1296-1300

Chapter 1296: A Moment of Triumph

After two consecutive years of turmoil due to societal events, the Oscars finally found a moment to breathe and returned to normalcy in 2004. The 76th Academy Awards concluded in spectacular fashion, leaving an indelible mark on history.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" emerged as the biggest winner, sweeping 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and a complete sweep of technical categories. This accomplishment tied it with "Ben-Hur" and "Titanic" as the most-awarded films in Oscar history.

Even more impressively, the film achieved a 100% win rate by securing awards in all 11 of its nominated categories, showcasing its unparalleled dominance on Oscar night.

Most importantly, "The Return of the King" broke new ground as the first fantasy film to win the Best Picture award, filling a long-standing gap in Oscar history.

The Lord of the Rings. The Lord of the Rings. The Lord of the Rings.

When the ceremony concluded, "The Return of the King" was undeniably the center of attention. Its sweeping victory captivated media and audiences alike, while New Line Cinema’s powerful campaign from late last year carried its momentum triumphantly through awards season.

But "The Return of the King" wasn’t the only highlight.

Since it didn’t receive any acting nominations, this year’s acting categories offered a contrasting narrative of fresh victories:

• Sean Penn, Best Actor: After winning the top honors at Europe’s "Big Three" film festivals, Penn finally clinched his first Oscar for his performance in Mystic River, following three previous nominations.

• Tim Robbins, Best Supporting Actor: Widely known for The Shawshank Redemption, Robbins claimed his first Oscar after a 15-year journey, thanks to his role in Mystic River.

• Charlize Theron, Best Actress: The South African actress, often dismissed as a "pretty face," silenced critics with her transformative performance in Monster, which swept her to victory during awards season.

• Renée Zellweger, Best Supporting Actress: After two consecutive Best Actress nominations for Bridget Jones's Diary and Chicago, Zellweger transitioned to the supporting category and won her first Oscar for Cold Mountain.

All four acting awards went to first-time winners, creating a striking contrast with the dominance of "The Return of the King" in other categories. This dichotomy sparked intense media buzz, offering dual focal points for discussion.

And that’s not all.

While "The Return of the King" secured 11 nominations and dominated nearly every category, it lacked representation in the acting categories and missed one key area:

Best Original Screenplay.

This mirrored Titanic, which also didn’t receive a screenplay nomination during its Oscar reign. Ultimately, at the 70th Academy Awards, Good Will Hunting won Best Original Screenplay, while L.A. Confidential claimed Best Adapted Screenplay.

This year, "The Return of the King" took home Best Adapted Screenplay, leaving the question of Best Original Screenplay’s recipient in suspense.

The answer?

"Lost in Translation" by Sofia Coppola.

This film received widespread acclaim and skyrocketed both Scarlett Johansson and Sofia Coppola into the spotlight. Despite a modest campaign compared to "The Return of the King," it won the Best Original Screenplay award, standing out as a rare jewel on Oscar night.

Post-ceremony, the film garnered additional praise and emerged as one of the most remarkable achievements of the season. In some ways, "Lost in Translation" outshone the four acting winners, solidifying Sofia Coppola’s redemption from her much-criticized performance in The Godfather Part III.

As Hollywood often proves: anything is possible.

Meanwhile, the 76th Academy Awards achieved another milestone:

According to Nielsen ratings, 45 million viewers in North America tuned in to witness the historic sweep of "The Return of the King."

This marked the highest viewership since Titanic’s win at the 70th Oscars and signaled a triumphant rebound after two years of declining numbers.

Additionally, with record-breaking ad revenue—$1.5 million for every 30-second slot—the Oscars reaffirmed its status as one of North America’s most influential events, rivaled only by the Super Bowl.

From every perspective, this year’s Oscars were a resounding success.

The Academy, finally vindicated:

Despite pre-ceremony challenges, including competition from the Grammys and public scrutiny, the Oscars emerged stronger than ever. The Academy’s message was clear:

“We don’t need you, Anson.”

