Sumerian Records

{{Infobox record label

| name = Sumerian Records

| image = Sumerian Records.jpg

| founded = {{start date and age|2006}}

| distributor = Virgin Music Group{{cite news|last1=Wiseman|first1=Andreas |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/sumerian-records-films-acquires-comic-book-publisher-and-gaming-company-behemoth-1234984764/|title=Sumerian Records & Films Acquires Comic Book Publisher And Gaming Company Behemoth|access-date=13 April 2022|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 23, 2022}}

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| country = United States

| location = Los Angeles, California
Washington, D.C.
London, United Kingdom
Nashville, Tennessee

| website = {{URL|https://sumerianrecords.com/}}

}}

Sumerian Records is an American record label based in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and London.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/jill-pedone-joins-sumerian-records-as-chief-strategy-officer/|title = Jill Pedone joins Sumerian Records as Chief Strategy Officer|date = 18 February 2021}} The label was founded in 2006"Label Profile: Sumerian Records". Alternative Press #263 (June 2010), p. 38. by Ash Avildsen."[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=88269 VEIL OF MAYA Signs With SUMERIAN RECORDS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606081837/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=88269 |date=2011-06-06 }}", Blabbermouth.net, January 11, 2008, retrieved 27 March 2010"[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105951 FELLSILENT Inks U.S. Deal With SUMERIAN RECORDS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606081954/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105951 |date=2011-06-06 }}", Blabbermouth.net, October 1, 2008, retrieved 27 March 2010 They have signed artists such as Crosses, Poppy, Bad Omens, Animals As Leaders, and I See Stars. In early 2022, Sumerian acquired Behemoth Entertainment, a comic book and video game publisher, in order to increase their merchandise options and further expand the brand.

History

Founded in 2006 in his Venice Beach apartment, Sumerian Records founder Ash Avildsen first released the records Akeldama by The Faceless and For What It's Worth by Stick to Your Guns in order to let people know the label would be dedicated to underground music but also to diversify the genres of the label, as the former falls under deathcore while the latter is typically described as Melodic Hardcore.{{Cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/features/interviews/153/Ash-Avildsen-Sumerian-Records-interview|title=Ash Avildsen (Sumerian Records) interview|website=Lambgoat.com|access-date=7 June 2023}} After waiting a year to release another record, in order to ensure third band on their label was "totally doing their own thing independent from everything else going on in the scene", Sumerian released The New Reign by Born of Osiris. Ash later commented on this release in a 2012 interview with Lambgoat by stating "There is something to be said for not putting out too many records each year to where we're able to give focused energy to each band and album rather than always having several releases come out each month". Sumerian has continued to follow this philosophy throughout its near two decade tenure, never surpassing more than thirty artists on the label at one time and typically following a one record a month release schedule.{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/label/97958-Sumerian-Records?sort=year&sort_order=asc | title=Sumerian Records | website=Discogs }}

Since its inauguration, Sumerian has had several seminal artists in the rock, emo, and alternative genres perform on late night television, such as Asking Alexandria,{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1882640/|title = David Arquette/Mike Birbiglia/Asking Alexandria|website = IMDb|date = 11 April 2011}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/asking-alexandria/2011/jimmy-kimmel-live-los-angeles-ca-13d38119.html|title = Asking Alexandria Setlist at Jimmy Kimmel Live, Los Angeles|website = setlist.fm}} I See Stars,{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/i_see_stars_to_perform_on_jimmy_kimmel_live/|title = I See Stars to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live|website = Alternative Press|date = 12 May 2011}} and Crosses(†††){{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/watch_crosses_perform_on_jimmy_kimmel_live/|title = Watch Crosses (†††) perform on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'|website = Alternative Press|date = 12 February 2014}} on Jimmy Kimmel, Bones UK on Seth Meyers,{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/bones-uk-late-night-seth-meyers/|title = Bones UK Complete Pandemic Postponed U.S. Late Night TV Debut|website = Loudwire| date=9 September 2020 }} and most recently The Smashing Pumpkins on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/watch-the-smashing-pumpkins-perform-on-the-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon/|title=Watch The Smashing Pumpkins Perform On The Tonight Show Starring…|date=2 December 2020|website=Kerrang.com|access-date=7 June 2023}}

Current roster

After the Burial
Animals as Leaders
Bad Omens
Between the Buried and Me
Bones UK
Born of Osiris
Des Rocs
Diamante
Evan Brewer
The Faceless
From First to Last{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/from_first_to_last_sign_with_sumerian_records|title=From First To Last sign with Sumerian Records - News - Alternative Press|website=Alternative Press|date=13 January 2015}}
Hollywood Undead
I See Stars
Jonathan Davis
Juliet Simms AKA Lilith Czar {{Cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/lilith-czar-king-2650617693.html|title=Lilith Czar is the King of Rock|website=Papermag.com|date=19 February 2021}}
Kittie
Meg Myers
The Native Howl
Nita Strauss
Oceano
OmenXIII{{Cite web|url=https://lambgoat.com/news/36240/omenxiii-signs-with-sumerian-records-drops-new-single-and-video/|title=OMENXIII signs with Sumerian Records, drops new single and video|website=Lambgoat.com|date=7 May 2022}}
Palaye Royale
Poppy
Pretty Sister
RVSHVD
Seven Hours After Violet
Slaughter to Prevail
Sleeping with Sirens
Starbenders
The Pretty Wild
Through Fire
Thomas Giles
Veil of Maya
Weathers
Within Destruction
Youth Code

= Artists formerly with label=

Asking Alexandria (on Better Noise Music)
Betraying the Martyrs (Disbanded)
Bizzy Bone (Active)
Black Veil Brides (on Spinefarm Records)
Blackguard (Victory Records)
Body Count (on Century Media Records)
Borgore
Capture the Crown (name changed to "Capture", inactive)
CHON (Disbanded)
Circa Survive (on hiatus)
Circle of Contempt (Active, Unsigned)
Conducting From The Grave (Disbanded)
Crosses (on Warner)
Danny Worsnop (on Better Noise Music)
Darkest Hour (on Southern Lord)
Dayshell (Active, Independent)
Dead Letter Circus (on The End Records)
Dead Posey (Active, Unsigned)
ERRA (on UNFD)
Fellsilent (Disbanded)
I, the Breather (On Pavement Entertainment)
The Kindred (Disbanded)
Lower Than Atlantis (Disbanded)
Make Me Famous (Disbanded)
Night Riots (Disbanded)
Periphery (on 3DOT Recordings)
Sea of Treachery (Active, Unsigned)
September Mourning
The Smashing Pumpkins (Active, on Thirty Tigers)
Soreption (on Unique Leader Records)
Stick to Your Guns (on SharpTone Records)
Stray from the Path (on UNFD)
Structures (Active, Unsigned)
Upon a Burning Body (Active, Seek And Strike Records)

Releases

Charts and sales certifications

Sumerian has garnered three RIAA certified gold records. Their first two awards originated from two singles on Asking Alexandria's debut album Stand Up and Scream (2009): "The Final Episode"{{Cite web|url=https://www.hellhoundmusic.com/joey-sturgis-receives-gold-record-for-asking-alexandria-the-final-episode/|title=Hellhound Music — Coming Soon|website=Hellhoundmusic.com|access-date=7 June 2023}} and "Not The American Average".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2017/04/06/news/asking-alexandria-moment-singles-go-gold-u-s/|title=Asking Alexandria & in This Moment Singles Go Gold in the U.S.|website=Theprp.com|date=6 April 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/l-a-metal-label-sumerian-records-has-spent-10-years-not-f-in-selling-out/|title = L.A. Metal Label Sumerian Records Has Spent 10 Years "Not F—-in' Selling Out"|website=Laweekly.com|date = 18 May 2016}} Their third was Bad Omens' breakthrough single, "Just Pretend" (2022).{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Bad+Omens&ti=Just+Pretend&format=Single&type=#search_section|title = Gold & Platinum|website=riaa.com|date = 3 August 2023}}

