Here Today... Gone To Hell!

http://theoriginalvangoghsearanthology.com/2014/07/14/an-interview-with-guitarist-richard-fortus/

What other projects are you working on at the moment?
 I?m hoping to finish up the next Guns n Roses album soon and to get back out with those guys.


Why wasn't there a follow up question "Do you have any plans this year?"....like comeon interviewer guy/girl.

Sometimes interviews are done by e-mail.
Other times the interviewer is so focused on the written questions that they just don't ask follow up questions...



/jarmo

I'd say its a good sign the a new album is in the works since guys are talking about it !!

If you thought the last one was a big deal, wait until Guns N' Roses 30 Million Facebook Friends hear about this one!

Can't wait ...

You won't be waiting as long, as you did for Chinese.

I hope not but I just thought of this .... TSI was released in 93. Live Era was released in 99. 6 years later. Fast forward, CD was released in 08, appetite for democracy was released in 14...6 years later lol

The others have been saying this stuff for years.  What's it ever gotten us?

The game changer might be Axl talking about it for the first time in forever.  Without him onboard, these other guys are just talking to fill the time.

They are hyping it now  ;D

Late 2015 or early 2016 would be my guess.

Though I hope I'm wrong and it's sooner!

2016 would be pretty ridiculous, no?

Taken at their word, they are going to start looking at picking songs this year.  That should in no way take an entire year.

This isn't like announcing a movie you still have to write, cast, and shoot.  These songs are done, and have been.

 : ok:
Chinese was announced in September and dropped in November.
I think things look very, very good for 2014.

That would be pretty wild.

I hope so! Sounds like you might know a little something based off your posts, or you're just very optimistic  :peace:

Who confirmed song selection will take place this year?

Ali

Axl Rose, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson and Richard Fortus.

No, I don't believe so. Axl said nothing about that. The others may have alluded to that needing to be done, but I don't recall a definitive timeline for that action.

Ali

"We recorded a lot of things before Chinese was out. We've worked more on some of those things and we've written a few new things.
But basically, we have what I call kind of the second half of Chinese.
That's already recorded.
And then we have a remix album made of the songs from Chinese.
That's been done for a while, too.
But after Vegas, we're going to start looking very seriously at what we're doing in that regard."

-Axl Rose, Revolver interview, May 2014

Ah, semantics for the win.

Axl himself said after they get off the road, they will start looking at songs, which are already done.  I am saying that with your last show being 6.7.14...if you can't pick out which already completed songs go on the next album in less than 18 months....that's pretty ridiculous.

Perhaps you disagree.  Perhaps others will line-up with you and gladly assist making excuses.  Some people will get pissed on and convince themselves it raining, if they want to believe hard enough, I suppose.

But I'm not that guy

You could pick out the songs, decide on the order, decide on artwork and have everything done but that doesn't mean the album would be out the following week....

Also, we don't know the order of business here. Who's gonna present their plan first? After the last experience between record company and artist, maybe they don't want to repeat that exact experience again....




/jarmo

Nobody said the following week.  The point raised was 2016, which is 18 months away.

And where did 2016 come from?
Same applies to any date you suggest.... Since we don't know how the process/negotiations look like, assuming the album will be out pretty much as soon as the songs are selected is a bit naive.

The point is, maybe the biggest hurdle isn't selecting the songs.




/jarmo

2016 was suggested a few posts ago.  I responded to it.

Yeah, and I'm responding to it as well....

 :)


/jarmo

My personal opinion is that expecting 2014 is unrealistic, and accepting it might not be until 2016 is preposterous.

Now, I assume that cues up some misdirection that they don't care what I think, I'm not owed anything, some fucking "fan" I am...the whole bit.  But that's not a productive conversation.  And one we've had a million times.

Given Axl's own words, I think its very realistic and not at all unreasonable to think they could have a new album out one year from that interview, which would be May 2015.  I also find it very realistic and not at all unreasonable to say that if all of calendar year 2015 comes and goes with no progress on anything new, its time to accept this is simply a live touring band that plays old GNR songs for Axl to sing in concert.  No available evidence will be there to contradict that and its time we make our peace with it.

Which, by the way, I'm well prepared to do.  If that's the deal, that's the deal.  I'm not taking hostages here and demanding anything. 

