Archive | Label Moves
Unearth has been shaking things up recently. Guitarist Ken Susi is in a (surprisingly good) pop-punk band, and now the metal heavyweights have left longtime label Metal Blade and joined new label eOne in North America. News of their new label home was hinted at back in April when their band name was displayed on eOne banners at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, and the word has just been made official. The band is also expanding their global appeal by utilizing different labels in different countries. The details are made clear in a quote from band vocalist Trevor Phipps:
“A new chapter has begun for Unearth as we have found a few new places to call home. By joining forces with eOne (North America), Century Media (Europe), Howling Bull (Japan) and 3Wise (Australia) we will have a more focused attack from some of the most well known and respected labels in the world. We know this new beginning of sorts will bring bigger and better things for Unearth and our fans and we couldn’t be more excited for the future of all things Unearth. We are currently in the studio recording some of the most aggressive, anthemic and energized metal we have ever written and we look forward to unleashing it to you all when it is finished. Expect to hear more about our new album, release dates and future world wide touring plans later this summer.”
The new material Phipps mentioned is due out sometime later in 2013, but for now, that is all the news that has been released regarding what will be their sixth full length album. Their last four LP’s were released through their former label Metal Blade. The split from Metal Blade seems to be an amicable one though, as stated by Phipps:
“We also want to take this opportunity to thank Metal Blade Records for being our label home for almost a decade. In that time we released four LP’s and a double DVD, circled the Globe playing Heavy Metal dozens of times and experienced some of the greatest moments of our collective lives. Metal Blade helped us along the path of our dream and we are eternally grateful. We start new label relationships today, but we will always consider ourselves part of the Metal Blade Records family.”
Unearth will be next appearing at the Grasspop Metal Meeting in Belgium on June 30th.
While working on album number eight, Darkest Hour has gone through lineup changes and been touring with Killswitch Engage. And as it turns out, they also found a new label home in Sumerian Records during that time as well. Darkest Hour announced today that they’ve signed a new worldwide deal with Sumerian Records. The band had the following to say about the move:
“To say that Sumerian Records and label owner Ash Avildsen are big supporters of this band would be a huge understatement. We have been proud to call Ash our friend since our early years and this friendship has flourished greatly since then via our relationship with his sister company, The Pantheon Booking Agency.
When you start a band you dream that one day you can do what you love with great friends and family around you. Now it all seems to have come full circle. With the good people at Outerloop Management, Sumerian Records and the Pantheon Agency we finally feel right at home. Every aspect of the group is being handled by long-time trusted friends and is in reliable hands. This safe haven has given us the shelter we need to put together a life-changing new album.
Before we could see it coming, we’ve been thrust out of Oceanic Studios (where we’ve been working with producer Taylor Larson) and back out on the road. Please come see us live with Killswitch Engage if we’re coming to your city and it will also be our first tour with new drummer Travis Orbin. As soon as we get home we’ll be back to the hermit life in the studio where we can finish up this album. To our brother Ash, Sumerian and all of you out there here’s a huge cheers to 2014, a new Darkest Hour album and the future.”
Sumerian founder Ash Avildsen had the following to add about his latest signing:
“Darkest Hour are some of the best dudes I have ever met in music. They’re also one of the most underrated bands in metal and Sumerian is here to change that. Their influential debut album, The Mark Of The Judas, which never saw the real light of day due to their label at the time going under the day it came out, will finally get a proper release this fall, along with a new studio record. DC pride.”
It certainly makes sense that Darkest Hour would sign to Sumerian Records, as their management, Outerloop, works pretty closely with Sumerian. What makes the move surprising, though, is that we didn’t even realize that they had parted ways with eOne music (who released the band’s last album, The Human Romance). However, considering that eOne has some other big recent signings up their sleeves, we’re sure they’ll do just fine.
