EARACHE Inks Distribution Pact With WARNER MUSIC U.K.

Earache Records has announced the signing of a new distribution deal for the U.K. with ADA Music U.K., a newly created sales and distribution arm of Warner Music U.K.

Effective immediately, the deal will see the entire Earache catalogue distributed by ADA/Warner, from their base at TEN (The Entertainment Network) in Aylesbury.

Earache kick-started the worldwide extreme music genre, stretching back almost 20 years, and the catalogue includes the earliest and most important releases from such groundbreaking acts as NAPALM DEATH, CARCASS, MORBID ANGEL, AT THE GATES, CLUTCH, ENTOMBED, DUB WAR and GODFLESH. The label also currently boasts such artists as DEICIDE, MORTIIS, DECAPITATED, CULT OF LUNA and BIOMECHANICAL. With over 350 releases and 150 active titles, Earache's long-standing catalogue is one of the most respected within the independent rock music scene.

Says Earache Records Ltd. Managing Director Digby Pearson: "This deal can only be good news for our artists and catalog to receive a push from a major distribution set up in our home territory. Though what MADONNA and GREEN DAY will make of having the likes of DECAPITATED and the rest of Earache's headbangingly loud roster sharing distribution space with them, we can barely imagine."

The first releases under the new deal were CULT OF LUNA's "Somewhere Along the Highway" (currently riding high in the official U.K. rock/metal chart) and three re-issued back-catalog titles from MORTIIS.

Susan Rush, Managing Director of ADA Music U.K., adds: "We're really pleased to be working with Earache. They've built a successful long term business and have become one of the U.K.'s best rock exponents and we're looking forward to being part of the next chapter in their life."