According to Lamgoat, metal label Forward Regression Records are due to file a lawsuit of plagiarism on behalf of Collapse, signed to their label, from Novia Scotia. In this lawsuit, the complaining party argues that Los Angeles death metal band Terrorizer “blatantly copied” a riff, as well as album artwork for their song “Subterfuge” from their 2012 release “Hordes of Zombies.” The label maintains that the riff in question comes from the Collapse song “Mechanisms of Oppression” which was originally released in 2008, then re-recorded and released in 2011.
Forward Regression states: “It is our opinion that in the song Terrorizer ‘Subterfuge’ one of the main guitar riffs starting at appx. 0:28 Seconds until 0:45 Seconds and again later in the song are lifted directly from the song Collapse – Mechanisms of Oppression at appx 1:48 in the song. Our song was released in 2008 and re-recorded and released again in August 2011.
“As well, the cover artwork for the album resembles our album Collapse – Sustainability. With the Moon in background, with destroyed buildings, and destroyed automobile in the foreground. This will be used in our lawsuit to prove in our opinion that they have blatantly copied our material.”
“If this were a publicity stunt, it is Season of Mist and Terrorizer not Collapse and Forward Regression who are creating the controversy. By coping our album art and lifting riffs directly off our album.”
(See below for song and album art comparison)
Forward Regression further commented on the matter, saying: “If they release the album as planned in the public spotlight then everyone will know if they agree that they have intentionally released plagiarized material for a financial profit. Which will make the lawsuit more severe.
“It is more common to give advance notice to the defending party and then publicly announce the case before it is filed. So that public pressure will force them to rectify the situation. At this time there is not sufficient time until the release date to handle this matter privately with Season of Mist.
“Right now there is no timeline on the lawsuit, and we are watching to see what they will do knowing the case if pending. To see if they will release the album or not.
“So we’ll wait and see what happens while we prepare our case for a financial settlement.”
Lambgoat contacted Season of Mist and apparently this lawsuit is indeed real, and not a hoax.
You can sample both songs here:
Collapse – Mechanisms of Oppression
Album covers:
