So this is a topic about the bands that you don't necessarily like, but feel like you have to support by buying their albums.

I am writing this as I listen to the Romanian band White Walls' latest album "Mad Man Circus". As I described this band before, they have a very strange style that mixes alternative, deathcore and progressive metal.. now this might not come as a surprise to anyone who knows me around here, but those are some of the genres I normally stay away from. I think I don't need to say that their style is completely original and, at least for me, unheard before.

The fact is that this album was recorded by them together with a completely non-profit association who work almost entirely pro-bono (for free). I bought the album before I knew that, but it only strengthens my belief that there are certain albums or bands out there who deserve support just because they were able to create something new and original even though they might not be among your favorites.

The first one I can think off was during a show in Cleveland for a band from around my area called The Long Cold Dark. I was so impressed I bought a CD for $10 even though that was the first time I've heard of them.

I do it all the time. the guys from Lions offered to ship me an album for free, but I insisted I payed. Their life is hard enough wiothout have to spend $4 to ship some cds to some random canuck.

Wall of Sleep

It is a local stoner doom outfit, who definitely makes very good music that I like, the primary reason why I own two of their albums is not because it is some oh-so-favourite band of mine but because 1) they were pretty cheap 2) I felt compelled to support local bands.

But yeah I definitely like the band, just normally would not be a priority to spend money on.

I was at a concert in Los Angeles to see Paradise Lost and Katatonia, and this one avant-grade metal/punk type band named Stolen Babies was listed as the first opener. I wasn't necessarily a fan of their material as they performed, but i liked them enough to want to support them and buy their album "There Be Squabbles Ahead". I haven't really listened to it much since the concert, but I figured a band like them deserves some support regardless.

None so far just support

I used to go to a lot of "small shows" with only underground bands and I tried to buy their demo if they had one AND if I had the money. A demo was 200 BF (5 euro) + some beers, cigarettes and the bus/train and my weekly 400 BF was gone

Other example:
I bought an Otargos CD on their tour with Destroyer666 and Watain and a Suicidal Angel one on their passage with Belphegor.
Not bad CD's at all, but I bought them in first instance to support them.

Well I did it with Barn Burner at a concert ended up loving them, same thing with Mortor, Insurrection, Revocation, Chariots Of The Gods, Anonymus (...)
But I can't say I don't like the bands... usually I only support what I like. If I don't enjoy the music Im definitely not gonna contribute to it