Articles by "EMP Label Group"
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Legendary LA hard rockers ODIN have signed with the EMP LABEL GROUP, who will reissue much of their classic catalog including upcoming reissues of "DON’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER" and "FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE". The limited edition (300 Pcs) vinyl reissue of "DON’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER", in stores April 20th 2018 with a limited quantity available for pre-order now from empmerch.com, includes remastered versions of the original 1985 recording, in an astonishingly faithful recreation of the original LP, reworked by artist Melody Myers.

Says EMP LABEL GROUP’S Thom Hazaert, "We really wanted the reissue of "DON’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER" to be painfully faithful to the original release, but with a few modern upgrades, and we pored over every detail. As a HUGE fan of Odin, I wanted to create a really special reissue that fans could celebrate, and would really be a nod to this seminal, criminally overlooked release."

Says vocalist Randy "O" Roberg, "I was introduced to Thom from EMP by my cousin, Jerry Dixon from Warrant. We started talking about my solo release and some things I was working on, and he told me what a huge Odin fan he was, and we started discussing ideas for reissuing some of the Odin catalog. We’re all really excited about the reissues and the way they are coming out. It’s awesome to be able to really bring these releases to light in a way that the fans are excited about."
10:50 PM
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Combat Records is thrilled to announce the signing of Bay Area Metal staples HATCHET, who will release their new album "DYING TO EXIST" on June 22, 2018 via COMBAT RECORDS/EMP LABEL GROUP.

Fueled by the twin guitar attack of vocalist Julz Ramos and Clayton Cagle, bassist Devin Reiche, and drummer Ben Smith, Hatchet have built a name and reputation for themselves carrying the torch of classic Bay Area Metal, through three prior full-length releases of high-energy, intense Thrash, (including their 2008 METAL BLADE debut AWAITING EVIL, 2013’s DAWN OF THE END, and their latest THE END RECORDS’ offering, 2015’s FEAR BEYOND LUNACY) and countless tours supporting names like Metal Church, Flotsam and Jetsam, Soilwork, Warbringer, Act of Defiance, Exmortus, Doyle, DRI and more. The follow-up to 2015’s FEAR BEYOND LUNACY, DYING TO EXIST promises to be the band’s heaviest and most focused release to date.

Says vocalist/guitarist Julz Ramos, "The album itself is the fastest and most creative material to date, with all 4 members contributing our writing efforts throughout the record. This is the most we've sounded like a band collectively, and it’s definitely for the better!"

He adds, "We couldn’t be happier to have found a home on COMBAT! The label is obviously a huge staple in Thrash and extreme Metal, with some of the most infamous bands in close connection to or directly under Combat at some point. Its true history and significance is beyond my years and first-hand understanding, however from what I do know and have seen assures me this is a good home for our new album!"

Says Megadeth bassist, and Combat head David Ellefson, "Hatchet is a great, young band who definitely fit the bill for Combat. Aggressive modern Thrash Metal, with an old-school intensity. I’ve been a fan of these guys for a while now, and we’re extremely proud to add them to the COMBAT roster."

COMBAT was relaunched in 2017 by Ellefson, and partner Thom Hazaert, with all releases manufactured and distributed by Ellefson’s EMP LABEL GROUP, via AMPED in North America, and SPV in Europe.
11:32 AM
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Canadian Metal favorites Killer Dwarfs have signed to EMP Label Group, who are set to release the band’s long awaited live set "Live, No Guff", in stores April 13th. 2018 will also see EMP re-issues of the band’s recent catalog, including the independently released "Start@One", the band’s previously unreleased studio album from 1993, and "Wireless", the solo acoustic release from vocalist Russ Dwarf. EMP will also release a 2019 new studio album from Killer Dwarfs, and a new studio album from Russ Dwarf.

