Sony-owned distribution firm The Orchard has acquired rock/metal label Shrapnel Records’ historic catalogue.
Shrapnel Records was launched in 1980 by producer Mike Varney as the first dedicated metal label, predating successors Metal Blade and Megaforce and signing guitarists including Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Richie Kotzen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman.
The Orchard will now oversee digital and physical distribution for the label, making Shrapnel’s 3,000-song catalog available for streaming for the first time, including releases by Chris Duarte (Lucky 13), Paul Gilbert (Stone Pushing Uphill Man), and Indigenous (Time Is Coming).
In addition, a third of the 322 album titles included in the deal will be made available digitally for the first time.
“The distribution landscape has changed dramatically in the last ten years, requiring greater staffing with expertise in digital distribution,” says Varney.
“Although the Shrapnel Label Group will continue making new records, the expanded distribution and accompanying administration of the back catalog was something we felt could be best served by a larger company. As a pioneer in digital distribution with a tremendous track record of more than fifteen years, The Orchard was in a stronger position to effectively realize this for our catalogue.”
Varney founded Shrapnel Records when he was 22 years old.
By then he was already a fixture on the San Francisco scene, having been a member of The Nuns – one of first punk bands in the United States – played guitar in the Rocky Sullivan Band with Quicksilver Messenger Service guitarist, John Cipollina, and co-authored the Rock Opera “Rock Justice” (EMI Records) with Jefferson Starship vocalist, Marty Balin.
“The Shrapnel Label Group was the first American label dedicated to metal and has pioneered the development of guitar-centric records,” says Jason Pascal, VP of Catalog Development and Associate General Counsel at The Orchard.
“To get to work with a catalog of this size and scope is humbling and inspiring, and I couldn’t be happier that The Orchard will now serve as the steward for Shrapnel’s legacy.”Music Business Worldwide