I'm simply unwilling to not be realistic and feel every conversation about this needs to have a starting point that Axl Rose is blameless and he should be allowed maximum wiggle room at all times on his own words before anything is discussed.  That doesn't accomplish anything.  He is my favorite singer ever, but I am not beholden to him nor feel the need to take ridiculously laughable stances, lest dare utter a critical word. 

Not my deal.  Shouldn't be anyone's deal, in my view.

I don't know why you think 2014 is unrealistic. Personally I don't rule anything out because, wait for it, I don't know anything!

As far as I remember, people had ruled out 2008 in spring/summer of that year as well.... And look what happened.
They announced the album in October for a November release....


Personally I don't worry about it. It'll be out when everything's in place and I hope they don't have to go through the same experience they did in 2008...




/jarmo

Oh, it would be awesome.  I'd love it.

But I am a reasonable person.  They just got off the road.  Need some time to decompress.  And now there is talk there might be more shows in the fall/winter.  That will take some time and attention.

But being a reasonable person cuts both ways.  To go the rest of this year, and then all of next year and not get it out?  Well, its painfully obvious that's it not a priority and its time to stop thinking it ever will be.

I can absolutely cut slack when it makes sense.  What I will not do is cut slack, after slack, after slack...have nothing happen, and then say "hey, what are ya gonna do, right?"  All the more so if in that time there is no album, there is yet more touring of the same show.  You are telling me you aren't interested in moving forward.  That this is it.

I don't see anything about song selection specifically.  Sorry.

Ali

It's not semantics.  He never specifically mentioned working on song selection.  So, you're putting words in his mouth.

But, I agree, actually.  18 months is a reasonable time to complete song selection.

I just don't see it specifically mentioned by Axl in the Revolver interview.

Ali

So what is your solution?

Since it seems to be out of bounds to talk about...well, anything, it seems, why do we even bother?

No, what I'm doing is taking his own words that the songs are already recorded and have been.

If they weren't, I could see how this might still take some time.  But if the work is already done, we are talking picking which bunch, no? 

I never said it is out of bounds to talk about.  I just don't agree with the interpretations of his statements in the Revolver interview.

Ali

I agree that seems like one of the next logical steps.  But, there could be other issues that are more pressing, like communications with the label, that could take precedence over song selection.  And what does "already recorded" mean?  Basic tracks?  Have all lead instrumentation tracks been recorded?  All lead and backing vocals?

So, given that he didn't specifically say that, I'm leery of putting words in his mouth.

Ali

Ahem...

23.11.15 anyone?  :drool:

I'm not sure what you're getting at.  He never mentioned anything about song selection.  Recording being complete could mean basic tracks, it could mean all recording is done.  It certainly has nothing to do with song selection.  That's a separate process.

Ali

Done means done.
Why would it mean anything else Ali?
Why are you suggesting that done means not done?

He said recorded. Dizzy also said, "I think a lot of it is either finished or close to being finished." So, I think it's fair to say there is some difference in perspective on the matter.

Ali

He said "done" -- it's right up there in bold text.  ::)

There are 2 albums done -- the second half of Chinese and the remix album.
Why do you insist on twisting Axl's words around?

To offer him cover.  The same reason a lot of people do it.

Yes.  Done means done.  That seems pretty clear.  Interpreting done as there?s still work to do doesn't make sense.  Axl (not Dizzy or DJ, but Axl himself, the only authoritative voice) has confirmed that the next album is done.  Stop trying to give him an out.

You could always fall back on the label holding things up, which may or may not be true.  Who knows?  Given the success of the AFD release (yes, I bought a copy) you?d think that the label understands there?s still a market for GnR music.  That sounds reasonable...or the industry could still be out ta get him.

If Axl says tracks are done, then it's great.


As I stated earlier. We don't know. But we can assume Axl doesn't want to have a similar experience that he had with Chinese again.
There might be some arm wrestling going on before you get to an agreement. We don't know.


Yes, there is a market for new GN'R music. Of course. We all know that. But this is where the mighty dollar comes into the picture. If a fan doesn't buy what's being released, (s)he's not helping. A lot of fans didn't buy the DVD/Blu-ray. Why is that? Because they can see it anyway?

