Important info about CDs by Mathias Grassow listed on el culto
Some time ago we were informed that the music on several albums by Mathias Grassow includes uncleared samples of releases by other artists. In legal terms "uncleared" means that an artist used music (sound samples and / or sections) from other works without permission from the legal owner of the copyright, and presented it as their own. After some detailed research, we unfortunately have to confirm that this information is correct, and refers at least to the following CDs by Mathias:
:: Transpersonal
:: Calibration
:: 3rd Dimension
:: Fata Morgana
Two of those albums ("Transpersonal" and "3rd Dimension") extensively use sounds and complete sections from the song "Løyndomsriss" by the band "Wardruna".
A track on another album ("Fata Morgana") uses the complete guitar and synthesizer section of the track "The First Snow" by the band "Drudkh".
Finally on "Calibration", an entire track was taken from the previously released album "Perfume" by Klaus Wiese.
As we are sensitive about copyright issues and have respect for the artistic works of other musicians, we have decided to delete the afore-mentioned CDs from our site, and el culto will cease to distribute these albums from now on.
Despite this unfortunate news, we will still proceed with the re-release of "Himavat" in 2014, because the whole album (new mixing / mastering, covers, CDs) is already manufactured and was previously approved by Mathias (together with Himalaya and Dagaz). However, this will be the last album by Mathias directly released by el culto.
Greetings,
Tomas