TRUSTKILL Partners With FONTANA

Fontana, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, has signed an exclusive distribution deal with New Jersey-based Trustkill Records, it was announced today by Jim Urie, President of Universal Music Group Distribution, Steve Pritchitt, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Fontana, and Josh Grabelle, founder of Trustkill.

Under this new agreement, Fontana will distribute Trustkill product in the U.S., while working closely with Trustkill on further expanding the label's reach in the marketplace, building and extending its brand and helping the company to capitalize on the many new and emerging opportunities across a variety of retail and new media platforms.

Over the past ten years, Trustkill Records has emerged from a college dorm room project into the leading authority on metal, hardcore, punk and emo music in the independent sector. In 2006, Trustkill scored five debut albums on the Billboard chart, three of which landed in the "Top 200". These include BLEEDING THROUGH, who have combined sales of over 200,000 albums to date, and whose new album, "The Truth", released in 2006, debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top New Artists chart; and BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, who also released their debut album in 2006, scored Billboard's "Hotshot Debut" and has since sold over 175,000 copies in the U.S. Trustkill has also successfully diversified into such areas as music publishing, film, mobile, merchandise/e-commerce, and touring. Upcoming releases include new albums from HOPESFALL, BEDLIGHT FOR BLUE EYES and THROWDOWN, among many others.

"When we launched Fontana, our goal was to attract those partners who thrive on innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit," stated Mr. Urie. "Josh and his team are the poster children for that. We are delighted to welcome them to the Fontana family."

"After 10 years of doing this with various indies, we are excited to be joining the Fontana team," added Mr. Grabelle. "Jim and Steve approached me when things at Trustkill were really on fire, and I feel that they, above anyone else, really understand our business model, our brand, and goals. With the world's largest music distributor behind us we have huge plans to really take this label into the future and expand our roster, staff, sales, and more."

"I am thrilled to be working with the forward thinking executives at Fontana," commented Trustkill General Manager Robert Dippold. "New industry challenges require a new approach to handling artists' careers and selling music. We see this as combining the best of our artist development skills and access to Universal's industry power. I'm confident that Fontana's passion for music and our expertise and reputation in developing and branding artists will make a very formidable combination."