A video announcing Darkest Hour’s signing to Sumerian can be seen below. Read more »
While they continue to finalize its lineup, the reformed Nine Inch Nails now have a new label home. In fact, not only has NIN confirmed that they’ve signed to Columbia Records, but also that a new album will likely come out later this year.
This is somewhat of a surprising turn of events since Trent Reznor himself said in an interview last March that “there’s no new record scheduled at this point.” Admitting that he told a little white lie, Reznor had the following to say about the forthcoming album:
“I’ve been less than honest about what I’ve really been up to lately. For the last year I’ve been secretly working non-stop with Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder on a new, full-length Nine Inch Nails record, which I am happy to say is finished and frankly fucking great. This is the real impetus and motivation behind the decision to assemble a new band and tour again. My forays into film, HTDA and other projects really stimulated me creatively and I decided to focus that energy on taking Nine Inch Nails to a new place. Here we go!”
As for the new label home, some may be a tad surprise considering that Reznor had been intent on going the DIY route since NIN’s contract with Interscope expired in 2007. However, it shouldn’t be that surprising of a move since Reznor’s other band How To Destroy Angels is also signed to Columbia. While an official release date has yet to be confirmed, rumors suggest that we could hear a new NIN song as soon as next month.
The reformed Carcass has been teasing Surgical Steel, the group’s first album since 1996’s Swan Song, since the beginning of the year. And even last Monday the UK extreme metal icons were teasing their new label deals via Facebook. Now it’s official: Carcass’ new album will be released by Nuclear Blast worldwide (excluding Japan).
While an exact release date is still not known. Surgical Steel is expected to come out this coming fall. Carcass had the following to say about their new label home:
“We are pleased to announce that we have found the perfect home for Surgical Steel, the first Carcass album for, what, eighteen years?! We’ve inked a deal with Nuclear Blast for our new baby.
We have to thank Markus Staiger for his enthusiasm and belief in what he heard, but mostly his ability to take advantage of Jeff with a bad hangover when he visited the office in Stuttgart to let him be the first to hear the rough mixes. Nuclear Blast has managed to secure this release despite interest from all the main players in what remains of the metal ‘music industry.’
We’re also looking forward to working with our pals in the US Office, who have done favors for us behind the scenes over the last few years. On a personal note, Jeff looks forward to his and label manager Gerardo Martinez’ friendship to come crashing down in flames and tears in a few months. As long as we don’t mention ‘The War’ we think we’re going to do just fine with our new Teutonic home!”
Nuclear Blast owner and founder Markus Staiger had the following to add:
“One of my all-time favorite UK Metal Bands signed recently to Nuclear Blast – it feels like a dream come true. When Jeff Walker let me listen to the new record I knew immediately that Carcass made one of their best albums ever! It is a perfect mixture of Heartwork and Necroticism with a massive production to boot. The album is without a doubt just as perfect and lethal as surgical steel itself, and exactly what both old and new fans have waited for eagerly all of these years! I am very proud to say, Carcass – welcome to the Nuclear family. It is an honor to work with this legendary metal band.”
North American label manager Gerardo Martinez also added the following:
“First of all, apologies to the many that were wondering where that signing statement was the other day. Well, we didn’t anticipate the prenuptial agreement to take this long but here we are, and about to release to the world what many people said would never happen: a new Carcass record! All joking aside, this is a dream come true. All I can say is that even the biggest critic, Señor Walker himself included, will find this to be one of the best CARCASS albums. It already sounds like a classic and I can’t wait for people to hear it. ‘Time to die, die in pain’!!!”
Carcass had been a part of the Earache Records roster since the release of their debut album, 1989’s Reek Of Putrefaction. And considering that this is one of the most highly regarded extreme metal reunions of the year, this is a major cred grab for Nuclear Blast, whose Nuclear Blast Entertainment imprint has also been on a signing spree.
