Independent Record Company CENTURY MEDIA In Talks About Possible Major-Label Acquisition

Rumors have been circulating in the metal scene that Century Media, one of the best-known independent heavy rock labels in the world, will be acquired by one of the three largest music groups: Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group or Universal. It is believed that Sony has taken the lead to close the deal, with Century Media founder Robert Kampf continuing to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the company.

Contacted by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Kampf did not want to comment on ongoing negotiations, but he did confirm his interest in a major-label acquisition in order to give Century Media a stronger footing at a time of diminishing worldwide sales of sound recordings.

According to Kampf, Century Media had its strongest year in 2014, which explains the major labels' interest in acquiring a part ownership or total ownership in his company.

Kampf seemed excited at the prospect of working with one of the major labels and reiterated his plans to keep Century Media "stronger than ever."

Century Media was instrumental in the careers of heavy music acts like IN THIS MOMENT, SUICIDE SILENCE, SHADOWS FALL, LACUNA COIL and many more.

Century Media's parent company, The Century Family, includes several other labels: Another Century (rock),InsideOut Music (progressive),People Like You (post-punk, alternative) and Superball (alternative, modern progressive).

Kampf founded Century Media in 1988, with co-owner Oliver Withöft coming onboard roughly a year and a half later.

Withöft passed away in January 2014 at the age of 49.