Years ago you had to get the VHS if you wanted to watch a concert film. Now with the Internet, you can always say "I saw most of it for free and decided not to buy it since I'm not gonna watch it often anyway".
Same with records.

Sometimes it's a bit weird to relate. I can understand not having money and so on. Some of us were around when kids used to tape other kids' records so they could get a copy. It's somewhat ironic to read comments saying people wish GN'R would put out something, and then some of those same people still don't seem too keen to spend the money on it when they do....




/jarmo

False equivalence.

People want a new album.  That's not to say some don't also want a concert from 2 years ago, but they are not the same thing.

Similar to when people say they want a new album and you try to equate that to random touring dates on the far side of the world.  Not the same thing.

Which is how it looks.  Some feel the need to ride in on the white horse and act like they are Axl's guardian. 

I've long said its almost like there are people that think Axl monitors these boards and makes naughty and nice lists.  Or that there is some reward waiting for those that always back him regardless and make a laundry lists of excuses for him about everything.

Its odd to me.

There's nothing false about it.

Did you buy the Tokyo concert tapes? Did you buy this release?


I wasn't exactly talking about you, but it seems like you feel targeted. Whatever.
But you being here denying the fact that people have been asking for something new is kinda amusing. Wish there was this, wish there was that and so on.

Are you denying the fact that albums don't sell as much as they used to because some of the people who "need" new music aren't exactly keen on spending money on it?



/jarmo

I did.  Hardly ever watched them.

Do listen to my audio bootleg of that show fairly often though, even these days.  I think that's a real solid show.



I'm saying that's more misdirection from you that doesn't have anything to do with what is being discussed.

Its just another conversational re-direct to avoid having to talk about how ridiculous it is this band can't seem to get their shit together.

So it was fine to buy the Tokyo tapes even though you hardly ever watch them but not the latest release by the same band because you'd hardly ever watch it. Ok.... :)



We are discussing the market for GN'R releases. You are obviously not. You are having your own discussion about an album.
The poster I responded to brought up the sales of the Appetite For Democracy release as evidence of there being a market. Not me.

In other words, the recent Blu-ray/DVD does prove that there is a market, which we all know already, but it's obviously not an exact measurement of how big the market it.... As I pointed out, a bunch of fans chose not to buy certain releases from their favorite band. Even if they bought past concert video releases... You're one of those fans. No shame in that.





/jarmo

I'd have bought it if there was an audio version.  I just don't know when I'd sit and watch a concert video.  Its not like watching movie.

I still imagine I will get it for Christmas. 

With all due respect, I think you're the one twisting his words around.  When I asked, "Who confirmed song selection will take place this year?", you said Axl did.  He did no such thing. 

I don't take for granted that there is a possibility he may change his mind and want to do additional recording, be it lead vocals or instrumentation or something else.  I asked BBF eight years ago if he was going to be on Chinese Democracy and he said no because it was already recorded.  Clearly that didn't end up being the case.

Ali

Wrong again.

I'll copy and paste what I just posted as it is applicable here.

I don't take for granted that there is a possibility he may change his mind and want to do additional recording, be it lead vocals or instrumentation or something else.  I asked BBF eight years ago if he was going to be on Chinese Democracy and he said no because it was already recorded.  Clearly that didn't end up being the case.

Ali

Ali, none of that explains why you feel the need to put out a pump the breaks vibe over Axl's interview.

With so many people in the operation talking positively, including the big chief himself, it just seems an odd time to rain on the parade.

And let's face it, I ain't exactly Johnny Optimism as a rule.

It's not pumping the breaks on a positive vibe.  It's being more cautiously optimistic.  Plans can change, as evidenced by my BBF story.  That's why that story is relevant.  I was one told one thing face-to-face, with no hesitation, by a band member.  That later changed.  So, I think cautious optimism is the best approach.

Regardless, this all started because someone said Axl mentioned something about song selection taking place this year when he never actually mentioned that.  Even though I agree, that is one of the logical steps to take in getting an album out.

Ali

Actually Ali -- you were the one who brought up "song selection" here: http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?topic=65939.msg1369487#msg1369487
It's a bizarre straw man -- even for you.

I agree that albums don't sell as well as they used to...but that condition affects the entire industry, not just Guns n Roses.  The fact that albums don't sell as well as they used to doesn't preclude other bands from releasing albums.  But yet it's used by some here as a reason why GnR isn't releasing an album.

