Hey guys been a while since I posted much, has been very hectic in the lives of FT lately. Nothing bad mind you just busy.

So here is all the skinny, first we have picked up two endorsement deals, one with AcmeBarGig Software, and the other with Wyre's custom strings. Sue has taken a new full time job with the city that has taken alot of her time as she is learning it from the ground up. I am in the process of being promoted to full librarian which really doesn't change much of my schedule, but is a new avenue in my life, and of course better money, that goes for both of our jobs. Paul is taken care of his family, and his work, and the usual uber-hectic pace of his life. The record is to the vocals, solos and harmony gtr parts stage, what that means basically is all the instrument tracks are finished along with rough mixes for Sue and Paul to get that parts ready. For Sue this involves writing lyrics, vocal melodies, harmony vocals, and then tracking, for paul its recording his solos, and writing the guitar harmony parts, and tracking his harmony parts. I still have my solos, harmony lines, and vocals to complete. We are hoping to start tracking vocals in late July. and have the record finished for final mixing and mastering in October.

Here is the generic titles of the songs, and their approximate lengths to give you an idea of where this album is headed. at least musically, since I myself gave no clue on lyrics, theme, etc at this point.

Fateless Tears IV (working Title)

1. Opener - this is a two part song first half is instrumental second half is vocal, mood ranges from aggressive, and reflective. 10 minutes

2. BIGDIG - this is a tune some have heard in its instrumental stage through ABG Artist of the month page, a twisting twirling riff laden tune, that will likely be one of the singles once finished vocally. 5 minutes

3. Liger - yes the crossbreed of a lion and tiger is the image that comes to mind with this song, combining powerful riffs, with multiple tempo changes, and crushing grooves 8 minutes

4. Retro Pt 1 - this is the first half os the longest tune on the album, power ballad by nature, with hints to a previous era, 5 minutes

5 Retro Pt 2 - the yang to pt., 1 ying, this part takes many twistes and turns in riggage, tempo and mood, and finishes the story started in pt 1. 6 minutes

We decided to split this tune apart because, well it did, since it had a 2 second with a stop break between the two parts. In many ways this tune structure really reminds me of Genesis' Home By the Sea Epic that last really prog song by them. Not to say we are going that same direction away from Prog, more the two parts weave together to tell a large story yet are presented as a pt 1 and pt 2.

6. Riff Mania - thus dubbed by Paul upon hearing it for the first time, Built upon a power ballad beginning the 3 part tune is like a rolalr coaster ride, spun full of riffs, twists, and turns. 10 minutes

7. D-Tuna - This tune is shorter, melodic, and has the synth elements that mainy have come to love, ala Mesmerized and MEDS. 5 minutes.

8. Piano/Trio - the closing ballad for this album, showcases piano, and a string trio, to further develop the end of album story that has been developing sicne IMS. 5 minutes

So these times are roughly presented, the actual final run time hasn't been calculated yet.

The overall vibe of the album is heavier, moodier, and darker than Doom Box, yet also has a bit of a retro vibe going on to the early 90s. Just how the tunes came out this time, in my writing process.

We are really looking forward to finishing this album and letting you all hear it in its entirety.

We are still contemplating how we are going to release this whether primarily digitally, with a few limited edition copies for physical sale, so only physical. the buying public of music seems to be getting smaller as ppl would rather simply buy or download a song or two than spend their money on a full cd. SO we will have to decide that and how RMS records will continue in this miserable state of the music industry that is laden with ppl accepting music in its poorest, most sterile and corrupted state, when a truer better alternative exists, although not as handy... oh well sorry mini rant...

so curious Rich!!!!!!!!!!!!

here is the link for the BIGDIG tune for a teaser...

http://www.rmsrecords.com/resources/FatelessTears_DIG_Demo.mp3

Thanks a lot for information, glad to hear all is going well.

And btw, you need to get the few limited physical copies on sale for us greedy europeans who dont care for digital downloads

Dunno what we are gonna do, I am just particularly pissed off about the whole mess currently, due to the economy we might have to only do downloads... printing costs keep going up and companies keep raising limits on how few copies you can get...

And based off the sales of the last album simply not worth having that many drink coasters left, since that about all a unsold cd is good for...

sorry more ranting...

but this entire situation of album sales, legal downloads, & illegal file sharing, etc...

Just makes me wonder why we bother trying to sell anything in the first place. Way more headache than its worth honestly.

But that is a whole other rant for another thread some day...

yeah the CD buying is turning shit here so i can only quess how's it is there already. good luck anyway, digital wont make the music worse!

Some physical release for us Europeans, please, I really hate digital release, really!!!!

Great! Thanks for posting!

Eetu & Miriam,

Thank you for your support and comments on the physical release.

We will take it under advisement, at this point I am very unsure as what to do...

However, take this into consideration, if say we have just 50 discs made, about as low as you can go in duplication from a respectable company... At $10US we need to sell 20 to just break even on the manufacturing costs. That doesn't take into consideration, taking care of utility costs, shipping and handling, packaging materials, promotion costs, or any of the other bills that are associated in the production of the albums. Yes we could raise the price I suppose, raise shipping and handling costs for overseas sales, but I have a hard time doing either because I feel people are already opting out of the price solely cause of the price, why else would they say they are going to get it, then don't unless they are lying bastards?

I know its easy to think that would be easy amount to sell, its not... Truthfully if you all knew how few copies of Doom Box were sold you'd hopefully be appalled... The number copies sold in comparison to all the people who listen to our music (via legal and illegal outlets), compliment us, even say they are gonna buy the album when its released is very divergent. i.e. the one greatly exceeds the other.

So hopefully you can see our position in this, while we are not looking to become rich at this, we do need to at least break even album to album.

We will figure out something I am sure, jsut not exactly sure what right now...

Ok, sorry I haven't been around much lately due to health issues and whatnot. When I get the money and if the album is released I WILL buy it.

hey Tayla, hopefully things are better now...

as said we will figure it out, I imagine there will be physical copies, as to how many I am not sure...

The fact Caz is shutting down her store doesn't make it any easier... However I can understand her position.

Anybody knows how long femme metal store will be down?

I am not sure even Caz knows the answer to that question...

About 6/7 months I believe I'll ask Miriam.

Thanks for checking, when I asked Caz she wasn't for sure at that point.

As change is a part of life so has how we are gonna approach the two albums. due to scheduling, and day job duties of S. Lee, Paul and myself, the shorter album will be first.

it will include:

Big Dig

Liger

Halogen Dawn (i.e. Retro from the original message)

D-Tuna

Piano/Trio

and Metalhearts - an intro mental that will start of the album.

also as a bonus track there will be a radio single version of PT1 of Halogen Dawn, and a 7 to 8 minute alternate mix.

The run time of the album will be in the 42 minute range.

the other tunes along with the 23 minute epic will be on the fifth album which we hope to have finished in 2010.