Always at the forefront with an active role in emerging stylistic nuances Century Media has truly shattered the barriers and exemplified diversity in extremes while remaining rooted in the underground but giving bands opportunities outside of the normal means with major league international touring, commercial radio play, and music placement in high-profile films, TV and commercials. Despite all of the years and breakthroughs the company maintains their organic, family feel and business is still being conducted by fans of the music for fans of the music.

The #1 in Extreme Music! As the world's biggest independent Heavy Metal label we give you access to always the latest songs, official music videos, interviews, live performances and more from artists like Slayer, Machine Head, Nightwish, Eluveitie, Exodus, Anthrax, Meshuggah, Hatebreed, Testament, Sepultura, Children Of Bodom, Dimmu Borgir, Avantasia and many more.

Metal Blade Records history by Dan Slessor:
Founded upon owner Brian Slagel's enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalogue, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it strides into its fourth decade.

What perhaps makes this achievement all the more notable is the fact that Slagel never even intended to start a label. Working in an LA record store and writing for various publications, Slagel was acutely aware that many great bands in the local metal scene were being ignored, and he decided to release a compilation of tracks drawn from these ranks. "There were a lot of really good bands and I was just bummed out that nobody could hear them. It just seemed like I could help them out and have some fun at the same time, and that compilation was the first Metal Massacre," he states. Collating tracks from then unknown bands including Ratt, Bitch, Cirith Ungol, and Metallica amongst others, the compilation sold out immediately. "How important is Metal Blade to our career? They're only the reason we are enjoying the worldwide success we have today," states Metallica's James Hetfield. "Without Brian's openness to some raunchy teens with a crap sounding cassette tape we would be who knows where, and playing who knows what!" With the popularity of the tape spurring Slagel on, the first seeds of Metal Blade were sown. "After the success of those compilations I just started putting out records of bands that I was friends with, but without ever really intending it to be a label at all," he explains. "After I put out four or five releases I started to feel like something was happening, and I decided to quit the record store and quit college and see where it went."

Battling through the first few lean years, when the label consisted solely of Slagel working out of his mom's poorly ventilated garage in the San Fernando Valley, it gradually grew in both revenue and stature. Within a few years Metal Blade would go on to release the debuts of Slayer, Armored Saint, Trouble, and Corrosion Of Conformity amongst others, fanning the flames of the burgeoning metal scene and launching careers of bands that would go onto reap global success. "Without Metal Blade, there is a damn good chance we never would've made it out of L.A," says Slayer's Kerry King. "That was the one bit of luck we needed. You can be the most awesome band on the scene, and if no one notices you, you don't catch on. And Brian Slagel is still one of the biggest metalheads I know!" This genuine love and devotion to metal is central to the relationship many of the artists have with Metal Blade, and King Diamond credits much of its relevance and strength to this passion. "I refer to it as having 'boots on the ground'," the mighty Dane states. "It's not like a major label where some people might be into what you're doing but a lot of them just see it as a job – there's a genuine love for metal there. Through staying true to that and doing their own thing they've carved out a very specific niche that they control, and as an artist it's wonderful to be a part of that."over the years. Clearly without those people we couldn't do what we do, and to everyone out there who has helped us along by being a fan we are so very grateful to you."

Read more: http://www.metalblade.com/us/about-us/

Color Of Water was selected SOUNDCLOUDER OF THE DAY on November 4th, 2011. 

Thank you Soundcloud, and thanks to all the amazing people who have followed us since our selection.
We truly appreciate all the supportive comments left on our tracks, and are humbled by the appreciation shown to us.

We are ALL privileged to be a part of the movement toward oneness, that this site helps facilitate.

Color of Water is what I call this project, begun in early spring of 2011.
After years of searching for musicians who were unusually talented and creative,
I found craigslist of all places, yielded some exquisite diamonds within the coal pile.

I found a precious few who knew, what they were doing and where they were going.
When I surrendered my will to the universe, and allowed the right people to appear
when the timing was right, the results were most impressive.

We truly LISTEN to each other, and I believe this is what makes our music so unusual.

Together, we present these sound sculptures for the pleasure of your enjoyment.

.....COLOR OF WATER.............................

Water becomes what ever color it reflects back, or is influenced by.
From shallow to deep, the sea is pale turquoise, to deep midnight blue.

This elemental quality seems to aptly describe the compositional method we employ,
to generate sound waves resembling music.