In 2014, Sumerian reunited Grammy-winning{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/ice-t/13582|title = Ice-T|website=Grammy.com|date = 22 April 2021}} actor/rapper Ice-T's Body Count{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2012/12/10/sumerian-records-signs-body-count/|title=Sumerian Records Signs Body Count|website=Metalsucks.com|date=10 December 2012}} and released its highest-selling album in 20+ years, Manslaughter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/body-count-manslaughter-first-week-sales-revealed/|title=BODY COUNT: 'Manslaughter' First-Week Sales Revealed|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=18 June 2014}}

In 2018, they released the first true solo album for Jonathan Davis, lead singer of Korn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/jonathan-davis-korn-solo-album-interview-2315292|title = Jonathan Davis interview: Solo album, nu-metal and new Korn material|website = NME|date = 15 May 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/jonathan-davis-black-labyrinth-solo-album-title-artwork-track-listing/|title = Jonathan Davis Confirms 'Black Labyrinth' Solo Album Title|website = Loudwire| date=19 March 2018 }} The lead single for Jonathan's album "What It Is"{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-jonathan-davis-spiritual-new-solo-song-what-it|title = Hear Jonathan Davis' "Spiritual" New Solo Song "What It Is"|date = 26 January 2018}} went Top 5 at Rock Radio which was a first for Jonathan outside of KoRn.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jonathan-davis/chart-history/rtt/|title = Jonathan Davis|magazine = Billboard}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/korn/chart-history/rtt/|title = Korn|magazine = Billboard}}

Sumerian delivered the highest charting alternative radio song for the Smashing Pumpkins in 12+ years for their lead single "Cyr" off their latest album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/SmashingPumpkins/comments/l6ro21/cyr_has_now_been_on_the_charts_as_long_as_zero/|title=R/SmashingPumpkins - Cyr has now been on the charts as long as Zero|website=Reddit.com|date=28 January 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/SmashingPumpkins/comments/kk5rnb/cyr_is_actually_doing_quite_well_on_the_radio/|title = R/SmashingPumpkins - Cyr is actually doing quite well on the radio right now|website=Reddit.com|date = 25 December 2020}}

Achievements and awards

In 2010, The Grammy Museum at LA Live had a Golden Gods: History of Heavy Metal Exhibit where the original, band sticker-covered Sony Vaio laptop that founder Ash Avildsen started the label on was displayed as a historical item.{{Cite web|url=https://www.increativecompany.com/events/in-conversation-ash-avildsen|title=In Conversation: Ash Avildsen|website=Increativecompany.com|access-date=7 June 2023}}

In 2017, Sumerian received its first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance for Periphery.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/periphery/20141|title=Periphery|website=Grammy.com|date=23 November 2020}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7694378/grammys-2017-metal-baroness-gojira-periphery-interview-megadeth/|title=Metal Upstarts Baroness, Gojira & Periphery Reflect on 2017 Grammys, Why They 'Had a Blast Losing'|magazine=Billboard}} That year saw Sumerian also have their first box office theatrical film release in American Satan,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/24/16519878/american-satan-review-horror-movie-john-bradley|title = In American Satan, Game of Thrones' John Bradley eats plates of coke|website=Theverge.com|date = 24 October 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5451690/|title = American Satan|website = IMDb|date = 13 October 2017}} which debuted in select AMC theatres across the country{{Cite web|url=https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/american-satan-54779|title = American Satan|website=Amctheatres.com| date=12 October 2017 }} and went top 20 in its opening weekend on box office mojo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt5451690/|title = American Satan|website=Boxofficemojo.com}} The movie was picked up by Miramax for distribution{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/470063279848248549/|title = Thanks to Miramax, the whole world gets to see American Satan. | Dropping out of college, Pulp fiction, Rock and roll|website=Pinterest.com}}{{cite web | url=https://new-transcendence.com/film-review-american-satan/ | title=Film Review: American Satan|website=New-transcendence.com| date=13 February 2018 }} and Showtime for first window domestic SVOD{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/american-satan-showtime-date/|title = 'American Satan' is coming to Showtime|website = Alternative Press|date = 27 June 2018}} in the US and SKY in the UK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/american-satan-is-now-available-on-sky/|title=American Satan Is Now Available On Sky!|date=12 June 2018|website=Kerrang.com|access-date=7 June 2023}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thenoisecartel.com/2018/06/11/american-satan-now-available-on-sky-cinema-tv-series-spin-off-paradise-city-set-to-launch/|title = AMERICAN SATAN now available on Sky Cinema; TV series spin-off 'Paradise City' set to launch |website=Thenoisecartel.com|date = 11 June 2018 }}

