A statement from Josh Haun regarding the closure of Sonic Frontiers(dot)net:
First of all, I want to say that the decision to close down Sonic Frontiers was a tough one, and not something I took lightly. For the past several months, I have wrestled with whether or not to soldier on with the site. Unfortunately there are a number of reasons that have recently come to light which have made me realize that the site has run its course, and I have no choice but to re-focus my time, creativity and energies on other endeavors.
When Sean started Sonic Frontiers, he envisioned not just another music site, but an active community that covered only the best in underground and independent music. Though the site has had ups and downs over the years, I firmly believed when I took over the reins from Sean last year that I could help SF live up to this ideal. It turns out I was both right and wrong. I believe that the site did continue to provide great coverage during my stewardship, however the communal aspect unfortunately became lost. I can attribute this to a number of factors, ranging from difficulties being able to find other enthusiastic regular contributors to some admittedly rather lax guidelines set down by myself in regards to deadlines and content management. I could complain for paragraphs about how I feel that others have repeatedly let me down, but I am simply not going to do that. I am as much responsible as anyone for the site’s successes and failures, if not more so.
To all the readers, as well as the bands, labels and PR folks that have helped support my endeavors with Sonic Frontiers since I started writing for the site back in 2007, I hope that you will follow me to the next phase of my work as an underground music/metal journalist. That phase is That’s How Kids Die(dot)com, a website dedicated strictly to underground heavy metal (and metal only) in all it’s wondrous guises. I have realized to truly pursue what I love, I must create a more single-minded vision that reflects my undying dedication to the genre of music that has shaped me as a writer, editor and creative mind for the last 15 plus years. You have my word that I will put the same amount of care, thoughtfulness and dedication into That’s How Kids Die that I have put into everything I have ever done, be it as a part of Sonic Frontiers, or various other outlets.
Additionally, I have been asked to contribute to the venerable Invisible Oranges. This is a great opportunity to learn from seasoned writers and further hone my craft, as well as to expose my writing to a wider audience.
Effective July 1st, all activity at Sonic Frontiers will cease. All appropriate recent content I have created for the site will be moved to That’s How Kids Die, the rest will be archived elsewhere. As of October, the site will shut down completely. I am happy that the site has gone out on the highest note possible, as I can’t think of a better final interview than my favorite metal band, Darkthrone.
Thank you for your continuing support.
-Josh Haun