To some, music must be structured around a predetermined set of rules and traditions,.
To me this seems rigid and unforgiving.

The music we make is essentially a clear medium, like water, that's tonally influenced
by the colors and textures we feel momentarily inspired to play, or "paint" with sounds.

Sometimes the music is dark and mysterious, other times intensely compelling, or light and whimsical.
It never allows us to know how it will sound. 
If I weren't recording everything we do, none of us would ever be able to recall what was played, or reproduce any of the music.

We each play our own musical instruments in real time, simultaneously, 
with NO rehearsal, or discussion of what's to be played. 

No do overs, nor overdubs, what you hear is exactly 
how it was transmitted to us, "out of thin air".

We have rejected the safety of familiarity, 
and "always being in control of the outcome", so prevalent in modern culture.

These pieces are all examples of our dedication to the music, and our subservience to a greater creative force,
accessible only with a willing heart, and a mind in alignment with the upward evolution of consciousness.

More simply put;

We empty ourselves of any need for control, and allow 
the sound that's always everywhere, to take over and PLAY US.

This may sound preposterous to some, 
and stream of consciousness thinking as it pertains to composing music,
can be difficult to teach as a technique to others. 
However...
The music is a testament to what's possible, if all players present can really listen to the others,
and augment just enough to make a balanced contribution, yet still allow the music to breathe.

The outcome is always determined by the musicians involved, their talent, experience, tastes in music,
and willingness to surrender ego and fear, for the betterment of the music.

The more accomplished and comfortable a player is with their instrument, the better the 
sonic channeling sounds.

However, even average players can amaze themselves with what's possible 
when they let go of the wheel, and allow intuition to guide their expression.

I have created a recording studio sanctuary, 
far from the mundane methodologies of musical mediocrity.

My goal is to somehow help enhance the way people listen; 
to the creative impulse, each other, and especially
the sonic frequencies they create as musicians,
and absorb as listeners.

And to co create music that quiets the mind and nourishes the spirit. 
Sound with no pretense, agenda, or offensive origins.

Those who find themselves invited to the studio, 
are always welcomed to express their individuality in any way they see fit.

The sounds created in an environment of total freedom can be quite breathtaking, 
and astonishingly articulate, in spite of their seemingly haphazard compositional nature.
 

THE MUSICIANS:

Michael Pennington; Drums, Percussion, Native Flute

Daniel Mullikin; Cello, Mandolin, Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Sitar, Sarangi

David Belzer; Piano and Synths

Zach Zarrow; Piano, Synths, Keyboards

Xitlalic Hernandez; Piano, Synths, Guitar

Studio, Engineering and Post Production; 
Michael Pennington, Lesser Pyramid Studio

Every session is professionally recorded, even sound checks, just as they happen.

We have diverse backgrounds, and yet find our common interests dwell within a totally in the moment,
free form stream of consciousness style of creating unique, not easily defined music.

Every note you hear is somehow channeled through us, 
in the moment it was received, and hasn't been altered
or adjusted to conform to ours, 
or anyone's idea of what music should sound like.

We are fearless explorers in mysterious realms, without limitations or self imposed boundaries.

The healing aspects of this activity can be heard and felt in a very visceral way.

If this method is approached with humility, 
It will widen narrow perspectives, and begin to heal the body, mind and spirit. 

Please relax, take a deep breath, and allow all the invigorating energies passing through our instruments 
to accumulate within your place of peace, be it internal or otherwise.

COLOR OF WATER

Frequencies of full spectrum sounds, that flow unhindered over real and imaginary topography. 

Created by finding the joy in abandonment, and the paths of least resistance.

Evolving through emotive environments that compel and inspire our ever awakening state.

This concept is welcomed within our hearts and musical expression, 
and has thus become manifest in these movements of sound.

We seek to refine and restore our connection to as many subtle and intricate qualities of sound as possible.

We invite any willing participants to travel with us on these sonic sojourns, 
through the deep, dark and distant, or shimmering, immediate, places they take us. 

I've heard it said, "we'd make great pets", and "the coming age is new".
But sometimes when your back is turned, the truth's in FRONT of you.

Thanks to all our families, friends, and followers for your support and for listening.

Thanks to Soundcloud for allowing it to happen.

Be good to each other.....

Always Everywhere,

Michael Pennington
Color of Water
1.1.2012


 


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