Fans of long-defunct desert stoner rock band Kyuss have a lot to listen to these days. Not only is the band’s original guitarist Josh Homme about to release another Queens of the Stone Age album, but Kyuss vocalist John Garcia and drummer Brant Bjork have returned as Vista Chino and announced a label deal, signing with Napalm Records. The band, which also includes guitarist Bruno Fevery, have also released a song, making it the first Kyuss music in 18 years. “Dargona Dragona” is available on the band’s Facebook page by liking them. It’s the first track from an album that will be released this fall on Napalm Records.
The song is an instant throwback to the raw bluesy dynamics of Kyuss, with a Sabbath-ian groove matched by Garcia’s soulful vocals. What’s not known is who played bass on the track and album. Original bassist Nick Oliveri had been playing live with the band before he had some troubles with the law. Vista Chino will be playing the Orion Music and More Festival on Sunday, June 9.
Here’s what John Garcia had to say about the signing:
“Kyuss Lives is now Vista Chino!…it feels great just to write that….and to say it out loud, feels even better. Now that our relationship with Napalm Records is official; it’s time to forget about the past year, move forward, and execute our original plan, which was to make kick ass music and tour the world!
It’s been known that Soulfly would soon begin work on a new album Soulfly IX with producer Terry Date. However, it wasn’t exactly officially known whether Max Cavalera and co. were still on Roadrunner Records. Today, though, it’s been confirmed that Soulfly have found a new label home with Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a recently launched division of Nuclear Blast headed by former Roadrunner Records’ senior VP of A&R Monte Conner.
Cavalera had the following to say about his new label home and reteaming with Conner:
“I’m really excited to be signing Soulfly to Nuclear Blast Records. On top of it, we’re going to be reunited with Monte Conner, who I’ve worked with for over 20 years at Roadrunner. Soulfly’s new album is going to be recorded in Seattle with the great producer Terry Date, and it’s going to come out later in the year through Nuclear Blast worldwide. Keep it metal!”
Conner had the following to add about his newest signing to Nuclear Blast:
“It feels so right to be reunited with Max Cavalera. He is the second artist I signed and we’ve made 17 albums together over the years, including several metal classics. Max’s voice remains just as unique and powerful as the day I met him and I felt the last Soulfly album, Enslaved, was his strongest work since the band’s gold-selling debut. I am honored to call him a friend and to continue to be a part of his mission.”
Soulfly’s signing to Nuclear Blast is interesting for two reasons:
-This means Cavalera is once again label mates with his estranged former bandmates in Sepultura, who will also be releasing a new album this year.
-As mentioned before, this signing reunites Soulfly with Conner. Thus, we’re essentially seeing a band leave Roadrunner and following Conner to his new gig. Whether this will be a continuing trend has yet to be seen.
As mentioned before, Nuclear Blast is expected to release Soulfly IX later this year.
Attendees to this past weekend’s New England Metal and Hardcore Festival got some inside news before a lot of other people did, courtesy of festival co-sponsor eOne. They had banners hanging up onstage on all three days of the festival listing some of their bands on eOne and Good Fight Entertainment. The above picture was taken on Friday for Ibanez’ Facebook page, and if you look carefully, you can see that Unearth is listed as on the label’s roster. The following day, another banner listed Fit For An Autopsy as on the label’s roster. We reached out to Fit For an Autopsy guitarist, producer Will Putney, who confirmed to us that their next record would be coming out on eOne via Good Fight Entertainment.
Unearth had been on Metal Blade since 2004′s The Oncoming Storm, having released four records on the label, the last being 2011′s Darkness in the Light. Fit For an Autopsy had been on Black Market Activities, which is distributed by none other than Metal Blade. We reached out to eOne’s publicity team for official confirmation, but haven’t’ heard back yet.
