Immortal Records

Last updated

Immortal Records
Immortal Records logo.jpeg
Founded1990 (1990)
FounderHappy Walters
Amanda Scheer Demme
Defunct2007
StatusDefunct
Distributor(s) Epic (1991–1999)
Virgin (1999–2002)
RED (2003–2007)
Genre
Country of originUnited States
Location Los Angeles, California

Immortal Records was an American independent record label/imprint label based in Los Angeles, California. [1] The company helped launch the careers of such influential acts as Korn, Thirty Seconds To Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had also released soundtracks, including Judgment Night , Spawn , Blade II and Masters of Horror . It was distributed by various labels, including Epic, Virgin and RED Distribution. [2]

Contents

History

Immortal Records was founded in 1991 by Amanda Scheer Demme and Happy Walters. Shortly after its inception, the label signed a three-year deal with Epic Records. The label also renewed its contract with the label in 1994 for two years further. [3]

In 1997, following the expiration of their two-year renewal Epic re-signed a new five-year deal with the label worth $35 million. The deal granted the label more creative freedoms, and around this time the label grew its staff from 15 to 20 employees. [3] However, in 1998 the head of Epic, Richard Griffiths, was fired from his position, and relations between Epic and Immortal began to sour. They eventually agreed to separate, with Epic retaining the rights to Korn and Incubus. [4]

In September 1999, Immortal signed a five-year deal with Virgin Records. Virgin's deal with the label was intended to help the label gain new rock acts. [5] The first signing under the new deal was punk rock band U.S. Crush. [4] The deal was severed in late 2002 after the exits of the executives who signed the label's 1999 distribution deal. Virgin kept Thirty Seconds To Mars on the label. [6]

In August 2003, Immortal signed a deal with RED Distribution. [6]

The company ceased operations in November 2007. [7] [8] Despite this, its name was still used on albums by Incubus and Thirty Seconds To Mars after the label's closure. The Escape Frame's self-titled album, which was intended to be released on Immortal prior to it going defunct, was released through End Sounds in September 2008. [9]

