It seems that for every two or three respectable bands that Sumerian Records signs, they sign one terrible one. Now, I’m all for diversity and I enjoy seeing the massive fits of fanboy butthurt that sparked over the signing of Borgore and Bizzy Bone. However, it just strikes me as odd that a label as rooted in prog and tech metal as Sumerian is also home to a rapper, a brostep artist, and scene-friendly bands like Asking Alexandria, I See Stars, and now latest signings Make Me Famous, who were no doubt signed in spite of Metalsucks’ glowing recommendations.

As much as I hate to admit it, I can see the logic in it. Anyone in the same position as Sumerian would do the same. Mainstream success = money. Of course, the mass of Sumerian followers weren’t as keen to the idea and have given an apparently noticeable amount of negative feedback, causing Sumerian Records to make a statement on Facebook.

Two things to all you trolls, goblins and tunnel-visioned orcs: Bands like AA and ISS enable us to spend more money on bands like The Faceless and The HAARP Machine. It’s all part of the record label eco-system. We genuinely love AA and ISS just like we do Veil of Maya and Betraying the Martyrs. The younger, open-minded fans that bands like MMF and AA have end up discovering the more prog/technical metal bands Sumerian has been known for as they get older and everyone wins. Ask Born of Osiris and Veil of Maya yourself when they have toured with bands in that scene before. And before you pass judgement on MMF, wait until October 4th when you hear their first song be released that is officially on Sumerian. When AA and ISS were on Jimmy Kimmel, that was good for the entire family. We understand not everyone will like everything on a record label as big as Sumerian because we do not only sign one type of music. What we can promise though is the bands we sign outside of our “future of metal” roster will go on to be massive. Hate on AA but the band is bigger than every act on Rise Records and is direct support to Avenged Sevenfold, the biggest modern day rock/heavy metal band who came out in the past 10 years. You guys act like we sign 10 scene bands for every one BOO or ATB. It’s the other way around fellas!! Now quit bitching and go support Enfold Darkness! See them on tour with Obscura this fall! -Love, The Sphinx.

I couldn’t have said it better myself. As far as shitty acts go, I couldn’t see Sumerian pulling a Victory and signing anything as bad as Design the Skyline out the gate. The dudes at Sumerian aren’t dumb—it’s not like they’ve ever had The Faceless and I See Stars on the same touring bill. Their in-house booking agency tends to keep bands on their relevant tours and markets them the the appropriate people, so as long as I don’t have to hear or see Make Me Famous, I’m good. Also, I appreciate that Sumerian admits they do it for the money. It’s a no-brainer, really. There’s no shame in putting food on the table, am I right?

Disagree? Still want to complain about how bad Make Me Famous is? Mouth off in the comments. I’m sure they have an album due out soon enough, but I didn’t look into it enough to find out when.

- JR