Even amid controversies, the Academy celebrated its best performance in seven years.

To Anson Wood, the Academy seemed to pose a rhetorical question:

"How about now, Anson? Are you impressed?"

This victory marked a moment of sweet triumph for the Academy, whose patience had finally paid off.

And what about Anson?

How would he respond to this undeniable success?

(Chapter End)

*Chapter 1297: The Dawn of a New Era*

*Anson Wood*: "Sorry, I didn’t watch this year’s awards ceremony. But I heard it was a great success, a truly splendid event. Congratulations to all the winners."

Journalists: …

Academy: …

So, did Anson just slap the Academy in the face?

Calm, composed, and gracefully indifferent, Anson’s demeanor spoke volumes: I don’t care.

On one side, the Academy had been scheming revenge against Anson, flaunting their efforts like a peacock displaying its feathers. Their goal? To catch Anson’s attention, make him regret his decisions, make him frustrated, and remind him of his supposed insignificance.

On the other side, Anson couldn’t care less. He didn’t even bother watching the awards ceremony.

So, who really won?

The Academy’s leadership found themselves choking on their frustration, their faces flushed with disbelief. Once again, they had been dealt a harsh blow by Anson—so subtly yet so decisively.

Whoever cares more, loses.

Petty, narrow-minded, and utterly undignified—that’s how people now viewed the Academy’s upper echelons.

What made matters worse? After Anson’s casual response, the media went quiet. No ridicule, no schadenfreude, not even any follow-up coverage.

The "Academy vs. Anson" narrative simply vanished.

A small group of online users noticed this unusual silence. They speculated: Had the Academy pressured the media to drop the subject? Had it become a forbidden topic, banned from discussion?

If that were true, the Academy had lost all semblance of dignity. No grace, no tolerance, and no strategic foresight.

*Academy:* "It wasn’t us! We didn’t do anything! We swear!"

For once, they were telling the truth. The Academy had not pressured the media. In fact, it was Eve who had asked the media to back off, deeming it unnecessary to further humiliate the Academy.

The media, realizing the situation’s gravity, also decided to let it go. Pursuing the matter might damage the Academy’s reputation further, but pushing too hard could provoke them—a risk not worth taking.

So, one by one, the outlets backed off, and the topic abruptly ended.

Yet, things weren’t so simple.

With the media suddenly silent, a sense of eerie calm took over. Online users began to sense something off. Baseless accusations against the Academy surfaced, and reporters, too, noticed the awkward tension. The silence transformed into sympathy—or perhaps fear—towards the Academy.

Ironically, the media’s retreat highlighted the Academy’s pathetic position.

Silence, then, became an attack in itself, delivering a final, fatal blow to the Academy’s image.

Journalists: "Wait, why did Eve tell us to back off? Was it really to de-escalate tensions, or…?"

The Academy now found itself in a no-win situation. Arguing back would worsen things, but staying silent wasn’t an option either. No matter what they did, it would be wrong.

Awkward.

The Academy could hardly believe it. The awards ceremony had been a resounding success. Anson was just a mere "pretty face," after all. So why did they feel like they’d lost?

…What was going on?

But that wasn’t the end of it. The nightmare continued.

*February 29th*—the day of the Oscars. It was also the day Warner Records and Apple dropped a bombshell on the North American music market.

First, Apple announced that the band August 31st’s Grammy performance of "Another Light" would be officially released on iTunes on February 29th.

Second, Warner Records announced that August 31st’s debut album "Midnight Summer" would be reissued in a Special Deluxe Edition on the same day.

*Academy:* "…Is this a publicity stunt?"

It had to be. After the Grammys, Apple and Warner Records seemed to be jumping on the Oscars bandwagon. What was their plan?

Warner Records responded, "Publicity stunt? Stop making baseless accusations."

