The record labels put them on because otherwise Wal-Mart or whatever will refuse to carry the album. Bands like Strapping young lad don't have it on their album covers because theres no chance of them getting onto the shelves of walmart anyways.

I think that's what it is...

I think the Wal-Mart thing has something to do with it for some albums, such as there being an edited St. Anger specifically for stores like Wal-Mart, but it's more likely overall that each label chooses to label or not label each album for different reasons. Some types of music actually sell better with those labels. There are just too many factors to put down one specific reason this happens. I mean, why have essentially curse-free Slayer albums been labeled due to violent themes when Edguy's Rocket Ride can get away with "F**king with Fire"? Who knows

The reason is that it's 2006, not 1986. Why do you hear "b**ch" and "*ss" on daytime/primetime TV now? Why can they show bare-*ss on TV shows now? How come Comedy Central is completely uncensored after 10pm? Times have changed. That is the reason. What was once a generally accepted profanity is not anymore.

An Edguy album may have the work "f**k" on one song a few times, but it's viewed as harmless. A Three 6 Mafia album will have the word "f**k" and a hundred other profanities laced countless throughout the entire album. That is not viewed as harmless.

I think the whole issue of mainstream vs. underground music also has a lot to do with it. Often, the more mainstream albums are the ones that will get Parental Advisory stickers since the people who slap those on figure those are the albums all the kids/teenagers will be buying. And, of course, twelve/thirteen year olds will see these albums with their "Parental Advisories" and rebelliously be like, "Awesome!!! I must buy this!!!"

For example, there are quite a few black metal bands not getting Parental Advisory stickers. But Marilyn Manson is getting them. Despite the fact that these BM bands have far more offensive lyrics.

I think the whole issue of mainstream vs. underground music also has a lot to do with it. Often, the more mainstream albums are the ones that will get Parental Advisory stickers since the people who slap those on figure those are the albums all the kids/teenagers will be buying. And, of course, twelve/thirteen year olds will see these albums with their "Parental Advisories" and rebelliously be like, "Awesome!!! I must buy this!!!"

For example, there are quite a few black metal bands not getting Parental Advisory stickers. But Marilyn Manson is getting them. Despite the fact that these BM bands have far more offensive lyrics.

The record labels put them on because otherwise Wal-Mart or whatever will refuse to carry the album. Bands like Strapping young lad don't have it on their album covers because theres no chance of them getting onto the shelves of walmart anyways.

I think that's what it is...

Durrr, have you ever even been to a Wal-Mart? They don't carry albums that have curse words, and if they do it's edited out with a very loud and annoying *BEEP*.

It depends on the label basically. If the label is big enough to be on the PMRC's radar, then the album will have to be submitted to them for a pre-listen, and then they determine if the album gets the sticker or not. Much the same way movies get rated. If it's a relatively small label then the PMRC probably doesn't even know it exists anyways. If it's an offshore label like Sanctuary Records, then the album doesn't fall under their jurisdiction, and legally they can't require a sticker.

i've seen cd's with those Parental Advisory labels on them and black metal cd's without in the same store. So it's probably something crappy rap- and crappy "metalbands" use to sell more cd's because that makes them cool. And u want to be cool, right?

... else it just a matter of being mainstream or not, and i partly agree with both Noodlehead and Seinfield. So i think there's a truth in the "Wal-mart theory", Wal-mart as in mainstream stores as such.



One thing is for sure... if it sais Parental Advisory on the cd's, then i'm not going to buy it!

Then you'll be sooo uncool man! lol

The Wal-Mart theory has a point, but I don't think it's the real truth. And someone said about the offshore labels not getting a sticker. That's quite true. I'm not really sure how it works here in Malaysia, cos most of our metal CD's are imported. So we do have CD's with the PA label and they're all from the US.

Which is why I'm asking this question. Which lable was Cradle of Filth under for their Midian album? It had a PA sticker on it.

Then you'll be sooo uncool man! lol