N. - Now, talking about something that I find interesting and that I like to do is printing flyers and exchanging flyers to complement the promotion, how important is this to you and do you think it is something fundamental or is simply using the damn social networks and posting everywhere is enough?
F.D.R. - Flyers are meant to be distributed and are an essential part of promoting your other products, such as LPs and cassettes, and especially which bands you have available. For me, it's still indispensable at concerts for laying out or distributing, maybe I'm just too old-fashioned.^^ Social media is naturally at the forefront and is the fastest form of communication.

C.N. - There are currently many webzines and fanzines that are presented digitally, but many still resist the idea of ??publishing printed versions. The world of fanzines has also changed a lot over time, so I'd like to ask you which format you prefer: digital or physical?
F.D.R. - I myself have several subscriptions to German metal magazines, and to be honest, I look at them once and that's it. On social media, you always see the same posts as in magazines; sooner or later, paper will disappear completely. Some magazines are now only available as PDF files because printing them is simply no longer profitable.

C.N. - Speaking now of tours, live concerts and festivals where bands can perform and showcase their sound, do you think it's easier or harder for bands to perform live these days? Why do you think it's important for bands to perform live?
F.D.R. - I think live performances are simply part of showing fans that you can do more than just work in the studio.

C.N. - Before concluding this interesting interview I would like to ask you what are the plans and what we can expect for the future of Fetzner Death Records?
F.D.R. - I don't have any big plans, I take things as they come, and above all I want to stay healthy and work with smaller bands and bring their music out into the world.

Interview conducted by Danihell Slaughter from Murder Records.