LONDON--Marillion has raised $150,000 (£100,000) to cover the production costs of its next album by asking fans to pre-order it. The cash was raised after the hard rock veterans emailed 30,000 fans and asked them to pay $24 (£16) in advance for the LP, which will be out in 2001.

The group explained that by raising the money in advance, they wouldn't have to repay a record company advance, which meant that they could own all the rights to their music. The five-piece said in a statement on its official website, "By selling our album straight to you, we become completely free to take the decisions which affect the future of the band and we can also remove the middle-men who stand between you--our listeners--and us. For the first time we'll OWN our own music. We'll be able to sign an international record deal with a major record company again, so the next album will be on sale in the shops upon release in 2001, but by retaining ownership of the music, we'll have freedom and power."

Fans who paid for albums before July 31 will also receive a special multimedia CD-Rom in addition to their album, which includes exclusive video clips and artwork. They will also be thanked in the album's liner notes.

The untitled album is tipped to be released in February. Marillion, which has sold over 14 million albums during its 22-year career, has signed a worldwide licensing deal with EMI for its twelfth LP.