NUCLEAR BLAST Extends American Contract With THE CENTURY FAMILY

Founded in Donzdorf, Germany in 1987, ranked #11 in the "Top 20 Rock/Metal Labels" and #41 in the "Top 50 Labels" charts by Hit Quarters in 2007, Nuclear Blast Records has extended its production and distribution deal with The Century Family, Inc. for the United States.

From his office in Germany, Nuclear Blast label owner and president Markus Staiger had this to say about the continued two-year contract renewal: "We are very thrilled to continue our work with The Century Family. It is great that two metal companies can work together so close without any problems and fun to have such professional and nice people in the U.S. working for us! Be sure to expect a great year in 2008 for Nuclear Blast and Century Media. Nuclear Blast will release new titles from MESHUGGAH, DIMMU BORGIR, KATAKLYSM, KORPIKLAANI, THREAT SIGNAL, ALL SHALL PERISH, DEATH ANGEL, HYPOCRISY, IMMORTAL, and EXODUS, as well as a stunning new album from TESTAMENT and AVANTASIA's third album 'The Scarecrow' (featuring members of KISS, SCORPIONS, MAGNUM, Jorn Lande, and more),along with some IN FLAMES re-releases, too. Also, keep an eye out for our new U.S. signings — they are all young, fresh and brutal new acts with tremendous new albums. Among these is SUCCESS WILL WRITE APOCALYPSE ACROSS THE SKY who play brutal Florida grind-death metal! Big thanks goes to the NB U.S.A. Team, Century Media, and our distributor Caroline/EMI. Special thanks to our great metal fans!"

Since 2000, Nuclear Blast has maintained U.S. staff and operations in Los Angeles via a successful and long-running production and distribution deal with The Century Family, Inc., parent of Century Media Records. Century Media currently maintains a distribution deal with Caroline/EMI which it manages for Nuclear Blast under the arrangement.

States Century Media CEO Oliver Withoeft: "Nuclear Blast and Century Media are looking forward to an even closer cooperation in 2008. The New Year will prove to be a decisive year for the music industry, and we will continue to be at the forefront of setting trends in metal. Our customers will be pleased to learn that we will expand our offers beyond the traditional ways of selling music."

2007 has been a year of distinction for Nuclear Blast in both Europe and North America. In addition to hosting a celebratory 20-year anniversary festival in Stuttgart this past October in the presence of over 6,000 metal fans, various 2007 releases made extremely noteworthy entries onto the Billboard charts.

To view Hit Quarters' Top 20 list of rock/metal labels, go to this location.