Recorded live in November 2016 in various exotic Northern locales including Ottawa, Vancouver, Toronto, and Whitehorse Yukon, Canada, "Live No Guff", is a collection of the Dwarfs at their vertically challenged finest, powering through blistering performances of 3 decades of classic tracks including "Stand Tall", "Keep The Spirit Alive", "Dirty Weapons", "Heavy Mental Breakdown", and more. The cover artwork of the album was done by Chris “Dwarf” Hale.

TRACKLISTING:

1. Comin’ Through
2. Hard Luck Town
3. Tell Me Please
4. Driftin’ Back |
5. Union of Pride
6. Doesn’t Matter
7. Can’t Lose
8. Start @ One
9. Burn It Down
10. Stand Tall
11. Keep The Spirit Alive
12. Dirty Weapons
13. Heavy Mental Breakdown

EMP’s Thom Hazaert says, “It came down to a lengthy bidding war between EMP, Monster Records Musik, and Conglomerate Records, and thankfully we came out on top. So we opened Russ’ crate, I held him down while David cut his finger open, and the deal was done. Now we own these guys for the rest of their natural born lives, or at least until the end of 2022. Whichever comes first.”

He adds, “But really no. I was talking to uber Canadian journalist Mitch Lafon one day, and we got to talking about KILLER DWARFS, and he knew them (of course, he’s from Canada), and I asked about their current whereabouts. He put me in touch with Russ and the rest is history. I personally love the Dwarfs and think they were one of the great underrated Metal bands of the 80’s, and they are honestly still just as awesome today. We are super excited to own their asses for the next decade. JK. Now, back in the crate.”

Check out a "Live No Guff" teaser video at the following location: https://youtu.be/CG44Oty9Rl8.
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EMP LABEL GROUP has announced the formation of EMP OUTLAW, a Southern Rock/Outlaw Country Imprint, set to reissue METAL COWBOY, the 2014 independent release from legendary Steeler/Keel vocalist Ron Keel, in stores 3/2/18. 2018 will also see the studio debut from Ron Keel Band, the highly anticipated follow up to METAL COWBOY, entitled FIGHT LIKE A BAND.

After a storied career that began as lead vocalist for Steeler, which would also go on to include guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen, and selling millions of records under his eponymous KEEL with classic albums THE RIGHT TO ROCK and THE FINAL FRONTIER (both Produced by KISS’ Gene Simmons), Keel veered off into brave new territory with the decidedly Southern Rock/Outlaw Country feel of METAL COWBOY.

METAL COWBOY RELOADED features remixed and remastered versions of the tracks from the original independent release, featuring a star studded lineup of guest musicians including Frank Hannon (Tesla), Mike Vanderhule (Y&T), Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt/Quiet Riot), Travis Toy (Rascal Flatts) and more, including fan favorite tracks “Just Like Tennessee” and “What Would Skynyrd Do?”, plus the bonus track "Rock N Roll Hell" featuring Troy Lucketta (Tesla) on drums and Jeff Labar/Eric Brittingham from Cinderella on guitar and bass.

Originally released in 2014, METAL COWBOY was a bold new direction for Keel, pulling strongly from the playbook of Country and Southern Rock, while maintaining the powerful Rock edge and unmistakable powerhouse vocals Keel is known for. While Keel had some success in Country and Southern Rock after the dissolution of KEEL (who reunited in 2008), METAL COWBOY definitively established Keel’s musical identity, although its genesis had far deeper roots.

“We (KEEL) recorded a version of ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Outlaw’ for Penelope Spheeris for the DUDES Movie Soundtrack that also features Megadeth, W.A.S.P., Steve Vai, and Jane’s Addiction. It ended up being a great cult film and I’d love it even if I wasn’t in it. That really was the genesis of the Metal Cowboy – ‘Outlaw’ became my signature song, and ended up featured in the movie twice!”