In 2018, Sumerian won the best independent label award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods in the UK and accepted the award on stage at the O2 in London.{{Cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/winners-metal-hammer-golden-gods/|title=Winners of the Metal Hammer Golden God Awards 2018 Announced|website=Udiscovermusic.com|date=11 June 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/metal-hammer-golden-gods-hammered-out/|title=Metal Hammer Golden Gods hammered out|website=Completemusicupdate.com|access-date=7 June 2023}}

In 2019, they received another "Best Metal Performance" Grammy nomination for Between The Buried And Me.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/between-buried-and-me/243628|title = Between the Buried and Me|website=Grammy.com|date = 23 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/meet-first-time-grammy-nominee-between-buried-and-mes-paul-waggoner|title = Meet First-Time GRAMMY Nominee Paul Waggoner|website=Grammy.com|date = 15 January 2019}}

In 2019, Guitar World listed two Sumerian artists in the top four guitarists of the decade, Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders and female solo artist Nita Strauss,{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/the-20-best-guitarists-of-the-decade|title=The 20 best guitarists of the decade|website=Guitarworld.com|date=30 December 2019}} who in addition to her solo career and being Alice Cooper's guitarist,{{Cite web|url=https://guitargirlmag.com/interviews/nita-strauss-discusses-came-play-alice-cooper-stay-healthy-road/|title = Nita Strauss discusses how she came to play with Alice Cooper, how to stay healthy on the road, and more |website=Guitargirlmag.com|date = 27 November 2017}} also plays the national anthem for the home games for the LA Rams at Sofi Stadium{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nita-strauss-to-set-the-tone-at-los-angeles-rams-home-games-this-season/|title = NITA STRAUSS to 'Set the Tone' at LOS ANGELES RAMS' Home Games This Season|website=Blabbermouth.net|date = 23 August 2020}} and for WWE,{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/nita-strauss-shreds-the-us-national-anthem-at-wwes-nxt-takeover-stand-and-deliver|title=Nita Strauss shreds the US national anthem at WWE's NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver|website=Guitarworld.com|date=8 April 2021}} most recently at WrestleMania 37.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/04/nita-strauss-comments-on-kicking-off-wwe-wrestlemania-37-week/|title = Nita Strauss on Kicking off WrestleMania 37 Week|website=Wrestlinginc.com| date=7 April 2021 }}

In 2020, the label received its first Best Rock Performance Grammy nomination for Bones UK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/bones-uk/252085|title=Bones UK|website=Grammy.com|date=15 December 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/bones-uk-grammy-interview/|title = BONES UK Take 'People Power' to the Grammys - Interview|website = Loudwire| date=24 January 2020 }}

In 2021, Sumerian received the first-ever Grammy nomination in the history of the Recording Academy for a female solo artist in the Best Metal Performance category for Poppy,{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/poppy-first-solo-female-metal-grammy-nominee-out-smash-more-boundaries|title = Poppy: First Solo Female Metal Grammy Nominee is Out to Smash More Boundaries|website=Revolvermag.com|date = February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/poppy/287445|title=Poppy|website=Grammy.com|date=22 April 2021}} who also performed at the premiere ceremony.{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/poppy-play-new-song-2021-grammys-premiere-ceremony/|title=Poppy to Play New Song During Grammys Premiere Ceremony|website=Loudwire|date=14 March 2021 }}

References

External links

[https://www.sumerianmerch.com/ Official website]

Category:Record labels established in 2006

Category:Record labels based in California

Category:Record labels based in London

Category:American independent record labels

Category:Alternative rock record labels

Category:Death metal record labels

Category:Heavy metal record labels

Category:Hardcore record labels

Category:Post-hardcore record labels

Category:Progressive rock record labels