Discography

DistributorYearRelease DateArtist / BandAlbumBillboard 200 Position RIAA Certifications
Epic 1993May 4, 1993 Funkdoobiest Which Doobie U B? #56 [10]
September 14, 1993Various Artists Judgement Night soundtrack #17 [11] US: Gold
1994July 12, 1994 April's Motel Room Black 14
RCA April 26, 1994 Volume 10 Hip-Hopera
EpicOctober 4, 1994Various Artists Love and a .45 soundtrack
October 11, 1994 Korn Korn #72 [12] US: 2× Platinum
November 15, 1994Various Artists B-Ball's Best Kept Secret
1995July 4, 1995Funkdoobiest Brothas Doobie #115 [10]
October 31, 1995Various ArtistsThe Next Chapter: Strictly Underground
1996April 3, 1996 Far Tin Cans With Strings To You
August 20, 1996 The Urge Receiving The Gift of Flavour
October 15, 1996Korn Life Is Peachy #3 [12] US: 2× Platinum
1997January 7, 1997Incubus Enjoy Incubus (EP)
July 29, 1997Various Artists Spawn: The Album #7 [13] US: Gold
September 9, 1997Incubus S.C.I.E.N.C.E. US: Gold
1998March 10, 1998Far Water & Solutions
April 21, 1998The Urge Master of Styles #111 [14]
August 18, 1998Korn Follow The Leader #1 [12] US: 5× Platinum
September 8, 1998 Bare Jr. Boo-Tay
October 13, 1998Various Artists Slam: The Soundtrack #84 [13]
Goodness Anthem
1999March 30, 1999Various Artists Family Values Tour '98 #7US: Gold
October 26, 1999Incubus Make Yourself #47 [15] US: 2× Platinum
November 16, 1999Korn Issues #1 [12] US: 3× Platinum
Virgin 2000July 18, 2000The Urge Too Much Stereo #200 [14]
October 10, 2000Bare Jr. Brainwasher
November 7, 2000 Snot Strait Up #56
2001April 11, 2001 U.S. Crush U.S. Crush
July 3, 2001Various Artists Kiss of the Dragon soundtrack
August 14, 2001 No One No One
EpicOctober 23, 2001Incubus Morning View #2 [15] US: 2× Platinum
VirginNovember 9, 2001 Transmatic Transmatic
2002February 26, 2002 Switched Subject To Change
March 19, 2002Various Artists Blade II soundtrack #26 [16]
EpicJune 11, 2002Korn Untouchables #2 [12] US: Platinum
VirginAugust 27, 2002 Thirty Seconds to Mars 30 Seconds to Mars #107 [17]
RED 2003May 20, 20037th StandardFire From the Sky
November 11, 2003Various Artists A Santa Cause: It's a Punk
Rock Christmas
EpicNovember 21, 2003Korn Take A Look In The Mirror #9 [12] US: Platinum
2004February 3, 2004Incubus A Crow Left of the Murder... #2 [15] US: Platinum
October 5, 2004Korn Greatest Hits Vol. 1 #4 [12] US: Platinum
REDOctober 19, 2004 Mix Master Mike Bangzilla
2005February 8, 2005 Scary Kids Scaring Kids After Dark (EP)
March 22, 2005 A Change of Pace An Offer You Can't Refuse
May 10, 2005 Walking Ashland Composure
June 28, 2005Scary Kids Scaring Kids The City Sleeps in Flames
VirginAugust 30, 2005 Thirty Seconds to Mars A Beautiful Lie #36 [17] US: Platinum
REDOctober 18, 2005Various Artists Masters of Horror soundtrack
Epic2006May 9, 2006Korn Live & Rare
REDJune 13, 2006Walking AshlandTelescopes (EP)
thebleedingalarmBeauty In Destruction
June 20, 2006 Agent Sparks Red Rover
July 11, 2006The FinalsPlan Your Getaway
August 15, 2006A Change Of PacePrepare The Masses#155 [18]
August 22, 2006 Deadsy Phantasmagore #176 [19]
October 3, 2006 Brazil The Philosophy of Velocity
EpicNovember 24, 2006Incubus Light Grenades #1 [15] US: Gold
REDDecember 5, 2006Various Artists A Santa Cause: It's a Punk
Rock Christmas Volume 2
2007March 20, 2007 Hot Rod Circuit The Underground Is a Dying Breed
April 3, 2007 Tyler Read Only Rock and Roll Can Save Us Now
April 17, 2007Walking AshlandThe Well
August 21, 2007 Adema Kill the Headlights
RED/RCAAugust 28, 2007Scary Kids Scaring Kids Scary Kids Scaring Kids #80 [20]
Epic2009June 16, 2009IncubusMonuments and Melodies#5 [15] US: Gold
VirginDecember 8, 2009Thirty Seconds To Mars This Is War #19 [17] US: Gold
Epic2011July 12, 2011Incubus If Not Now, When? #2 [15]
Virgin2013May 17, 2013Thirty Seconds To Mars Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams #6 [17]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incubus (band)</span> American rock band

Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer José Pasillas while enrolled in Calabasas High School and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppel; the latter two were eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore, respectively. Nicole Row replaced Kenney in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virgin Records</span> British record label

Virgin Records is a British record label owned by Universal Music Group. They were originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. They grew to be a worldwide success over time, with the success of platinum performers Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Devo, Tangerine Dream, Genesis, Phil Collins, OMD, the Human League, Culture Club, Simple Minds, the Spice Girls, Lenny Kravitz, the Sex Pistols, and Mike Oldfield among others, meaning that by the time it was sold, it was regarded as a major label, alongside other large international independents such as A&M and Island Records.

