I wouldn't just because I love opening up a new cd (unless it has that evil plastic wrappign I cant get into) sitting down and absorbing it. But ultimately, as long as peopel buy stuff, I don't think there's too much harm in doing it (as longas they lsiten to it as a whole album)

I download a lot of albums, but usually I buy them on the first day of the release, if the album is good, because at this time of my life I don't have a lot to spend on albums..My friends think im a wierd, because I just love the smell on new cds..You open the plastic, and get the cd, and play it and read the booklet the same time..I have bought every townsend record(and syl), and will buy the new one on the first day..I will try not to download, but I hope there will be some sample or something before the release date..

I'll probably download it first, but I will buy the CD when it's released. Gotta support the artist.

It's amazing to see so many regretful downloadees of Alien, makes me glad I held off and waited for the real thing!! Which is what I will do for synchestra too, but it will be extremely tough. This album will go down as my most anticipated release ever!!

For me its the fear of a muddy, unfinished leak that turns me away from downloading any leaks from bands I really hold dear, the rest i'm always keen to check out and d/l regardless.

I too have big plans for my first listen, involving Uluru, the desert night sky, a couple of beers, sand dunes and headphones!

I have not d/l'ed an unreleased album. Yet. Mainly because I only use Limewire and I haven't looked/seen anything like that on there. Now, I have d/l'ed songs, though. Usually so I can check something out before I buy it. But, since I own nearly 500 CD's (which doesn't count the albums I have sold to used CD stores) and buy music from iTunes, I reckon I'm not part of the music industry's problem. I usually d/l a couple of tracks, rather than a whole album.

For me, the main reason not to d/l is quality. I know enough about digital compression to know that the sound quality on a ripped track is less than optimal. If it's an artist or song I like, then I want to own a CD copy so I can at least manage the compression myself and use a high enough bitrate. Most songs I rip at 192kbps in the AAC format. But, for stuff I really like (like DTB, SYL, and other sonically demanding music) I rip it at 256kbps AAC. Even then, I wonder if I'm not missing something in the compression. But, most stuff you d/l is at 128 and mp3 format. Ugh.

I rather download albums than buy those. One reason is that bands don't usually get that much money when I go to a store buy their albums. And I will download Synchestra whenever it's just possible. But I will definately buy it through HevyDevy records. That's the best way to support Dev.

And i don't give a rat's ass about downloading the new Madonna album etc. She has too much money anyway. So what's the point. And when my band's album is ready it will definately be downloadable through website/myspace etc. Because I know most of the people will download it no matter what I do and say. And in the end I also download majority of my music nowadays.

Argh... i'm just wasting space here writing BS. Point is... I'll buy the new DTB album, no matter what.

Dude, I wish I could experience what you'll hopefully experience !
That would be the perfect way to get into this album !
RVP

Thanks for the appreciation! That comment got me all happy and giggly. Hopefully I'll find that hand of yours on the next DTB european tour and give it a good shake of respect.

I've bought every CD Devin puts out and take a loan if I don't have money. Done it before. Now I'm about to get a good job and then I'm buying the whole catalogue of everything from t-shirts stickers! Leaks are just a tease to torment us who buy the stuff regardless.

[JuZ]

I too have big plans for my first listen, involving Uluru, the desert night sky, a couple of beers, sand dunes and headphones!

I assume you're going to be somewhere around Uluru anyway? That would be some hardcore dedication, to travel all the way to Alice Springs just to listen to an album... even one as anticipated as this!

I only download stuff that I have no intention of buying. Or stuff that is not available commercially, like bootlegs or unrealeased B-sides. I'm glad I got an "advance" copy of "Alien", because it was a bit different than the official release...and now I have both...

I don't think any true music enthusiast dl's an album and doesn't buy it eventually (they might be broke like me). I don't think there are any Devn Townsend fans who just throw on an album for some background noise and nothing more.

As far as Synchestra goes, I will probably not do it. I think when I get my copy of the disc I am gonna go walk around with it in my cd player in the woods or something. I don't have a beach within walking distance

I assume you're going to be somewhere around Uluru anyway? That would be some hardcore dedication, to travel all the way to Alice Springs just to listen to an album... even one as anticipated as this!

Yup, live 20km from Uluru at Ayers Rock Resort, which is still another 450 km away from Alice, so you could say it would take some dedication to travel all the way from here to alice to listen to it!

As it is I will wait till its night time, and not 50 degrees in the shade, stroll up a sand dune, look up at one of the most complete night skies on the planet and soak it up!!

If Synchestra leaked tomorrow I would download it. I know downloading songs is screwing artists over, but personally I cannot feel guilty because I have 4,500+ CDs. I buy everything. The day that album goes on sale at HDR, Tracy and Dev will have my money. You can bet on that.

Unfortunately most everyone isn't like me. I have friends with 50,000 some odd MP3s and they own like 4 real CDs. I can't be like that. I need to own the actual CD to be content! Hahaha.

[djskrimp]

If Synchestra leaked tomorrow I would download it. I know downloading songs is screwing artists over, but personally I cannot feel guilty because I have 4,500+ CDs. I buy everything. The day that album goes on sale at HDR, Tracy and Dev will have my money. You can bet on that.

Unfortunately most everyone isn't like me. I have friends with 50,000 some odd MP3s and they own like 4 real CDs. I can't be like that. I need to own the actual CD to be content! Hahaha.

Amen, Brother Eyesore, I second that!! I own quite a few CDs, and Tracy and the HDR family have certainly tasted quite a bit of my green. I've always been patient for Christmas, but never for new music. However, as I said, I am going to actually try to wait this one out for the disc to come out.

I only download stuff that I have no intention of buying. Or stuff that is not available commercially, like bootlegs or unrealeased B-sides. I'm glad I got an "advance" copy of "Alien", because it was a bit different than the official release...and now I have both...

Agreed, I don't see any problem in downloading that stuff...it would be interesting to know what the legal implications are of it too.

Yeah If I downloaded this album, I would buy it when it's released anyway, just like I'm gonna do with that new In Flames album. You have to respect your fave artists...