Times change...remember when music videos were a big deal?  (yes, I am showing my age).  Back in the day, the only way you heard songs were over the radio, MTV, or you bought the CD.  Now, there are many, many ways to listen to entire albums for a fraction of the cost, or sometimes for free.

That's just the way it is now, and I'm not aware of any other bands blaming the current state of affairs as the reason why they are not releasing new material.  The only place I see that being used as an excuse is here.

Who's saying GN'R doesn't release albums because album sales in general are down?

 ???


/jarmo

Then why bring up the notion of declining record sales at all?  I know it?s been bantered about here in the past as a reason why releasing a new album is not important?that it?s not a big deal if they don?t release an album because no one buys albums anymore.  It?s a convenient excuse as to why this current lineup, despite being the most stable lineup in the band?s history, has yet to release one song.

This gets back to the whole "are they a real band or a touring band" discussion, which has been beaten to death.  IMO, bands release music, and until this band does, they are always going to be viewed (by many) as just living off of the past.

You brought up the market for a GN'R release. Isn't the definition of that thing fans who buy releases from GN'R? So if I pointed out that the sales have gone down, it's stating a fact.

Nowhere did I claim this is a reason for not releasing anything. That's just silly.


How do you know if there's a market for something? By asking people?

As you pointed out, in the past you could measure a band's popularity by checking how many requests their video got on MTV or a single on radio. You could also see how many copies they sold in specific markets. Nowadays that's not necessarily the case anymore.

One way people can show everybody involved that there is indeed a market for a band they like, is by buying their music instead of listening for free....  : ok:





/jarmo

You're incorrect as well.

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?topic=65939.msg1369477#msg1369477

"Taken at their word, they are going to start looking at picking songs this year".

I then you asked, "Who confirmed song selection  will take place this year?"

You then replied "Axl Rose, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson and Richard Fortus."

By the way, song selection is another way of saying "picking songs".


Ali

I know you didn't say it...but it has been said here before that it's not a big deal that this lineup hasn't released anything because no one buys albums anymore.  I don't subscribe to that theory.

Regardless, Fortus talking about a new album is one thing...Axl speaking on the subject brings the matter to a whole other level.  When will it come out?  Who knows, but I do think, IMO, that it has shifted from if to when.  I'm not putting a deadline on them.  We know it exists, and one day hopefully we'll have a new album. 

I can sort of see where that "idea" might come from.
The same place where somebody could say it's no big deal there's no new music videos out because there's no MTV to play them.

Maybe a new release or a new music video doesn't have the same impact they had in the past, so maybe that's why it might be less of a "big deal" to some people.

Who knows....



/jarmo

I bought the Tokyo video back in the day. I watched it a lot back then since I had time and was in high school. This time I decided not to buy the Appetite for Democracy. I just don't have the time like I did back then to watch it. I think this is an issue for the majority of the GNR fan base - hard core or casual.  Much like Slash/Aerosmith, GNR's fan base has gotten older. You can't schedule a concert in the middle of the work week like how Slash & Aerosmith did for their Prudential concert (tickets are now on Groupon, which means they are having a hard time to sell). Ditto with GNR for releasing a DVD. Majority of their fan base are now parents and/or work long hours.

I really do think that just an audio version of the concert would have sold much better. I would have bought it. Better yet, a new album would rock out more than a DVD. ;) :hihi: Just saying.

I think that each band and music artist needs to focus on who is in their age range for their music and as a result what type of product they need to sell to make money and get their music out there.

Would not change a word.

Tremendous.

Nor should you.  Because its ridiculous.

Bands release stuff every week of every year.  From the indie newbie to the biggest of the big.  How are they doing it?  Because that's the job.  Artists write, record, and release music.

But we talk like its splitting the atom.  Or have these macro discussions about "the industry". 

Yet out of the entire industry, its only Guns N' Roses that are on to the state secret its "not 1991 anymore."  Everyone else, they keep putting out products, all without the knowledge that the business is not the same as it was over 20 years ago.  Bless their hearts.   But, blessed with that knowledge, GNR doesn't fall into that trap.  They show how they've adapted by doing....nothing.  Those clever bastards.