After releasing METAL COWBOY and relocating to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Keel would go on to form RON KEEL BAND, with a new powerhouse band featuring the best players the Midwest has to offer. While sticking to the earthy Southern charms of METAL COWBOY, RKB showcases a new, rich musical fabric for Keel and his bandmates.

“I knew EMP was the perfect home for this project,” Ron says. “Knowing David (Ellefson) personally, their diverse artist roster, and the quality of their products and business model told me all I needed to know.”

Regarding the direction of the new project, Keel sees this RKB release as the first in a series. “I want each album to contain new original music, covers of some classics that I love, and brand-new versions of songs from throughout my career.” Already in the can: a medley of the KEEL hits “The Right To Rock,” “Because The Night,” “Tears Of Fire,” and “Somebody’s Waiting.”

Says EMP LABEL GROUP’s Thom Hazaert, “When someone like Ron Keel comes to you and says he wants to be on your label, it pretty much just happens, and that’s pretty much verbatim how it happened. One day me and David got an email from Ron saying he was a fan of EMP and he wanted to be on the label. So we created a label just FOR him. Bottom line, Ron is one of the most talented Rock vocalists of our generation, and a true gentleman outlaw, and we are honored to have him as part of the EMP family.”
10:52 AM
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Holiday themed Rock supergroup NORTHERN LIGHT ORCHESTRA has released the full track audio, with a video by Melody Myers, for the single “THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” from their new album STAR OF THE EAST, available now on digital outlets, and select retail via EMP LABEL GROUP. The album features new cover art from Mister-Sam Shearon (Rob Zombie, Clive Barker, Iron Maiden).

"THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS" features Mark Slaughter (vocals), Chuck Wright (Bass – Quiet Riot), Doug Aldrich (Lead Guitar – Whitesnake, Dio), Ken Mary (Drums – House of Lords, Alice Cooper) Steve Conley (Rhythm Guitar – Flotsam and Jetsam) and additional vocals by Laura Walsh.

STAR OF THE EAST, the fourth full length release from NLO, features an all-star cast featuring Mark Slaughter, Bruce Kulick (Kiss, Grand Funk Railroad), John Elefante (Kansas), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio, House of Lords), Kane Roberts (Alice Cooper), Kip Winger, Bill Leverty (Firehouse), Robin McAuley (MSG), Tony Franklin (The Firm, Jimmy Page, Blue Murder), Kendall Bechtel, Ken Mary (House of Lords, Alice Cooper), Steve Conley (Flotsam and Jetsam), and introducing Anna Hiltbrand and Laura Walsh!

Vocalists and musicians in the Northern Light Orchestra have included current and former members of bands such as Slaughter, Sly and the Family Stone, Alice Cooper, Survivor, Steely Dan, Firehouse, Megadeth, Sister Sledge, Quiet Riot, Vanilla Fudge, Winger, Guns N' Roses, Grand Funk Railroad, Kiss, The Beach Boys, House of Lords, Kansas, and Whitesnake. The artists who have performed with Northern Light Orchestra have collectively sold over 200 million albums worldwide.

In 2009, the orchestra performed in a one-hour live concert featuring many of the performers from the Spirit of Christmas album. The one-hour Christmas special was aired on broadcast and satellite television including JCTV, Cornerstone TV, Daystar Network, TCT, NRB Network, and many PBS affiliates.

NORTHERN LIGHT ORCHESTRA - "THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjGkAUZE_10.
9:02 AM
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David Ellefson of Megadeth, via his label EMP LABEL GROUP, has announced the relaunch of COMBAT RECORDS, the seminal Punk/Thrash label that started Megadeth’s career.

Most will remember Combat Records as one of the seminal thrash labels of the 1980s, their most prominent artist being, of course, Megadeth. Combat was also home to Helstar, Circle Jerks, Exodus, Nuclear Assault, and many of the most influential Metal and Punk bands of all time.