They explained that August 31st chose February 29th for the release because it’s a unique leap-year day, just like the band’s name—a reference to the last day of summer. Releasing "Another Light" on this rare date symbolized its one-of-a-kind nature.

Besides, the Oscars are an awards ceremony. August 31st was simply releasing a single and a deluxe album—not hosting a concert. These were completely unrelated events. The Academy should stop imagining things and quit obsessing over Anson.

The Academy was at a loss for words. Were they being gaslighted?

But Warner Records didn’t care whether the Academy was upset. With Grammy and Oscar buzz dominating headlines, why not capitalize on the momentum? Marketing is marketing, after all.

Fans, however, didn’t care about any of this.

All they could think about was:

"Another Light" is finally here!

No need to wait two agonizing years like they had for "Wake Me Up." Soon, they’d be able to play the song on repeat.

And as for the "Midnight Summer" Special Deluxe Edition?

Typically, successful albums get re-released as deluxe or collector’s editions to boost sales and attract attention. Fans often complain about these money-grabbing tactics but still can’t resist buying the new versions.

Previously, "Midnight Summer" had a limited-edition vinyl release that earned widespread praise. Fans applauded Warner Records for not taking the "easy cash-grab" route. So when the Special Deluxe Edition was announced, they were stunned.

The internet erupted in outrage, accusing August 31st of being money-hungry sellouts.

"One song for $10?"

This became a running joke on online forums, spreading like wildfire.

Of course, some fans defended the band.

After their Grammy success, the album deserved a deluxe edition. Fans willing to pay for a collector’s item didn’t see a problem.

Plus, not everyone managed to snag the limited vinyl. For many, the deluxe edition was finally an opportunity to own something special.

"Midnight Summer" is worth it!

Regardless, the controversy brewed. Excitement, anxiety, criticism, and support intertwined. With Grammy and Oscar buzz fueling the fire, the "Midnight Summer" Special Deluxe Edition finally launched on February 29th.

Alongside it came "Another Light."

(Chapter End)

Chapter 1298: Exclusive Release

On February 29, 2004, a fascinating scene unfolded across North America—

On one side, the Oscars ceremony captured the nation’s attention. The event was bustling and grand, with all eyes fixed on it.

This year marked the first time in three years that the Oscars had been held without any external disruptions. It was also the first time the ceremony was moved up to late February, signaling impending changes in the film industry.

Undoubtedly, this was the focal point of all focus. Everyone was talking about whether The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which had dominated the nominations, could finally break the Academy's longstanding disregard for fantasy films.

No exceptions.

On the other side, the music market was abuzz with excitement, leading up to a momentous event involving the band August 31st.

Was it about the special deluxe edition of Summer Midnight?

Not quite. People weren’t really focused on the album. The real buzz was about the collaboration between August 31st and iTunes, signaling the beginning of a new era.

Since the turn of the millennium, digital music has been on the rise, gradually becoming the new way to enjoy music. This shift led to a decline in physical album sales.

The release of the special deluxe edition of Summer Midnight naturally didn’t carry the same allure as before. After all, the album had already been out for over a year, achieving an impressive five million copies sold. The market potential had largely been tapped. What people truly cared about was the new single, Another Light.

As a result, Another Light dominated the headlines.

In recent years, more and more digital tracks have been launched on various music platforms, including iTunes. When artists released new music, they had to consider digital downloads, as online piracy was eating into their profits.

You either keep up with the times or get left behind.

But this was the first time an artist or band partnered exclusively with a platform—not only granting exclusive rights but also officially releasing a single exclusively through digital downloads.

It was unprecedented.

The shock, confusion, and buzz spread far and wide.

Had other artists never thought of doing this before?

The answer was simple: they hadn’t.

The main reason was the industry environment. At the time, Billboard’s Hot 100 rankings didn’t include digital download sales in its calculations.

