Label Profile
Relapse Records
Pennsylvania
Profiled by Clay Jarvis
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Motown. Sub Pop. Epitaph. Relapse. All labels which, during their heyday, gained the exposure and success required to transform their monikers into adjectives. The “Motown Sound”, “Sub Pop Sound” and “Epitaph Sound” all developed around a catalytic artist or two, generating sales through imitation and a small roster of likeminded producers. They also became tired (Epitaph), dated (Sub Pop) and obsolete (Motown). After nearly twelve years, the “Relapse Sound” is constantly being redefined and steadily improving, ensuring that the label will be an influence and a leader in the metal community for years to come. Relapse’s heyday is now.

Formed in 1990 by Matthew Jacobson, Relapse was initially an outlet for Midwestern punk and hardcore. After a handful of 7”s, the label turned its eye toward extreme metal, signing and releasing albums by Suffocation, Incantation and Deceased. In 1992, Jacobson joined forces with grindcore aficionado Bill Yurkiewicz. This partnership expanded Relapse’s palette, and the label began courting and signing bands of a more savage, gory and insane variety. 1992 also saw the birth of Relapse’s experimental/ambient/noise imprint, Release Entertainment, which has released albums by Merzbow, Rapoon and Robert Rich.

While Release is an entirely separate entity, its spirit of experimentation and boundary-destruction has infected its mother company. Relapse has grown out of its death/gore/grind beginnings to become home to a number of the extreme underground’s most groundbreaking bands. 2002 has already seen the release of mind-altering music by Burnt By the Sun and Mastodon, and albums from Origin, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Today is the Day are on their way. With a roster that drips with talent and innovation and a vision for the future that is ever-expanding, Relapse is as healthy, significant and visible as it has ever been. And they still don’t have a band that sounds like Mudhoney.

Label Roster: Nasum, Nile, Amorphis, Neurosis, Burnt By the Sun, Pig Destroyer, Skinnless, Soilent Green, Dying Fetus, Origin, Cephalic Carnage, Incantation, Exhumed, Dillinger Escape Plan, Today is the Day, High On Fire, Mastodon, Benumb, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Mortician, Bongzilla, Disrupt, Phobia, Suffocation, and Uphill Battle.

Ten Essential Releases:
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Calculating Infinity
Nasum - Human 2.0
Nile - Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ka
Brutal Truth - Kill Trend Suicide
Suffocation - Human Waste
Exit-13 - Ethos Musick
Pig Destroyer - Prowler in the Yard
Human Remains - Where Were You When
Incantation - Onward to Golgotha
Neurosis - Times of Grace