After a handful of ownership changes and attempted reboots, COMBAT went dormant in the mid-2000s, the catalog got absorbed by SONY, and the label itself ceased to exist. In 2016, David Ellefson, with his partner Thom Hazaert from EMP Label Group, did the due diligence to research and acquire the intellectual property for the COMBAT RECORDS brand, and bring it home to the EMP family.

With the utmost respect to the legacy of the past, COMBAT will relaunch in 2018 as an imprint of EMP LABEL GROUP, releasing not only new releases from classic Thrash and Metal artists, but as a home for new and up and coming artists as well. The first tentative COMBAT releases in 2018 will be the North American release of the upcoming studio album from legendary NWOBHM titans RAVEN, a limited edition classic B-sides release from HELSTAR, (both original COMBAT artists) and new releases from CT Hardcore/Metal staples Dead By Wednesday and 80’s progressive thrash favorites WRATH.

Says Ellefson, “Today is a really exciting day, as after over a year, it was finally announced the we will be relaunching the legendary Combat Records as a new label through EMP Label Group. So excited and honored to be able to revive such an iconic brand that was so instrumental to my history. Even though we signed to Capitol after Killing is my Business, Combat's logo was on all the MEGADETH releases through Countdown To Extinction, and it truly was/is one of the most iconic Metal labels of all time, even being home to some of the other artists who would end up on the EMP roster, like Helstar. The same independent spirit that drove COMBAT in those early days, is truly the same spirit that drives what we do with EMP, and we are honored to launch another amazing conduit to support new and established Metal artists, with great respect to the legacy of the past.

And to clarify, we do not own any rights to the COMBAT back catalog. That is owned, and controlled by SONY, and they have done a great job of curating it through other imprints. COMBAT RECORDS will solely focus on NEW releases under the COMBAT banner. As always, thank you for your support, and stay tuned for more details!”

COMBAT will be distributed through EMP LABEL GROUP, via AMPED DISTRIBUTION in North America, and SPV in Europe.
12:26 PM
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YOUR CHANCE TO DIE, who re-emerged into the death metal world with their 2013 Red Cord Records sophomore effort, The American Dream, are to release their third album, Ex Nihilo on April 21st via EMP LABEL GROUP’s extreme Metal imprint EMP UNDERGROUND. Recorded by Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me), mixed by Zack Ohren (Machine Head), and with album art by French digital artist / illustrator & graphic designer Pierre-Alain D., Ex Nihilo shows the band completely reinvented with deep symphonic atmospheres, inhuman precision and brutality, and a dual-female vocal onslaught.

2015/16 saw the addition of Som Pluijmers (ex-Cerebral Bore) on vocals, making her debut on Ex-Nihilo, alongside revered death metal vocalist Missi Avila. The dual-female front offers a tandem dose of sheer vocal brutality backed up by the soaring leads and rhythmic precision of Coca Avila and Ron Dalton on guitars. This package is rounded out by the inhuman speed and accuracy of drummer Thomas White.

In late 2016, the band began talking to Grammy-Award-winning (Megadeth bassist) David Ellefson and Thom Hazaert of EMP LABEL GROUP. Through these talks, the band found themselves inking a new deal with EMP for the new direction in 2017.

On signing to EMP, frontpersons Missi Avila and Som Pluijmers said, “YOUR CHANCE TO DIE is honored to be a part of the EMP label group family. We are very excited about our future with EMP, the new record that we have written, and are very thankful for this amazing team we now have behind us. We have worked very hard on our new songs…to become a new band…with different, new, music…and now a great label. We are very excited to have finally have a team that believes in us to release the new album.”

EMP’s A&R Director and Operations Manager Thom Hazaert says, “We are beyond thrilled to welcome YCTD into the EMP Family. They truly are bringing something new and interesting to the Extreme-Metal table, and we’re very excited that we’re able to partner with them to bring it to the World. Obviously, many in the extreme Metal World are familiar with Som’s amazing work in Cerebral Bore, and I am confident soon YCTD will be a household name in that regard as well.”