Of course, Billboard had its reasons. There were simply too many digital platforms—both legal and illegal—and they couldn’t officially track the data. Without a unified standard for digital downloads, Billboard couldn’t factor those sales into its rankings.

Still, Billboard was searching for solutions. They couldn’t ignore the rise of digital music. To maintain their credibility, they had to adapt to the times, but no clear path had emerged yet.

For now, Billboard didn’t count digital downloads in its rankings, influencing the choices of record labels.

Radio play and physical sales remained the primary metrics for Billboard’s Hot 100 rankings.

For this reason, both artists and record labels viewed digital releases as a way to minimize losses to piracy rather than as a primary strategy. Their main focus remained on physical albums, which were both traditional and a reliable way to secure rights and profits.

Additionally, physical sales were the proven way to achieve strong chart performance on Billboard.

Until now, that is, with the arrival of August 31st.

From the moment this band formed, they’ve always stood out. Every step they’ve taken has been remarkable, constantly bringing surprises.

Just as Apple had anticipated, iTunes instantly found itself in the spotlight, becoming the center of attention and attracting countless curious eyes.

So, what did this mean?

Did iTunes just become the official platform for legal digital downloads? Was iTunes emerging as the standout leader in a sea of digital music platforms?

At the moment, it was too early to say. Speculating about these things would be premature. However, one thing was certain: thanks to the buzz generated by Another Light at the Grammy Awards, when August 31st announced that the single would be exclusively available on iTunes, the market’s reaction was deafening.

The reason was simple—

Those who had complained, resisted, or even boycotted the special deluxe edition of Summer Midnight as a money-grab move were finally offered an alternative. Perhaps they weren’t even fans of August 31st and had no interest in buying a full album for just one song. Now, they had a solution.

Digital downloads—a single song for $0.99.

Affordable, straightforward, and convenient.

If you liked Another Light, you could download and listen to it on its own.

This essentially gave listeners a second option. Many claimed they wouldn’t be “foolish” enough to buy the deluxe album when they could just pay $0.99 for the single.

What they didn’t realize was that to download a single song, they might need to purchase an iPod, install iTunes, and potentially commit to using iPod as their music player. This hidden cost was much greater than buying the deluxe edition.

Or perhaps they were aware and didn’t care, using this as an excuse to upgrade their devices, put away their old Walkman, and embrace the new era of digital music players.

The buzz was everywhere—people, media, and industry insiders were all talking about it, curious to see how things would unfold.

At the time, there were dozens, if not hundreds, of digital music platforms on the market. The mix of legal and illegal options created complete chaos, with no platform rising above the rest to bring order.

Now, August 31st had chosen to partner exclusively with iTunes. Would the single’s sales break barriers and set a new standard, or would it get lost in the chaos of a fragmented industry and fade away?

What if Another Light flopped?

It wasn’t a lack of confidence in August 31st but rather the disarray of the digital music landscape. In a market where iTunes users might represent just a fraction of the audience, could an exclusive release tap into the band’s full potential, or was failure inevitable?

Against this backdrop, the release of Another Light sparked widespread discussion, standing tall even against the noise of the Oscars.

After all, the red carpet wasn’t rolling out just yet. A quick look at the music world didn’t hurt.

At 8:00 a.m., the Summer Midnight deluxe edition and the digital single Another Light were simultaneously released. North America held its breath as iTunes carried unprecedented hope and attention.

A single download button was poised to become the turning point of an era.

And indeed, it proved to be the beginning of something entirely new—

Opening the door to a whole new world.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 1299: Speeding Ahead

Tick-tock, tick-tock. The clock hands moved steadily as if counting down to a pivotal moment. Blair Miller sat quietly in front of her computer, her heart racing to the edge of stopping, palms drenched in sweat.

Blair's eyes were glued to the iTunes page. She refreshed it every three seconds, her body trembling uncontrollably with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

Her desktop's MSN group chat chimed with new messages.

