FAQ: Contributions
4.5 - Submitting band info
Make sure the band name is spelled the "official way". If there are alternative spellings, put them in the "Also known as" box (example: Mötley Crüe / Motley Crue). All former names also go there. If there are two bands with the same name, the "bigger" one should have the normal name, but the other one should get it's country attached in upper-case, in round brackets: example Autumn and Autumn (RUS).
Add a picture, in which all the band members can be seen well; avoid distortion and pics with other people in them. If you can't find a promo picture, use a live one instead.
If the country of Origin is different than the current location please fill out both fields. Ex: Inquisition
Check the band's or label's website to go sure that the band still is on the same label as mentioned.
Make sure the "formed in" date equals the one mentioned in the biography. In the process of the migration to MSv3, many founding years have been changed to the year of the first release, which of course is wrong most of the time.
Try to list all of the band's official sites; no merch stores, label sites, or personal social media accounts. The Official site link goes at the top, all other links must be ordered alphabetically afterward. Link names must display as they do on their respective sites (meaning no abbreviations and with proper formatting), e.g. Bandcamp (not BandCamp), Myspace (not MySpace), ReverbNation (not Reverbnation), SoundCloud (not Soundcloud), VKontakte (not Vkontakte), YouTube (not Youtube), etc. Please note that certain websites are not considered appropriate for linking in a band's profile. Linktree, FanLink, and anything similar with "link" in the name are out, as are Twitch, Tumblr, TikTok, and anything that resembles an entertainment service platform, personal blog, etc. Pages from sites like the Metal Archives, Bandzone, and others that consist of third-party-compiled information are not allowed. Sites like Patreon will be allowed on a case-by-case basis if they are for the entire band and are relevant to the band as a musical entity. Basically, focus on websites that are 1) operated by or on behalf of the band; 2) pertinent to the entire band; and 3) primarily geared toward sharing music, announcements, press coverage, updates, and that sort of thing. We realize that with the number of social media platforms out there it is difficult to split the hair between what we want and what we don't want, but please consider these guidelines when updating band profiles.
We do allow more leeway for individual musicians. If someone in a band has a personal website or Patreon or Twitch or what have you that they would like to be advertised, we will allow those to be linked in their musician profile. Don't take this as license to start adding everybody's private Facebook profiles or Twitter accounts, however - we're not interested in compiling everybody's personal information, we're just allowing folks a platform to promote their side projects if they have something going on outside their main band.
Check the band's website for an updated biography. If the new biography concentrates too much on the newest releases and doesn't talk about the older stuff, find other sources (e.g. All Music Guide) or write one yourself. Please always specify the source in the end.
Bands should only be made visible after their profile is completed - general info, biography, styles, lineup, albums, band image. If it's done, ask to have the band activated or contact a Staff member.
If you have any suggestions regarding the style/styles played by the band please report them in the Featured bands - report mistakes thread or send a PM to a Staff member.
Also check the Site news and announcements topic for the latest updates and changes.