Metal band Flaw has been accused of plagiarism. Musician/Youtuber Douglas Pattrick claims the band lifted parts of his 2016 track “KoЯn style Nu Metal/Rap Metal/Beat Instrumental 14” for their song “Wake Up,” which was released on their recent album, 2019’s Vol. IV: Because Of The Brave.
Pattrick said in a comment posted on September 13th to the video stream:
“These guys stole and plagiarized my music melody and structure. I will contact my lawyer to find out what to do. Search for “KoЯn style Nu Metal/Rap Metal/Beat Instrumental 14.”
The similarities between the two songs are undeniable, especially when it comes to the distinctive guitar riffs that they seem to share. Check the two songs out for yourself below:
Flaw frontman Christopher Volz has since made his own comment on the situation.
“Flaw Family, I feel like I need to address the recent article in PRP about Flaw plagiarizing someone else’s riff.”
Starts the message made to some of the band’s fans on Facebook Monday (16th).
“I’m addressing this here first because there has been so much crap and rhetoric being spread by our ‘haters’ and people who just want to spread drama on social media. The article also makes the whole band look bad and that is just simply not the case.
First and foremost in my 20 years in this industry I have NEVER and will NEVER steal anyone else’s music or ideas. I pride myself on writing my own lyrics and melodies and take the personal side of my music VERY seriously. I also take intellectual property rights very seriously since it is also what protects my work and art.”
Volz said he was unaware that parts of the song were plagiarized since most of the instrumentals are handled by the rest of the band, rearranging only when necessary.
“I have never ever had to experience any doubt about the tracks being presented to me as ‘legit’ originals. This new album was no different.”
Now that the issue has been brought to his attention, Volz is taking the allegations seriously and is dealing with it swiftly.
“The fact that this one guitar riff was written by someone else years ago is a shock to me and I am still trying to process how upset I am over this. I am dealing with this band member internally and will make the appropriate future decision based on the circumstances and severity of the issue.”
He also says that he has been in touch with Pattrick about making reparations.
“I have also made contact with the YouTube guy that wrote the riff and have made an offer to compensate him for his work, he is being cool about the whole thing.”
What he hopes his statement will do is clear up the rumors and make sure the actions of one doesn’t destroy the honest work of the group.
“I did nothing wrong at all, all I did was write and sing my heart out like I always have and then this happens. I am beyond upset. For those of you buying into the crap being spewed by the ex-members and our ‘haters’ please remove yourself from anything related to Flaw.”
He concludes:
“If you can’t see that this was not perpetrated by the whole band, just one member who royally screwed up and is being dealt with, and that 20 plus years of blood sweat and tears pouring my whole life and soul in this industry has taken integrity and sacrifice, then I don’t know what to tell you.”
Flaw released Vol. IV: Because Of The Brave, on July 19. The band is currently wrapping up a North American headlining tour behind the album with Elisium and Verses as main support. Last year, the band filmed and released a music video for “Conquer This Climb” with late night host/comedian Stephen Colbert, who had gifted them a new tour van.
Pattrick is a Brazillian metal guitarist and producer with a sizable 6000 subscribers on YouTube. His latest instrumental, “Nu Metal/Rap Metal/Beat Instrumental 37,” came out in November 2018.
[via thePrp]
