A group of bands have published a collective statement on social media detailing what they describe as serious and repeated problems in their dealings with Darkside Records and its representative Saïd Chebacheb.
The statement is signed and supported by several acts that have worked with the label, including Anemoya, Catharsis, Maddox Theory, DUSK and Mythos, alongside a number of other bands.
The accompanying image introduces the post as a “collective statement from bands who have all experienced serious problems with Darkside Records and its representative, Saïd Chebacheb”, adding that those involved are “no longer willing to remain silent”.
According to the bands, the problems concern physical releases, payments, distribution, promotion and live performances. They claim that commitments and deadlines were repeatedly missed, that some artists paid money for services they say were not delivered, and that others were not paid for performances.
“We are a group of bands who have all experienced serious problems with Darkside Records and its representative, Saïd Chebacheb,” the statement reads.
“We were repeatedly given promises and deadlines that were not fulfilled regarding physical releases, payments, distribution, promotion and live shows. Some bands paid money and did not receive what was promised, while others were not paid for performances.”
The bands say attempts were made to resolve the disputes privately over a period of several months.
“We tried to resolve these issues privately for months. Instead, we received excuses, delays, broken promises and, in many cases, silence.
“We are no longer willing to remain silent.”
Those behind the statement say they have retained messages, agreements and other material they believe supports their allegations. They are also encouraging other artists who have worked with Darkside Records to describe their own experiences publicly.
“This is our collective statement. We have the messages, agreements and evidence to support what we are saying.
“Please share this post so that no other band or artist becomes another victim of the same situation.
“In the comments, every affected band is welcome to share their own experience, evidence, concerns and opinion about Darkside Records. The more people know, the harder it will be for this to happen to another artist.”
Darkside Records has presented itself publicly as an independent rock and metal label active across North Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the United States. In recent company communications, it has claimed to have worked with more than 70 artists and to have organised or co-produced more than 300 concerts and events since its foundation in 2014.
At the time of writing, AFRICA.ROCKS has not found a public response to the collective statement on Darkside Records’ or Saïd Chebacheb’s publicly accessible profiles.