Since their Red Cord Records debut Suscitacio Somnus in 2011, and follow up, The American Dream in 2013, the band has toured with the likes of Origin, Wednesday 13, King Parrot, Arsonists Get all The Girls, Beyond Creation, and more. In late 2016, the band was direct support to Cryptopsy through Central America prior to hitting to the studio to record 'Ex Nihilo.' From that session, the band released the track 'Shadow and Flame' as part of the EMP Underground Sampler Vol. 1 in late 2016

Formed in 2015, EMP has quickly become one of the go-to labels in the Worlds of Metal and Rock. Distributed by AMPED in North America, and SPV in Europe, EMP boasts a diverse roster including Cage9, Doyle, Mark Slaughter, Broken Teeth, Ancient, Doll Skin, Another Lost Year, Helstar and more.

EMP has released the track “Omega” for streaming on SOUNDCLOUD at the following location: https://soundcloud.com/emplabelgroup/your-chance-to-die-omega
10:11 AM
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As announced on the Black Carpet at the The Epiphone Revolver Music Awards 12/13, former MISFITS guitarist DOYLE WOLFGANG VON FRANKENSTEIN has signed a label and distribution deal with EMP LABEL GROUP, who will not only release AS WE DIE, the upcoming sophomore LP from the legendary guitarist’s eponymous project DOYLE, but distribute all releases for the guitarist’s label MONSTERMAN RECORDS.

EMP, the label vessel of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, with operations headed up by former Corporate Punishment President/A&R/Marketing exec Thom Hazaert, home to artists including A Killer’s Confession, Motograter, Heaven Below (featuring Patrick Kennison of Lita Ford/Union Underground), Broken Teeth, Doll Skin, Helstar, Cage9, Green Death, Arise in Chaos, former Faith No More vocalist Chuck Mosley, and many more, started out with deep ties into the Doyle camp, according to EMP’s Hazaert.

“I worked really closely with Bruce (Miyaki – Doyle’s Manager) and MONSTERMAN on (Doyle’s 2013 release) Abominator, and I was actually the marketing director out of the gate on that release. Over the years, I’ve stayed involved, and we’re all good friends, and with David (Ellefson), who also has a great relationship with DOYLE, eventually as EMP came to fruition the conversation inevitably came up about seeing if there was a fit there. With everything else going on in all of our Worlds, it took a bit of a detour to finally get here, but I can’t express how excited we are to finally be able to put this all together. The legacy of someone like DOYLE, who is SUCH a legendary talent, is always such an amazing gift when it comes to putting out records, especially for a label like EMP, where we are all HUGE, genuine music fans. And there’s really not many out there who can hold a candle to DOYLE, in terms of talent OR legacy.”

EMP President David Ellefson agrees. “I’ve always loved Doyle and we’ve had a great relationship that goes back a long time. We’d started some talk last year when Doyle and Alissa (White-Gluz) came out to do some stuff with Metal Allegiance, and it just became an ongoing conversation over the past year. Now that it’s official, we’re extremely excited to be able to not only push out this new DOYLE record, which is amazing, but all the killer MONSTERMAN titles via EMP.”

Says Doyle, “When Dave came to me with an offer for our new CD As We Die it was a no brainer. He has been a good friend of mine for 20 + years, and has never done me wrong, and in this business that’s unheard of. We didn’t want to release it ourselves on Monster Man, we wanted a bigger push and EMP has a lot of exciting things happening in 2017 that will do that for us.”

DOYLE the current project of Von Frankenstein, with CANCERSLUG vocalist Alex “Wolfman” Story, and a current lineup rounded out by bassist Brandon Strate and drummer Brandon Pertzborn, continues the lineage of Doyle’s former projects, pairing crushing metal riffs with ferocious Punk Rock swagger and the theatrical intensity one would expect from one of the reigning kings, and erstwhile creators, of Horror-Core.