While there are two versions of Queensryche out there, many are looking more forward to the version that consists of original band members Scott Rockenfield, Eddie Jackson, and Michael Wilton, along with former Crimson Glory vocalist Todd La Torre. Now it looks like those fans will get their chance, as Billboard reports the band have signed a deal with Century Media Records, with an album due on June 11. And while original vocalist Geoff Tate has signed with Cleopatra Records to put out his own version of Queensryche, his second solo album, Kings and Thieves, was released last year on Century Media subsidiary label Inside Out. That makes Tate and the other Queensryche, who are bitterly at war with each other, semi-distantly-connected label mates.
Apparently, discussions between the band version of Queensryche and Century Media began in January, when CM North American president Don Robertson met with the band at the NAMM convention. “Century Media has been extremely enthusiastic ever since they came into the equation with us, and for what it’s worth it’s hard to find enthusiasm like that,” Rockenfield commented. “After 35 years I guess I’m gracious and honored that we have people that are that enthusiastic about the band, so we’re really happy about moving forward with them.” Robertson commented that many at the label have been longtime fans of the band, and were definitely interested when hearing they were putting out a new album.
However, that’s somewhat at odds with what Century Media A&R/product manager and Inside Out label manager Paul Gargano said when Tate’s solo album was released. He’d said in a statement that ”In my opinion, based on my experience in the industry, the best course of action to take at this point would be to stop any tours or recordings by anyone in the name of Queensryche until the litigation is resolved.” When asked about Gargano’s earlier statement, Robertson told Billboard “Our employees’ personal opinions in no way reflect the opinions of Century Media as a company. We expect there to be no conflict with any of our artists.” It should also be noted that Gargano won’t be product managing the Queensryche record.
It could shape up to be pretty interesting, especially when one of the Queensryches has to change their name, which won’t happen until after a trial, which is slated for November. The real winners are fans of the first four Queensryche albums. The court documents filed suggest that Tate prevented the band from writing heavier material that fans wanted to hear. We’ll find out just how heavy on June 11.
While it definitely went through some growing pains last year, Roadrunner Records appears to be going through a renaissance. Not only are they signing bands like Kvelertak and The Devil Wears Prada, they’ve also resuscitated their long-dormant street team, “Road Crew.” Starting with the recent Gojira and Stone Sour tours, the Road Crew has been helping the label promote their tour dates and current releases nationwide.
Interested in joining the Road Crew? The label is now seeking some quality reps. You’ll get tickets to shows and get to work with bands on Roadrunner’s roster, which include Heartist, Rush, Trivium, Killswitch Engage and others. The label’s looking for reps nationwide, so you don’t have to be at the epicenter of the music industry to get involved. If you want to be involved in the music industry, the Road Crew could be a solid way to start. Head over to roadrunnerroadcrew.com for more info and to enlist.
After a pair of albums on Ferret Music, The Devil Wears Prada have signed with Roadrunner Records. Their fifth full-length album will be released this fall on the label, and will be executive-produced by Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewisz. ”We’ve put so much time into the new songs already, and we’re really happy where things are sitting,” vocalist Mike Hranica says. “I think with Roadrunner in the picture, it’s only more encouraging as far as compiling a record that we can be proud of and a record that exists well as Dead Throne‘s successor.”
The move makes sense for everyone. With Ferret fully absorbed by the Warner Music Group even before the last album, both Roadrunner and Fueled by Ramen had some involvement with 2010′s Dead Throne after it was released. And with Roadrunner looking to maintain their identity as a metal label, signing a commercially viable band who’s last album debuted in the top ten is a nice counterbalance to signing “cred” bands like Kvelertak that won’t debut anywhere near the top ten.
Unearth has been shaking things up recently. Guitarist Ken Susi is in a (surprisingly good) pop-punk band, and now the metal heavyweights have left longtime label Metal Blade and joined new label eOne in North America. News of their new label home was hinted at back in April when their band name was displayed on eOne banners at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, and the word has just been made official. The band is also expanding their global appeal by utilizing different labels in different countries. The details are made clear in a quote from band vocalist Trevor Phipps:
Posted by Benjamin Friedman on Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Label Moves, Updates