Encyclopaedia Metallum
The Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives (commonly known simply as Metal Archives or just MA ) is a website that contains a database of different forms of metal music. Contents are mainly information about bands and recorded music, but also tens of thousands of book reviews. The site was launched in July 2002 by two Canadians who are known only by their pseudonyms Morrigan and Hellblazer.
On April 9, 2011, a completely revised version of the Encyclopaedia Metallum was introduced, which now contains a few entries about the musicians and record companies.
Cooperation with the users
The registered users are invited to contribute information to the database. October 2013 were registered over 90,000 bands, of which over half are still active. More than 126,000 of over 180,000 registered users are active. More than 150,000 albums and more than a million titles were included at this time. Alexa Internet lists the Encyclopaedia Metallumin the upper echelons of the most popular music sites (ranked 24 on January 3, 2009). Most users come to this point, from Russia, followed by the USA.
Entries are checked by moderators to see if they are metal- typical. Awareness or sales figures are of minor importance. The objective are as comprehensive information on each band, including discography, logo, images, lyrics, instrumentation, general information and Reviews belong.
As an incentive for contributing data, the site uses a points system to ascend in a ranking system by the registered users depending on the number and value of the contributions. A beginner starts as " mallcore kid". The pejorative meant word is already in the process to take as a term for Metal outsider in the heavy metal jargon.
Independence
The Encyclopaedia Metallum is independent and originally contained no advertising. Lack of support led since mid-2005 several times to performance problems that should be remedied, since November 29, 2008. Since November 2007, are on the pages for the individual band entries hyperlinks to various merchandise vendors, affiliate marketing partners include Amazon and eBay.
Content
The content of the site is subject to strict rules which bands are included and which are not. Be taken only bands that are considered "Metal ", where these borders are fluid and change over time occasionally. Taken is a band if they has achieved its own publication. This includes demo tapes and singles, only digital publications, however, are not enough. Some bands are included, although they are indeed no metal bands, one or more of their albums but are attributed to the genre or the metal influences are generally considered sufficient.
When mixed with metal styles of the operators reserve the right to refuse admission. Therefore, for example, the German band Rammstein despite its international success not included. Pure Cover Bands will also not be accepted.