In addition to the upcoming sophomore release from DOYLE, EMP/MONSTERMAN will release several limited edition vinyl configurations, as well as a CD reissue of DOYLE’s Critically-acclaimed ABOMINATOR, the upcoming LP from LA Industrial Metal mainstays DEAD GIRLS CORP., and several additional 2017 releases TBA.
9:10 PM
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David Ellefson’s EMP Label Group have announced the latest addition to their growing roster, female fronted Los Angeles hard Rock band HAIL SAGAN. Hail Sagan features powerhouse vocalist Sagan Amery, with a devilish masked group rumored to include guitarists Nick Quijano (Powerman 5000) and Andrew Weissberg.

Since forming in 2015, the band has amassed a monstrous fanbase, with over 125,000 followers across their social media, solidified further this month with the release of their debut video “Dark Cloud”. The clip, which debuted earlier this month via REVOLVER, has already gained over 80,000 views. The track, and video, which deals with the subject of abuse and bullying, has already resonated strongly with fans.

Amery says ' It's been a great experience being able to broach the subject of bullying and abuse with the lyrics of this song. We took it one step further and created a video with director Matthew Crum and DP Kenny Keeler that visually enhanced the sensitive subject matter. We chose to mask the members of the band in an effort to show the world that anyone can be a part of this, you never know who will be under there, maybe even a fan or someone who needs music to save them."

You can view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGK6UYAstnc

The band will release their self-titled debut EP in Fall 2016 on EMP LABEL GROUP, and will be available for pre-order later this month.
9:59 AM
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EMP Label Group, the label owned by Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, has signed Brazilian Gothic Metal act Semblant, and will re-release their hugely successful independent digital release Lunar Manifesto __in July through eOne in North America and SPV in Europe.

Hailing from humble beginnings in Curtibia, Brazil, Semblant has found a huge audience throughout North and South America, Europe and beyond with their brand of dark, progressive, gothic Metal, highlighted by the dual vocals of Mizuho Lin and Sergio Mazul.

Being compared to acts ranging from Nightwish to Lacuna Coil to Evanescence, SEMBLANT, vocalists Mizuho Lin and Sergio Mazul, guitarists Juliano Ribeiro and Sol Perez, keyboardist J. Augusto, and drummer Welyntom "Thor" Sikora has found huge success with their independent release Lunar Manifesto,__ with the video for “What Lies Ahead” reaching over 2 million views on Youtube this week, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIedr_9_9hA as well as follow up “Dark of the Day” nearing 500,000 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AamdEYGZwFA.

Says EMP A&R and Operations Director Thom Hazaert, who discovered and signed the band to EMP, “When I first stumbled onto Semblant, like most of the World, on Youtube, I was instantly struck by (female vocalist) Mizuho (Lin), and how interesting the band was. Numbers don’t lie, and I watched the video shoot from a million views to almost 2 million inside of a month. So, I did a little more homework and found out some more about them. Literally a week later, through a random introduction from one of my A&R assistants, I met the band, and the owner of their previous label who was looking for a new home for them.” He adds, “At that point, the universe worked its magic, and before you know it, we were in serious talks to bring the band over to EMP.”

Says Ellefson, “I can’t say how excited we are that we were able to find such an incredible band, who has already found huge success on their own, and to be able to get involved and take it to the next level. Discovering and nurturing bands like this is the reason why I started this label, and why myself and Thom have developed it the way we have. It is already becoming a great cannon for promising artists, and Semblant absolutely fit the bill.” Ellefson adds, “And the way we found them, with the band being from Brazil, just makes it that much cooler. There has always been a strong Metal culture in Brazil, which is really emerging now internationally with bands like Angra, Semblant, Machinage etc., and we were so blessed to be able to pick up one of their most promising exports.”

The band will tour the US in June, with a planned 7/8 release date for Lunar Manifesto, which will be released in CD and limited edition LP formats.
11:50 AM

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