<i>S.C.I.E.N.C.E.</i> 1997 studio album by Incubus

S.C.I.E.N.C.E. is the second studio album by American rock band Incubus. It was released on September 9, 1997, by Epic and Immortal Records. The album was certified gold by the RIAA, and is the second and final release to feature Gavin Koppel, who first appeared on the 1997 Enjoy Incubus EP. It has been occasionally considered the band's proper debut album, due to the nature of their independent release Fungus Amongus.

<i>Fungus Amongus</i> 1995 studio album by Incubus

Fungus Amongus is the debut studio album by American rock band Incubus, released on November 1, 1995, by Chillum Records, Incubus' own independent label. It was later re-released under Epic and Immortal Records on November 7, 2000, after popular demand.

Doghouse Records is an American record label currently based in New York City. The company was founded by Dirk Hemsath in late 1987 while living in Toledo, Ohio, in order to release the recordings of his hardcore band, Majority of One. The label originally specialized in midwest emo and melodic hardcore, though it eventually incorporated punk rock, pop punk, indie rock and alternative rock artists.

<i>Enjoy Incubus</i> 1997 EP by Incubus

Enjoy Incubus is the second EP and major label debut by American rock band Incubus. It was released on January 7, 1997, by Epic and Immortal Records. It contained re-recordings of songs that were featured on their previous, independent releases Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout Root Beer and Fungus Amongus, as well the previously unreleased song "Version" and an untitled hidden track at the end of '"Hilikus". It was the first appearance on a release by DJ Lyfe, who added turntable scratches to the Fungus Amongus songs, and also supplied saxophone samples. This release was also noted for its introduction of 'Chuck', the mysterious mustachioed man who has become an icon for Incubus's early work. It is also the only Incubus release to feature a Parental Advisory label, despite many of their other albums also containing profanity.

Vagrant Records is an American record label based in California. It was founded in 1995 by Rich Egan and Jon Cohen. The label focuses on rock, but features artists in a variety of other genres including folk, soul, electronic, and pop. It is home to artists such as The 1975, Death Spells, Eels, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, CRUISR, Active Child, PJ Harvey, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, James Vincent McMorrow, Black Joe Lewis, Wake Owl, Blitzen Trapper, and Bombay Bicycle Club. Originally, Vagrant Records was mostly focused on emo bands such as Dashboard Confessional, Saves the Day, The Get Up Kids, Senses Fail, and Alkaline Trio. The label is considered one of the pre-eminent labels of the emo music scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirty Seconds to Mars</span> American rock band from Los Angeles

Thirty Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1998. The band consists of brothers Jared Leto and Shannon Leto. During the course of its existence, it has undergone various line-up changes with the Leto brothers being the only consistent members.

<i>30 Seconds to Mars</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Thirty Seconds to Mars

30 Seconds to Mars is the debut studio album by American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars. It was first released on August 27, 2002, by Immortal Records and distributed by Virgin Records. The album was produced by Bob Ezrin, Brian Virtue, and Thirty Seconds to Mars, and was recorded in rural Wyoming during 2001 and early 2002. It had been in the works for a couple of years, with lead vocalist Jared Leto writing the majority of the songs.

The 1998Family Values Tour was the first edition of the critically acclaimed fall music tour that initially combined nu metal, alternative metal, and rap acts. The tour was created and headlined by Korn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waking Ashland</span> American rock band

Waking Ashland was an American rock band from San Diego, California. Formed in 2003, they were signed to Tooth & Nail Records and Immortal Records. In all the group released two EPs and two full-length albums before their disestablishment in 2007. Their final lineup consisted of singer/keyboardist Jonathan Jones, guitarist Ryan Lallier, bassist Nate Harold and drummer Tim Very.

