Decapitated are suing their former label Earache Records

Polish death metal outfit Decapitated are asking fans to help fund a lawsuit against their former label Earache Records.

Decapitated signed a four-album deal with Earache in 1999 and say that, since the deal came to an end in 2006, the label have not paid them any royalties.

Now the band are taking legal action against the UK-based label and have created a new merchandise range which they are asking fans to buy to help raise funds for the legal battle.

In a video explaining the situation, guitarist Waclaw ‘Vogg’ Kiettyka says: “We have, as a band, fulfilled all of the requirements on the contract. We recorded four albums, promoted them, played shows etc.

“However, they haven’t paid a penny in royalties since the deal ended 10 years ago. For that reason, we have decided to begin legal action against the label.

“In order to raise the funds for the legal proceedings, the lawyers and so forth, we’re issuing a limited-edition t-shirt.”

In 2007, Decapitated’s tour bus was involved in a collision with a lorry in Belarus. Drummer Witold Kiettyka – Waclaw’s brother – later died of his injuries and singer Adrian ‘Covan’ Kowanek left the band in 2008 to continue his recovery.

The band escaped serious injury in another crash, this time in New Orleans in 2014.

In the video, Waclaw adds: “We’re now asking you all on behalf of the band, Covan and Vitek’s families, to purchase the t-shirt to support the band and for justice to be done.”

Earache have yet to respond to a request for comment.

Decapitated remaining 2016 tour dates

Jul 02: Bogota Rock Al Parque, Colombia
Oct 14: Szczecin Dom Kultury Słowianin, Poland
Oct 22: Gdynia Klub Muzyczny UCHO, Poland
Oct 23: Poznan Blue Note, Poland
Nov 03: Wroclaw Klub Abili, Poland
Nov 06: Krakow CK Rotunda, Poland
Nov 20: Warsaw Klub Proxima, Poland

Decapitated: Blood Mantra

Stef wrote close to 5,000 stories during his time as assistant online news editor and later as online news editor between 2014-2016. An accomplished reporter and journalist, Stef has written extensively for a number of UK newspapers and also played bass with UK rock favourites Logan. His favourite bands are Pixies and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Stef left the world of rock'n'roll news behind when he moved to his beloved Canada in 2016, but he started on his next 5000 stories in 2022.