British independent label Earache Records has purchased the majority of beloved American black metal group Nachtmystium’s back-catalogue.
The label will acquire the rights to five studio albums, four EPs, a demos collection, and a remixes and rarities collection previously released via YouTube. Nachtmystium disbanded following the release of 2014 album The World We Left Behind.
Earache Records expressed excitement about the transaction.
“We’ve been fans of Blake’s music for a long time now and I am excited in the fact that we are now the official home of his extensive catalog of some of the finest American black metal ever,” Earache spokesman Al Dawson said.
Nachtmystium’s single permanent member, co-founder Blake Judd, played an instrumental role in both the band’s rise and ultimate demise. He near single-handedly guided the group away from pure black metal and toward a psychedelic, synth-tinged sound, crafting multiple highly acclaimed albums from 2002 through 2014. However, Judd also stained the group’s reputation with his controversial antics, battling drug addiction and engaging in criminal business enterprises and physical theft.
Judd issued a broad statement in conjunction with the Earache purchase announcement, addressing his past issues and current state of affairs.
“I am proud to announce a new cooperation in the lengthy release history of Nachtmystium. I have teamed up with the folks at the legendary, UK-based metal label, Earache Records, to reissue the majority of Nachtmystium’s back catalog recordings. Earache will also be releasing a brand new compilation LP of unreleased studio tracks, covers and remixes, titled ‘Retox’. Some of the back catalog titles will also feature brand new artwork, never-before-seen photographs, and all albums will feature extensive liner notes I have written specifically for each release. These specific reissues will stand as the final versions of these recordings to be released, so I have worked closely with each artist featured on these releases and am currently working closely with Earache’s production department to ensure that these reissues will honor each record appropriately and that we have created something special for the fans who choose to purchase these new (and final) versions of these albums and EPs.”
“Many people on the internet, understandably due to some issues that occurred in the past that I am very ashamed of, will be quick to jump on me personally and most likely Earache as well for announcing new releases without having directly addressed and taken action regarding the past issues mentioned above. Of course, what is being referred to here, is the issue of unfulfilled orders. When these releases have been actually scheduled and given proper release dates, another press release will go out and within this will be an e-mail address created specifically for this project and detailed instructions on how to receive records/CDs from me directly if you, at any point in time, ordered a record, t-shirt, etc. and did not receive the item(s). More information concerning this will be in the press release announcing the official release dates for these recordings.
“Thank you all for your patience and I do hope to make things right with everyone I can who fell victim to my addiction issues by not receiving orders for music or merchandise. I intend on giving away every single record and CD I receive of these reissues if that’s what it takes to make things right with the fans whom I wronged and did not fulfil orders for.”
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