“Blair, explain to me again—why is the download count so important? I thought MP3s didn’t count toward the Billboard singles chart data?”

Blair glanced at the screen—it was Karen.

It was obvious Karen couldn’t contain her excitement, already bubbling over again.

Before Blair could respond, Gloria beat her to it.

“It’s called digital downloads.”

“Karen, bottom line, we just need to trust Blair. She knows what we’re doing.”

Ever since their protest at Sony Columbia headquarters, this group of friends had become an informal fan club, working together to provide the strongest support for Anson.

Blair, thanks to her calm and strategic approach during the protest, had earned the group's trust and taken on the role of strategist. Gloria, on the other hand, was the organizer who kept everyone on the same page.

Today was no exception.

They had gathered early to await the release of *"Another Light"*.

Blair quickly typed on her keyboard.

“Because this is Anson’s plan. He’s trying to use this exclusive single release to streamline the chaotic digital music market and protect artists’ rights.”

“We need to give it our all, showing everyone Anson’s influence and proving that his partnership with iTunes can create synergy, delivering results greater than the sum of their parts. This will help pave the way for future developments.”

Although Blair couldn’t fully explain the intricate web of interests at play, she trusted Anson. With his intelligence, there was no way he didn’t understand the implications of an exclusive digital release. It wasn’t just about launching a single; there had to be a deeper purpose.

Their job was simple: support Anson wholeheartedly.

“Ugh, Blair, I still don’t understand what you’re saying. Anyway, we’re fully behind Anson, right?”

“Karen, we’re downloading ‘Another Light’ no matter what, so it makes no difference.”

“Exactly! By the way, I’m planning to buy the deluxe edition of the album later. Are you guys coming? I hope Warner Records goes all out and includes tons of photos of Anson. Take all my allowance, just take it!”

“I’m in! How could I miss it? I’ve always wondered why there wasn’t a deluxe edition before—did they think we didn’t deserve it? Finally, Warner Records gets it!”

“I have a feeling Anson’s deluxe edition won’t be just a money grab…”

“It’s time! It’s time!”

The moment the second hand hit the hour, Blair signaled the group.

At exactly 8:00 AM Central Time, the iTunes page refreshed—

The homepage turned pitch black, devoid of light. Every button and menu disappeared.

As the mouse hovered over the page, a tiny beam of light flickered at the center, spiraling counterclockwise, slowly illuminating the screen.

In the center appeared Anson’s face, close enough to feel personal. He extended his right hand toward the screen, seemingly breaking the fourth wall to interact with the viewer.

His sharp features, bright eyes, and relaxed brows were so vivid that a scream erupted involuntarily.

“Ahhh!”

Instinctively, Blair reached out her hand to meet his, trying to break the screen and connect with Anson.

Only when her hand was about to touch the screen did she realize—it was The Creation of Adam, the masterpiece from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. At this moment, it was as if she and Anson were recreating the iconic moment.

Her heart pounded as if it would burst.

Unexpectedly, the image on the screen began to disintegrate. From Anson’s fingertips, his hand, arm, and face turned into dust, slowly dissolving into light.

Finally, the screen displayed a single lyric:

*“Yes, I care.”*

Beneath it, the words “Another Light” appeared as if emerging from beneath the surface.

At the center of it all was the download link.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Blair felt her heart racing, her blood surging. Even though she had been prepared for something incredible, the iTunes welcome page’s design exceeded her wildest expectations.

Click.

She hit the “Buy” button, and the speakers filled the room with the song’s clear, moving strings. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to be immersed in the moment.

“Done downloading. What’s next?”

“Blair? Blair!”

Karen’s complete lack of romantic sensibility shattered the mood as MSN notifications chimed relentlessly. Blair opened her eyes reluctantly.

“Next? We’re heading to the record store to buy the physical album.”

Taking a deep breath, Blair grabbed her coat and rushed out of the room.

