One of the first things that enamored me with Earache is the label’s refusal to fit in or stand on its laurels in its 35 years. In the 80s, Digby took two very different Napalm Death sessions (and line ups) and pulled them together to make “Scum,” and with it birthed grindcore. In late 2010, Dig saw the majesty of Rival Sons that everyone else in the industry had missed, and with it began the last decade of chart success in classic rock at the label. In between there were forays into jungle and hard techno (Ultraviolence were a personal favourite) and the release of an enviable list of seminal death metal albums through the 90s. Godflesh released “Streetcleaner,” arguably the first “post metal” album and influenced a generation. Earache was the first label to do a direct deal with Apple & ITunes cutting out the unnecessary middle men.
May 2022 sees us unveil the label’s latest pivot into the world of trap metal with BVDLVD. Wielding blown out 808s, heavy bass and a vocal dexterity all his own, his debut Earache single “Layin Bricks” drops on May 17th. What has taken me most about trap is how punk rock it is. Artists and scenes grow out of mixtapes, the music’s wilfully hard and uncommercial, disregarding verse chorus verse structures and breaking all “correct” production techniques with 808s and bass running heavily into the red. You can really feel this music in your chest. I’m really excited to share BVDLVD’s new single with you in 2 weeks, but for now check out the links below to some personal favourites – Full Metal and Brazy.
Elsewhere, I’m proud to say we’re pretty close to launching our new on demand vinyl service. I imagine it’ll happen this month and I’ll need your input first so check back next week. Our Easter sale ends this weekend, be sure to pick up anything you want before then (including the 8 shirts below!). We’ve also added every album with an artist beginning with the letter ‘B” to our store and they’re all £3.99 for the next 7 days. Man I loved Beecher back in the day so I’m glad to see they’re available in store -would totally recommend if you like post-hardcore. For fans of Norma Jean, Botch, Will Haven, Hundred Reasons et al.
Tim, Head Of Label
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Presenting London Trap Metal prodigy @BVDLVD, whose new single “LAYIN BRICKS” is out on Earache Records on the 17th of May.
Check out the downloads page for Earache HERE.
Watch Rocket’s acclaimed 2020 interview with BVDLVD HERE.
Randy “Rocket” Cody of TheMetalDen.com has conducted a new video interview with UK trap metal artist BVDLVD (pronounced “BadLad”). They discuss the rapper’s new album titled “Lunatic,” released in 2020 via Moves Recordings.
BVDLVD’s third studio album, “LUNATIC” dropped in June of 2020 and it amassed over 3.5 million streams. The album includes features by LA rapper Lil Darkie, German producer Pulse and a collaboration with Lyrical Lemonade’s latest star boy and 6IX9INE collaborator Jasiah on the track “SHUT DOWN.”
“LUNATIC is certainly an experience, with a caustic atmosphere reveling in dark, murky production. It’s a thrilling roller coaster ride, accompanied by some seismic visuals” – Clash Magazine
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