Latvian turbo-folk since 2000. Ska, reggae, rock, metal and disco 24/7.

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/

hey, my name is v or vyden.
i've been making music for 6 years, mostly hip-hop beats and some electronic music.
all my music is free to use, however, be sure to credit me, that is highly appreciated.
previously went by the name gaans.

U Will Find Music Range From Dubstep To Hard Rock / Metal. Hope U Enjoy!

Skumju Akmeņi is alternative rock music band from Latvia/Riga.Founded in 1994.Years of activity 1994-1997/2001-2005/2013-2014...Band have demo casette"Pilns nāves vecums vientulībā"(in july 1995);casette "Skumju Akmeņi"("Sorrow Stones")(in december 1996)(this album released as cd "Pēc septiņiem vienatnē gadiem"("After seven loneliness years") in 2001);digital demo album"Kā divas zvaigznes"("As two stars"(in  may 2013)...Band members from 2001 till 2014 are Heļēna Kozlova-vocals/acoustic guitar/whistle/songwriting/words;Kaspars Pupa-guitar/songwriting;Antons Novokšonovs-guitar;Ivars Blūms-bass/words;Gints Kronbergs-drums (ex.members-Raitis Dziedātājs-drums (1995-1997);Rinalds Zelmenis -guitar (1996-1997)...In years of activity band played in many clubs and festivals in Latvia.In 1996 was in tour in Finland.Band sings only in latvian language.

Extraordinary Folk / Pagan / Black Metal band from Riga, Latvia, established in 1995. 

Skyforger has been forging their music in the smithy of the Thundergod since 1995.

For more than last two decades, the band has been fighting under the flag of Latvian Pagan Metal, an extreme blend of traditional Baltic Folk music and various Metal influences ranging from Norwegian inspired Black Metal through to 80s-rooted Heavy Metal. The band's unique combination of ancient and modern influence has given them a wide appeal throughout both the Metal and Folk scenes, and has brought great variety to their song writing over the course of the six Skyforger albums.

The first of these was unleashed from the forge in 1997. Titled 'Semigalls' Warchant', the demo tape told tales of the last free Pagan tribes of the Baltic peoples; and their struggles with Christian invaders throughout the thirteenth century.

These tales of ancient tribal Latvia and its Heathen tradition were to be expanded upon in 1998 with Skyforger's first full-length album, 'Kauja pie Saules' ('The Battle of Saule'). Later, in 2000, band followed with their third release, the First World War themed album 'Latvian Riflemen'.
  
Skyforger signed to the German label Folter Records and soon the world saw the release of their newest Pagan Metal masterpiece, - 'Thunderforge', which was a fine return to their old themes of ancestral culture and Heathen gods. The next album in line, recorded also in 2003, was the self-released 'Sword Song', - an album of purely acoustic Latvian Folk music and a long coming tribute to their ancient forefathers' heritage. In 2005 Folter Records released re-mastered demo album 'Semigalls' Warchant' on CD format, with additional EP 'Asinslauks'.

Skyforger spent next few years working on a conceptual album about the legendary Latvian fairytale hero, Kurbads. The album, similarly entitled 'Kurbads', was released worldwide via Metal Blade Records in 2010.

Throughout the years, band has been busy on festival stages all over Europe and Skyforger is well known for their non-compromising live performances. 

Skyforger released their latest album 'Old Prussia' on 6th of April, 2015, on Thunderforge Records. Right now band is actively working on new album, with approximate release date 2023/2024.

Discography:
Semigalls' Warchant (1997 mc, 2005 cd)
Kauja Pie Saules (1998)
Latvian Riflemen (2000)
Thunderforge (2003)
Sword Song (2003)
Kurbads (2010)
Old Prussia (2015)

Line-up:
Peter – lead vocals / guitars, 
Edgars "Zirgs" – bass / backing vocals
Alvis – guitars / backing vocals
Jānis – drums & percussion

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