Hi people,

First, go and look at the featured artists on the bottom of the journal, they deserve it (all winners of the "Metal Song" contest).

After that...Ok, I know: I promised a contest also. That decision is still on. The prizes are ready. Everything just begs for set off...so why isn't there a contest yet?

For all of you who wrote a note (and "thanks" for filling my notes...but, lol, I tried to answer every single one and hopefully, succeeded) to ask what is going on, here it is:

Contest will be, probably by the end of the next week. Yes, I remember, I said that in the last journal. Well, yes and I meant it, but as usually, RL gets in a way.

First, I'm on my water fast and it is trailing, as always (with satisfactory results health-wise, but still). Second, I'm not home currently and forgot to take a photos of the prizes before going away. Third...

A very dear friend of mine is in a pretty bad and unusual place right now and I'm trying to help as much as I can...He and his band are pretty well known musicians and some time ago, broke a contract with their house and lost a record label they were working under. So what, most will say, if they're known let them just go under some other label.

Unfortunately, contrary to usual believes, it is very hard for a known "name" to find a new label, as most of the houses are predefined in their conditions and wishes and contracts and blah, blah, blah...not an environment for someone who is accustomed to have a final decision over his work. Most of the big houses we encountered (and I say "we", as I'm trying to help) so far are willing to have him and the band, but under their own conditions (of course). Problem is, most of those conditions just suck.

On the other hand, many small and middle houses would gladly take him and the band under their name, but just can't give good enough conditions (it is not pride or anything similar...they just doesn't meet the needs of the band for now). So the band is lingering in a sort of music limbo, trying to decide would they go up into "money slavery" or down into "poverty laced freedom" and all their friends are trying to help and find some middle solution, me included. If you have any ideas, you are welcome to suggest, that is a main reason I'm writing all this down, beside explaining what's with the contest. Sorry for no names included, but I don't think it would do good to my friend or me, either, if I would mention those.

Anyway, those are my reasons...I'm kinda stretched to many sides right now. However, contest is a sure thing, so please, PLEASE, don't send any more notes with "where will the contest start", lol. I don't mind that, really and truly, but responding all is a huge job and then I lose even more time. The official story is that the contest should start by the end of next week, if not sooner

And now, to that mentioned features. Behold the winners of the Metal Song Contest:

DIGITAL ART WINNERS
1st Feel the Freedom [link] by
2nd Damien [link] by
3rd Breathe into me [link] by

TRADITIONAL ART WINNERS
1st Poison [link] by
2nd Pillars of Dragons [link] by
3rd Your soul's gonna burn [link] by