I'm puzzled why the user "Porman" deleted the following releases from the Cathedral (UK) page:

"Ride" - Promo Single
"Midnight Mountain" - Promo Single
"Grim Luxuria" - Promo Single

These exist and are official releases by Columbia Records, and I've included links below for proof. If they were deleted due to them being questioned if they were real, I think they should be brought back.

Ride:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CATHEDRAL-Ride-CD-RARE-1993-Sony-COMPACT-DISC-Promo-/230911114592?pt=Music_CDs&hash=item35c35ffd60

Midnight Mountain:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CATHEDRAL-Midnight-Mountain-CD-RARE-1993-Sony-COMPACT-DISC-Promo-/230911113749?pt=Music_CDs&hash=item35c35ffa15

Grim Luxuria
http://www.discogs.com/Cathedral-Grim-Luxuria/release/2798734

He deleted them because they're promotional-only singles, never intended for public distribution. They were only ever sent to labels and promoters, usually in advance of an upcoming album. So in other words, they were never meant for the average Joe to get his hands on them - a stone's throw from being a bootleg, really.

Each of those links you've provided have "Demonstration - Not for sale" written on them.

• Grim Luxuria
• Ride / Midnight Mountain

I'm not sure the guy should even be selling 'em.

In the US, they are considered gifts, wherein the recipient may do with them as (s)he pleases. Even if a label demands a recall (very rare occurrence), one is not obliged to return the promo. As for other countries ...

While I agree they're not releases available to the general public, there are many of them available in 2nd hand shops, Ebay, etc., so they are available to fans who seek them out. And to call them close to bootlegs I feel is a bit of a stretch. A bootleg is released by a 3rd party without the consent of the band and label, while these radio-promos / singles are totally official, and authorized by the bands.

In my opinion they belong in the band's discography. In fact I'm almost positive these singles used to be on the band's official website in the discography section when they used to have one. But if the mods decide they aren't supposed to be in any band's discography, there are TONS of bands in the archives with promo/radio-only releases like this in their discographies. Just an FYI...

They weren't originally intended for the public (hence the "not for resale" labeling).


Report them for deletion. But remember (promo or not) that if the band gave them away or sold them, for example, then they are allowed on here. (Public distribution ...)

well, you can start with these two if you're serious about purging the archives of promos:
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Me ... ack/179769
http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Me ... m%29/22080

if I'm not speaking out of line, though, I'd vote for promos to stay. a large chunk of m-a users are collectors, serious or aspiring.

Considering the initial poster's question has been answered, should we abandon this thread (and a mod lock it), and use this thread for any further promo discussions?

MA is not a site for collectors, it's here to function as an encyclopedia. People collect bootlegs as well, but we don't allow those either.

I think everything has been answered pretty well here.