Just as she reached the door, she doubled back to grab her iPod. Plugging in her earbuds, she hit play, the music lifting her spirits as she dashed out the door.

This was just the tip of the iceberg. Across North America, the excitement was spreading like wildfire.

Even radio stations joined in, hyping things up by downloading the track live on air and playing it immediately for their listeners. It was all part of Warner Records’ promotional strategy.

“Listeners, the song ‘Another Light,’ performed by August 31st at the Grammy Awards, is finally available! We can now enjoy the studio version and compare it to the live performance. This is an exciting moment—let’s see if August 31st’s music can brighten your morning!”

In the digital age, there’s often a strange sense of detachment—

Events happen, but they feel unreal, intangible.

Spending money, for example, feels different when you can’t see the cash leaving your wallet.

The same goes for downloading music. Clicking “Buy” feels fleeting and ephemeral, unlike holding a physical CD.

Yet, amidst the calm, an explosive thunderclap shattered the silence—

Boom!

iTunes announced: “Another Light’s digital downloads have surpassed 500,000!”

Boom-boom-boom!

North America erupted in astonishment.

Half a million downloads—what did that mean?

In 2004, without a definitive platform for accurate metrics, there were no authoritative figures to reference. With rampant piracy, tracking sales was even more challenging. However, industry insiders agreed: a song with over one million downloads was a major hit—a milestone every artist dreamed of reaching.

And now?

“Another Light” had been online for less than four hours and already surpassed 500,000 downloads.

Unbelievable! Astounding!

And it didn’t stop there. The numbers skyrocketed toward the million mark, a breathtaking feat that left everyone speechless.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 1300: The So-Called Money Grab*

Stunned!

Despite the ever-increasing anticipation and the industry's recognition of the powerful collaboration between iTunes and the August 31st band, which was expected to be a major event, no one could have predicted the true scale of success. When the download numbers broke 500,000 in just four hours, the entire North American music industry was left speechless, with jaws on the floor.

However...

Unbelievably, this was just the beginning!

Wait, what happened? Was there something special during this period?

The answer lies in the "Midsummer Midnight" special deluxe edition physical album.

While the media's focus was mainly on iTunes and digital sources, the physical album, distributed by Warner Records, was also successfully released.

Compared to the buzz around “Another Ray of Light,” the physical album was initially downplayed, being tagged as a “money grab.” A large group of fake fans shouted their refusal to be fooled, attempting to boycott the special deluxe edition.

Yet, despite these efforts, the crowds pouring into record stores were unstoppable.

First, because many listeners, who had discovered the treasure of the band during the Grammy Awards, hadn’t yet purchased the "Midsummer Midnight" album, and thus were happy to buy the special deluxe edition.

Second, die-hard fans eagerly awaited the deluxe version because, by convention, these editions often hid surprises like special posters, additional tracks, and other extras.

These fans rushed into record stores as soon as possible.

And then, the surprise came—

True to their unconventional style, the August 31st band delivered a stunning surprise with the special deluxe edition, overturning all expectations.

The album, on top of the original version, included five new hidden tracks!

Five! A full five!

What was originally a ten-track album now had five more tracks, making the "Midsummer Midnight" special deluxe edition practically a brand-new album and offering an entirely new musical feast.

Everyone was left in shock—

Who was it that said “Another Ray of Light” would sell for just ten dollars? Come forward now!

Look at the August 31st band’s sincerity! Look at their attitude! Look at their spirit!

What money grab?

Haha, the August 31st band completely rejects such commercial actions. They only care about the music, as demonstrated by their performance at the Grammy Awards. Isn’t that enough? Those who doubted, with their dark and evil thoughts, are only reflecting the ugliness and distortion within themselves.

Now, look at the reality before us. They are so insignificant, so humble, so unworthy in comparison to the August 31st band.

On the back cover of the album, it was crystal clear. In addition to the original five tracks, there were:

- “If I Leave, I Will Go (If-I-Go, I’m-Going)”

- “Monster”

- “Satellite”

- “1000X”

- “Another Ray of Light”

Five brand-new tracks.

