Record Label Research

Considering the genre of the song we recorded, our research began with record labels which
associate with Hard Rock/Heavy Metal music and we came across three main companies.
The first was ‘Century Media’, which is an independent record label with offices in over 7
different countries across the globe. However this particular label specializes in Goth, Black and
Death Metal which are in fact ‘metal’ genres but in a way are completely different from the
music we featured in our video. Also, because it is independent and originates in Germany it
would be more liable to find a US/UK based label.
The second we came across was ‘Metal Blade’ records, apparently the world’s most prominent
independent heavy metal record label, so in a way is a 20 year old beast of a label. With over 90
different signed bands it seems the perfect label. However, when researching all the bands
involved such as Trigger the Bloodshed and Cannibal Corpse, we came to realise that these
bands were once again Death/Grindcore Metal bands and totally different from our style of this
genre.

We then finally came across ‘RoadRunner Records’, which coincidently came up with a UK
based website and is known as the premiere label for heavy metal and rock bands. When
looking at the bands that are signed we linked them to our influences and the match was like
no other. ‘Killswitch Engage’, ‘Lamb of God’, ‘Machine Head’ and ‘Slipknot’ were few of many
that were signed to this label. This was clearly the most appropriate record label.
Although it is a subsidiary company from ‘Warner Bros’ and is therefore not independent and is
‘American’, many bands from the UK are signed and even credited for their work within the
metal genre. Dragon Force and Iron Maiden are prime examples of this.
Starting in the early 1980’s, Roadrunner (or previously known as ‘Roadracer’) records handled
such releases from ‘‘Metallica’s’’ early releases, arguable metal’s most influential and talked
about band. And still after 20 years in the year 2000 this company managed to help both
‘Slipknot’ and ‘Nickelback’, two very well known bands, to go platinum and sell even multi-
platinum singles and albums.
They also run a facebook and myspace site with their own all star band made of different artists
already signed to the company so it’s easy to access from audience point of view and get
exclusive previews of our song etc.