EMP Label Group, the label founded by MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, has signed an exclusive North American distribution deal with Entertainment One (eOne), North America’s leading independent music brand. In addition to offering traditional wholesale and managed inventory services to some of North America’s largest retailers, eOne will provide a wide range of digital strategic services for EMP’s future releases.
Formed in 2015, EMP has already had worldwide success with their first release, the debut EP from Phoenix all-female punk group DOLL SKIN, released as a joint venture with Megaforce and Cargo Records (U.K.), who has already received airplay on dozens of stations around the world.
Said Ellefson: “We’ve had a great start with the DOLL SKIN EP, and the amazing partners we had in releasing it. The reaction, worldwide, has been overwhelming. And what we have built since then is even more exciting. We have a full slate of amazing rock and metal releases for 2016, and it’s amazing to be able to take it to the next level with an extremely committed and powerful partner in eOne.”
Scott Givens, SVP Metal, eOne Music, adds: “I am excited to have EMP joining the rapidly growing Entertainment One metal/rock family and look forward to working with David and Thom.”
Spring 2016 will see the the first two releases from EMP via eOne: “Terminal Cognition” (April 15), the debut LP from Denver metallers ARISE IN CHAOS, co-produced by David Ellefson and ILL NINO’s Ahrue Luster; and “Manufacturing Evil” (April 1), the superb sophomore LP from Des Moines thrash merchants GREEN DEATH, who were brought to EMP’s attention via SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer Corey Taylor after performing at the 2015 Knotfest. Initially released independently, the reissued version of the critically acclaimed “Manufacturing Evil” will feature some new mixes, mastering, and surprises, including guest vocals by David Vincent of MORBID ANGEL.
These will be followed up with a summer slate including releases from DEAD BY WEDNESDAY, who will release their guest vocalist LP “Darkest Of Angels” (May 20) featuring Brian Fair (SHADOWS FALL), Eric “A.K.” Knutson (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM), John Arch (FATES WARNING), Rob Dukes (GENERATION KILL, ex-EXODUS), Carley Coma (CANDIRIA), Waylon Reavis (ex-MUSHROOMHEAD), Sean Danielsen (SMILE EMPTY SOUL), and more; Panama-by-way-of-Los Angeles hard rockers CAGE 9, who will release their upcoming LP “Illuminator”, and up-and-coming hard rock powerhouse ANOTHER LOST YEAR, who have rapidly become a staple at hard rock radio, with their current single, “Wolves”, working its way up the Active Rock charts. Their album, “Alien Architect”, will be released in June via their own EMP imprint.
The diverse slate of upcoming releases was brought to EMP by A&R and marketing director and de facto operations manager Thom Hazaert, who echoes Ellefson’s sentiments. “We have signed some amazing bands to phenomenal results, and it’s been a huge honor to be involved, and I couldn’t be more excited,” he said. “Myself and David have put in endless hours building this, and have searched high and low for the right partner, and we’re thrilled to have found it in eOne. Not only are they at the top of their game on all levels of media distribution, but have built themselves into essentially the go-to label for rock and metal releases, and are an amazing company with an amazing team. And with eOne on our side, we will continue to build EMP into a powerhouse label for 2016 and beyond.”
Source: Blabbermouth
