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.

"Music is my passion. My passion is music." — theKONGTRACKS

At an early age, I was fortunate that my Dad played the guitar and I grew-up listening to a diverse selection of musical artists — Michael Jackson, Olivia Newton-John, Leif Garrett, Santana & The Ventures were some of the very first 8-tracks & vinyls I've heard and music instantly became my very first love.

Upon entering my teenage years, my cousins from Long Island introduced me to Heavy Metal (i.e. Iron Maiden & Metallica) and was literally blown-away by the aggression, concept and technicality of the genre.

During my later teenage years, my musical taste began evolving into more of a "street-style" offering such as UTFO, Run DMC, Ice-T & Public Enemy...being from Brooklyn, I was blessed to be a part of The Golden Age Of Rap: Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap, Rakim, KRS-One & 3rd Bass were my childhood rap idols.

As part of my teenage angst years, I began channeling my anger & frustrations through the power of music...enrolling in Maggio Music School in Brooklyn. It was by God's grace that I was lucky enough to have "Joe" — a "far-beyond" talented guitar virtuoso as my weekly guitar teacher. After a few years of intense guitar lessons, I began studying music theory and took classical courses as well.

During my twilight high school years, I was awe-struck after attending a Biohazard/Life Of Agony show and became fascinated by the New York Hardcore Scene — I was obsessed with collecting demos from Hardcore bands and became possessed on attending the best Hardcore shows in the Tri-State Area. My fascination with the N.Y.H.C. Scene became a reality; as my childhood friend (Jimmy McCormack) and I decided to form a Hardcore Punk/Metal band — we found a drummer -Kevin, from a store ad post whom brought in the singer -Rob and we called ourselves — Overpower.

We began playing local shows at low-key NYC venues — including Fort Hamilton High School & Village Underground — our energetic live shows and youthful following caught the attention of several concert promoters who helped us land a major gig — opening for Brooklyn rap groups: Da' Bushbabies and The Beatnuts at the 'world-famous' L'Amours the "Rock Capitol of Brooklyn" — that particular show created the buzz necessary to land perhaps our most prominent show ever — playing alongside some of our favorite underground Hardcore bands: All Out War, V.O.D./Vision Of Disorder, Out Of Line (Brooklyn), Out Of Line (Queens), Without A Cause , etc. at the Bond St. Cafe in NYC.

Unfortunately, I promised my parents that I would attend college and pursue my education as opposed to playing in a band. Overpower eventually disbanded completely and Jimmy the bassist went on to form his own band called Shutdown — who were signed to Victory Records and releasing several albums. Shutdown was a straight-edge Hardcore band w/ a positive message and they developed a cult-like following through the years.

Since then, my passion for music never waned...in fact, my musical tastes became more broad, complex and diverse...began submerging myself w/ various underground genres and scenes.

I also began creating 'critically-acclaimed' personal mixtapes/CDs for my childhood friends and continue to do so during my spare time.

[Note: Proud owner of over 1,300+ original CD's — comprised of mostly Hip-Hop/Rap, Heavy Metal & House/Trance — All-Time Fav Artists: Eminem, 50 Cent/G-Unit, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Skid Row, The Beatles, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, Nas, Smif N' Wessun, The Lox/D-Block, Big Pun, Phil Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughn, All Out War, Confusion, Darkside, Out Of Line (Brooklyn), Out Of Line (Queens), Candiria, August Burns Red, Parkway Drive & the Wu-Tang Clan]

rkillpop is following