Look, its excuse making, plain and simple.  Why do we talk about these things?  Because it shifts blame.  And avoids the awful truth of talking about the reality that our favorite band is one poorly run operation.  One we follow like a now hapless sports team that won a title when we were kids, but has now drifted into near irrelevance due to consistent mismanagement and countless missed opportunities and overall inaction.

But we're fans until we die, so we aren't going anywhere.

Finally, and this is key...the answer to any of this is not "oh, so you know what goes on behind the scenes, smartguy??"  That's just more of the same of what I'm talking about.  Misdirection to avoid having to acknowledge the current state of affairs objectively.

Ok, you don't have time. Got it.

I get that most casual fans wouldn't buy it. Maybe they would if they stumbled across it and thought it looked cool, or if they were at the show.

Anyway. you mention hardcore fans. I think most people who post on fan sites dedicated to the band would be labeled as such by outsiders. Don't you think?
So when hardcore fans who spend many (working?) hours of the week on the Internet say they don't have time to watch a concert and therefore can't spend the money on it, it's interesting. :)

I hope somebody gets it for you for the holidays and you got a few hours to spare. It's a great package to have for all fans. :)


At least you don't need to rewind it once you're done.  :hihi:


I think if the hardcore fans got their way, there'd be a box set out and you wouldn't have time to listen to all of it in one sitting. :hihi:


/jarmo

I thought that the DVD was selling good?
Wasn't it #1 for 2 weeks in a row, and now still in the Top 3 after 4 weeks?

How is that interesting?  What does that even mean?

Interesting how?

It's probably interesting because most fans wanna check out new official releases. It's all on youtube, check out the thread for it, and a member with the name of a vodka brand has posted the link.

When it comes to a new album: the Gunners seems eager to get to this, and that's a solid
basis. That's so solid that it's gonna get over any obstacles. I bet on a new album before X-mas  : ok:

Like a clown?

It's interesting because you assume hardcore fans are the ones who still buy their favorite band's releases.
I guess times have changed to the point where the hardcore fans are sometimes as casual as the so called casual fans?

Not saying it's wrong. People "grow up". I get it, get different priorities in life etc etc.




/jarmo

"like a clown".  Hahahaha.  Nice.

I saw this more as a stopgap sort of release.  A tide over.

That remix album could have been the same thing, but it needed to come out before now, I think.

To me personally, this makes me think. It's not as easy as hardcore and casual fans. There's obviously casual hardcore fans as well... Posting on a fan forum doesn't necessarily make you hardcore in the sense that you're prepared to buy every release by your favorite band, but it does mean you're prepared to spend some of your time (possibly at work/school) to check out what's up with your favorite band.

It's pretty interesting.

Makes you wonder whether or not these same fans would be prepared to buy something like a remix collection or a re-issue of a previously released album. Personally I'd buy both.




/jarmo

I'm going to buy just about any audio release sight unseen.

But like a lot of things in life, timing is important.  A re-mix album of CD songs is an easier sell in say, 2010 than 2014.  As I said earlier, it would be seen as a tide over until the next album.

But, to wait 6 whole years (or more) and then have your first offering be simply re-mixes of songs you recorded as many as 12 years ago?  You'd have to be prepared that people are going to roll their eyes at best, and tear you apart at worst.  I think they've missed their window on the re-mix thing, unless its a supplement or bonus disc with an honest to god new album.

D-GenerationX, I agree that the re-mix thing would be best marketed as a supplement or bonus disc/download...or, as a complimentary gift to concert-goers.

If I'm GNR, I'd just set up the next album with a conditional payment system.
Ya want the new album?  Put yer money down.  A limited # are randomly signed by the band and all who put their order in have an equal shot at acquiring the signed copies...kinda like Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket. 
Once we reach x million orders, voila, release time!
 8)

Easier to sell to who?

Bands put out unreleased mixes from years ago all the time. Or they just remix a previously released track to put out a new mix for a compilation. Same thing. It's an unreleased version of an previously released track.

What's the big deal when the original was released? Or when a previously unreleased song was recorded if you just bought the album and you never heard the song...





/jarmo

Jarmo- do you think in your opinion that it would be a safe bet that we'd see the remix album before Chinese part 2?

Do you think that we might see a reissue of Chinese with correct booklet instead of a remix album? (Or both?)

