Metal music recording and production in 1980s and 1990s Germany

What is it about?

This article gives an overview of the main record labels, recording studios and music producers for metal music in (West Germany) in the 1980s and 1990s. In stark contrast to the common notion of the recording industry (and record labels) as the enemy, selling music for their profit and manipulating artists and fans, the study finds that the early metal scene relied on the community-oriented work of independent record labels, producers and studios.

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Photo by Lee Campbell on Unsplash

Photo by Lee Campbell on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Little has been written about metal music in Germany, even though it is a significant subculture in the country and is widely listened to inland and abroad. This article tracks the structural origins of the metal industry that has helped artists to flourish.