Fans who had closely followed the August 31st band's European street tours quickly noticed that none of these tracks had been performed anywhere before. They were all brand-new creations.

Isn’t this a pleasant surprise? Unexpected, yet thrilling.

Now, attention was no longer solely on “Another Ray of Light,” and expectations were through the roof.

At this moment, people finally realized the August 31st band's intentions.

If their interest in the band was purely due to the Grammy Awards, then buying “Another Ray of Light” on iTunes for 99 cents would have sufficed to enjoy the music.

If their interest was sparked by the Grammy Awards and they wanted to explore the band further, then purchasing the special deluxe edition would allow them to experience the transformation of the August 31st band before and after the ceremony.

The band was generous and open-hearted, offering a "Welcome to My Musical World" vibe, showing a completely unique stance.

Most importantly, when the first batch of fans bought the physical album, they were shocked to discover—

The inner pages contain nothing particularly special.

Generally speaking, deluxe or special edition albums tend to include additional content such as a small photo book, special lyric cards, unique gifts, large posters, and even some albums include merchandise.

In fact, this is also the "merchandise" that countless fans eagerly await. In the years around the turn of the millennium, teenagers loved posting movie posters or album covers in their bedrooms as a way to pay homage to their idols. What fans desperately crave now is exactly this kind of item.

Indeed, everyone loves the music of the band August 31st, but who could possibly refuse Anson?

After movie posters and magazine pages, now fans can finally collect Anson's posters through the album's special edition.

However, fans were disappointed —

The deluxe edition album did not include a large number of odd and quirky merchandise items to boost sales. The malicious rumors and speculations about this were all proven to be wrong. In other words, the band still intends to rely on music to communicate and engage, with the five new tracks being the true highlight.

Of course, haters will always be haters. No matter what happens, they will continue to express their dislike and hatred. If the band August 31st tried to boost sales with Anson's good looks, they would criticize the band for being all style and no substance. Now that Warner Records has abandoned such tactics, they complain that the record label is being stingy and unwilling to include extra merchandise with the deluxe edition.

In the end, haters are just haters, living forever in their distorted world.

Please... Collect... 6Ⅰ9ⅠBookⅠ (Six\\\Nine\\\Book\\\Bar!)

For the hardcore fans, though disappointed, it wasn't all in vain.

Because of this, the poster randomly included in the "Midsummer Midnight" deluxe edition has become a highly sought-after item among fans —

One for each person.

At least, the poster specially shot for the deluxe edition by the band received great praise!

There are five different posters: one group photo of the band, and individual photos of each of the four band members. Buying one album gives you a randomly included poster.

Undoubtedly, Anson's version of the poster is the best-seller.

This poster, which is the opening image on iTunes, features a backlit composition reminiscent of "The Creation of Adam," with Anson locking eyes with the viewer.

Just three hours after the release of the deluxe edition, fans finally understood the situation, and the secondary market saw auction transactions —

A single poster skyrocketed to $800, and the price kept climbing.

Unbelievable!

This is the moment that tests the intensity of fans' passion.

Surprise after surprise, the release of the "Midsummer Midnight" deluxe edition shone brightly once again.

Initially, all attention was stolen by "One More Light," with many thinking the band August 31st was just trying to ride the wave of the Grammy Awards to make a quick profit. But no one expected the album to be so sincere, and the focus shifted back to iTunes.

If artists are this skilled at making money, then music lovers will naturally welcome them with open arms.

Perhaps now, the only lifeline the haters can cling to is:

Do all five songs match the quality of "One More Light"? Or are they just filler?

Note 1: If I Go, I'm Going — Gregory Alan Isakov

Monster — Starset

Satellite — Ben Abraham

1000X — Jarryd James

One More Light — Linkin Park

(End of chapter)