So I get this “press release” from Alfa Matrix that requests I get the word out on their latest contest. The header is; “Get your favourite band a label contract at Alfa Matrix !” So I begin running through the list of local bands who I might be able to nominate for a spot on the Alfa Matrix roster. But then I read further.

Alfa Matrix launches a polling contest were YOU get to vote for your favourite ‘up and coming’ band ! This contest is a big part of the preparation for the 5th edition of the cult Endzeit Bunkertracks 4CD box compilation series for which Alfa Matrix is still accepting submissions until 15th October 2009 (send your material to endzeit@alfa-matrix.com ).

So I get my favorite (or favourite) local band to make a submission to AM for the next Endzeit Bunkertracks compilation and maybe they’ll get signed to the label. Cool.

Oh, wait.

Alfa-Matrix has already selected the 5 best up and coming (and still unsigned!) bands to appear on the new Endzeit Bunkertracks sampler. Now it is YOUR turn to make your voice heard ! You have the power to cast your vote and elect the best from these top 5 bands. Vote wisely, because the stakes are high! Top Prize is a record deal with Alfa-Matrix. Yes, that’s correct, the band that receives the most votes in the contest will have the opportunity to release their album on Alfa Matrix in 2010.

So I have absolutely no say in which bands are nominated. The choice has already been made for me by…someone at the label. Ah well. I wonder who these bands are.

The 5 bands are:

FREAKANGEL
ANTYTHESYS
STAHLNEBEL VS BLACK SELKET
TRIMETRICK
THE LUDOVICO TECHNIQUE

Horribly unfortunate names aside, a couple of these acts are pretty good. Antythesys is really fun though there seems to be a juvenile over-reliance on the word “bitch” with song titles like “Always Been My Bitch” and “Hellectrobitch” (ugh). Of course, Trimetrick has a track called “Bitch From Hell (extended).” Ludovico Technique seems to want to be Das Ich pretty badly. I dunno, these choices don’t really add up to much promise. I could have done better with our own local pool.

If you want more info on these acts and are intersted in participating in the vote you can do so right here. And may goth have mercy on your souls.