<i>Popaganda</i> 2006 studio album by Head Automatica

Popaganda is the second studio album by American rock band Head Automatica, released on June 6, 2006 through Warner Bros. Records. While touring in support of their debut studio album Decadence (2004), frontman Daryl Palumbo's Crohn's disease saw the cancellation of some shows throughout 2004 and 2005. By the middle of 2005, they had accumulated 40 songs; between October 2005 and January 2006, the band recorded their next album with producer Howard Benson. Sessions were held at two studios in California: Bay 7 in Valley Village and Sparky Dark in Calabasas. Popaganda is a power pop album that Palumbo said was influenced by the work of the Beatles and Elvis Costello.

<i>Decemberunderground</i> 2006 studio album by AFI

Decemberunderground is the seventh studio album by American rock band AFI, released on June 6, 2006, through Interscope Records. The album was supported by three singles, "Miss Murder", "Love Like Winter", and "The Missing Frame".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capricorn (A Brand New Name)</span> 2002 single by Thirty Seconds to Mars

"Capricorn (A Brand New Name)" is the debut song by American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars. The song was released by Immortal Records on July 23, 2002, as the lead single from the band's self-titled debut album. The song was written by Jared Leto and was produced by Bob Ezrin, Brian Virtue and 30 Seconds to Mars. According to Jared Leto, the song is about a desire for renewal. "Capricorn (A Brand New Name)" first appearance was on the compilation Rock Tune Up #249 released by The Album Network on April 5, 2002.

<i>If You Speak Any Faster</i> 2005 studio album by June

If You Speak Any Faster is the debut studio album released by American rock band June. It was released in August 2005 through Victory Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrive Music</span> American record label

Thrive Music is a United States–based record label founded in Los Angeles, California, by music industry entrepreneur Ricardo Vinas.

<i>Agony & Irony</i> 2008 studio album by Alkaline Trio

Agony & Irony is the sixth studio album and major label debut by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released July 1, 2008, on Epic Records. Produced by Josh Abraham, the album was preceded by the single "Help Me".

<i>Finch</i> (EP) 2008 EP by Finch

Finch is the self-titled second EP by American post-hardcore band Finch. It is the first release since the band's hiatus in 2006.

Over It was a rock band based in Orange County, California. Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, the band formed in 1998 to play pop punk. Most recently signed to Virgin Records, Over It is currently unsigned and inactive.

<i>This Is War</i> 2009 studio album by Thirty Seconds to Mars

This Is War is the third studio album by American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, released on December 8, 2009 through Virgin Records. It was the band's first studio album in four years, after the breakthrough of their previous work, A Beautiful Lie (2005). The album was recorded over a span of two years while the band was in the midst of a legal dispute with Virgin over an alleged breach-of-contract. The case was later settled in April 2009, and the band signed to EMI later that year.

References

  1. "Billboard" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. April 19, 1997. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  2. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. August 2, 2003.
  3. 1 2 Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. April 19, 1997.
  4. 1 2 Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 4, 1999.
  5. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 23, 2001.
  6. 1 2 Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. August 2, 2003.
  7. Paul, Aubin (November 1, 2007). "Immortal Records ceases operations". Punknews.org. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  8. Archive-Chris-Harris. "30 Seconds To Mars' Jared Leto Says $30 Million Lawsuit Against Band Is 'Ridiculously Overblown'". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  9. Paul, Aubin (September 13, 2008). "The Escape Frame set for release after full-year delay". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Funkdoobiest". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  11. "Judgment Night / Soundtrack". Billboard.elpee.jp. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Korn". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Soundtrack : Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  14. 1 2 "The Urge". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Incubus". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  16. "'Blade' Soundtrack Wields Wu-Tang Members". Billboard.com. November 5, 2004. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Thirty Seconds To Mars". Billboard. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  18. "'Back To Basics' Takes Christina Aguilera Back To 'Billboards #1". MTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  19. "Deadsy". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  20. "Scary Kids Scaring Kids / Scary Kids Scaring Kids". Billboard.elpee.jp. Retrieved April 3, 2022.