A lot of fans didn't buy the DVD/Blu-ray. Why is that? Because they can watch it anyway.

I bought the Tokyo video back in the day. I watched it a lot back then since I had time and was in high school. This time I decided not to buy the Appetite for Democracy. I just don't have the time like I did back then to watch it.


Two great points..I have my fix of live footage from YouTube. Not just from that show but from others as well...In this case Youtube helps and hurts a band. It keeps them relevant to the fans,but hurts the sale of a product.
I also bought the UYI VHS (later on DVD) when life was "less complicated". Now with a family, job etc I don't have the time to thou roughly enjoy. Nearly 3 hour DVD. I love movies, yet haven't even bought a blue-ray. Looking forward to an audio release that I can enjoy on the go.

I wonder if this organization does any market research at all...?

A quick perusal of the dozens of GNR forums including their official ones on Facebook, backplane, ParadiseCity.com and here will tell you that fans are clamoring for product "A," and instead, they are offered product "B."  :peace:

When Slash came out with his "Live in Stoke", I only bought the album on iTunes. I didn't get the DVD. The hardcore fans will always be hardcore fans. It's just that priorities in your own life comes first especially when you are older. If Guns came out with an audio version of this, I would have bought it. Whoever did the marketing just didn't do a good job of assessing the fan base and which product would sell.  I keep hearing this saying and I believe it's true in business: Know your audience and customers.

I really have no idea.

On one hand it would make sense to release the remixes before something completely new. On the other hands, everybody knows there's a bigger demand for the new studio album.


No idea how the remixes will be released. There's all kinds of interesting ways you could do that. As a companion bonus disc on a proper Chinese Democracy re-release, as a vinyl only (without distortion) set, EPs or packs of remixes....




/jarmo

You're right about the greater demand for Chinese part 2, even though id love to hear the remixes.

For me, I'd love to see Guns concentrate their efforts on cd 2 and perhaps release the remixes as a digital option with the release of that album. Perhaps there could be a code inside the booklet of Chinese part 2 where you insert it online and pay a fee to get high quality downloads of the remixes plus the correct, Axl envisioned artwork that SHOULD have been released with Chinese as Axl himself wanted.

A band with a notoriously dogshit reputation when it comes to not getting stuff out in a timely manner, you can't wait 6-7 years and come out with a re-mix album.

And speaking from a creative standpoint, can they themselves even get all that into it?  Re-mixes of old songs re-mixed by a guy long gone, of songs done by people long gone?  Let's make you Ron or make you DJ.  Are you all that charged up about that?

I understand the sentiment, but it's just not worth getting worked up over.

Remember what Axl said in his last interview... there are recordings from the Chinese era.. and a remix album. After Vegas they were going to look serious into what to do with this material. I would think that means that there is a ball rolling... Ron may not have lots to do with that material because Buckets work, Richards work etc is what Axl wants to use... and the "look into what to do with that" should be a very good sign that new material is prepared for release.. in some form...

Maybe they will time this next album to coincide with the new record from AC/DC?

hoping and wishing are great things, so are positive thoughts. but deep in your inside you should know, we all know, that ACDC's new full length album will officially be available many months before a new Axl album. time will tell and most likely, unfortunately, prove that.

Why don't you stop spending time on a forum dedicated to a band that you obviously have deep-seated issues with and don't meet your unrealistic set of entitled expectatons.

Some of us are more than able to sort out needs from our wants, and are truly happy that things are rolling per The Revolver interview.
I'll be satisfied and glad to get the next album, whatever it contains, whether it be remixes or new songs. I'm not delusional and entertain no thoughts about how a band somehow owes me or should follow fan's suggestions simply because they bought an album or attended a few shows.

I for one, surely won't miss the passive-aggressive and thinly disguised slams at GNR from a few select posters here.

New AC/DC album is due to be released on 2 December 2014. Can't wait for a new tour.

So do you just saved canned rants like this one as a word document to be called up whenever?  Because I feel like I've read this at least 3-4 times now.

Did notice, as per usual, you don't even address the question about how you think DJ and Ron would feel about all this.  But, in all fairness, I also know why you didn't.

I decided not to participate in your fantasy scenario of "lets make you Ron or DJ" but that in no way negates any of the points I made. ;)

Of course you did.  Because the answer is inconvenient.