SharpTone Records

SharpTone Records is an American independent record label started on September 11, 2013. The label was founded by Nuclear Blast CEO Markus Staiger and former vice president of Sumerian Records Shawn Keith.

History

Conception and first releases (2013)

The record label was started by Markus Staiger, the current CEO of Nuclear Blast Records and Shawn Keith, the former vice president of Sumerian Records.^[1] The label has been described as an offshoot label of Nuclear Blast which primarily focuses on rock and alternative music, similar to Arising Empire. Arising Empire focuses on metalcore and punk bands.^[2] In an interview, Keith spoke about the label: "Developing this label has been very exciting for me. The opportunity to partner and cultivate new and established artists working toward broadening their global potential is thrilling. SharpTone will continue to diversify and evolve as a brand for music fans to truly identify with. We are not just another record label. We are a new-music company, allowing artists to be as creative and passionate as they choose to be."^[1]

The record label was first hinted at on June 23, 2016,^[3] when several bands shared a mysterious teaser image reading "A New Era of Music Begins..." on their social media. These bands included Attila, Don Broco, Loathe, Miss May I and We Came as Romans.^[4] The first release of the label would be a re-issue of the debut EP Prepare Consume Proceed by UK metal band Loathe less than a month later, but the labels first studio album release would be Attila's sixth album titled Chaos, released November 4 the same year.^[5][6] Other later releases for the year included the American release of Don Broco's Automatic, and a release of Craig Owens new side project, badXchannels, who was also signed later in 2016, with the EP being named WHYDFML. Emmure also signed in 2016.^[7][8]

Releases and signings (2017–present)

The label's roster would increase from nine bands in 2016 to seventeen acts by the end of 2017. They released 12 studio albums from bands including Emmure's Look at Yourself, Loathe's The Cold Sun, While She Sleeps' You Are We, and Miss May I's Shadows Inside to name a few. In 2018, along with signing four new bands including Bleeding Through, the label's first band to move away from the label, Attila, said they wanted absolute creative freedom. That was their reason for going solo without the help of any record label.^[9][10] In 2018 the label issued Don Broco's Technology, Sink the Ship's Persevere, and Bleeding Through's Love Will Kill All among others.^[11][12]

Music

The record label primarily focuses on different subgenres within rock music, more specifically the post-hardcore and progressive metalcore side of rock.^[13] Early signings included Attila,^[14] Emmure,^[8] Currents,^[15] and Loathe.^[16]

Notable artists

Current

Former

Releases

References

1. ^ "SharpTone Records Opens With Attila, Miss May I & We Came as Romans on Roster". Billboard. June 24, 2016. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
2. ^ "Nuclear Blast: Metal record label's 30-year history". loudersound. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
3. ^ "Attila, Miss May I, WCAR rumored to have signed with new label". Lambgoat. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
4. ^ "Multiple metalcore bands have shared this image". Alternative Press. June 24, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
5. ^ "Loathe Re-Release New EP, Prepare Consume Proceed - National Rock Review". www.nationalrockreview.com. July 12, 2016. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
6. ^ "Attila's "Chaos" is as much a celebration as it is a confrontation". Alternative Press. October 27, 2016. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
7. ^ Sayce, Rob (October 31, 2016). "Craig Owens Has A Weird New Project - News - Rock Sound Magazine". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
8. ^ "Emmure drop first single with new lineup, sign deal with SharpTone Records—listen". Alternative Press. October 13, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
9. ^ Robert Pasbani (January 22, 2018). "BLEEDING THROUGH Forging A Comeback, New Album Coming This Year?". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
10. ^ Natasha Heinz (February 13, 2018). "Attila announce they're unsigned, tease new music: 'We can do anything we want'". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
11. ^ Everley, Dave (February 13, 2018). "Technology Sharptone Out Now Bedford Bro-Rock-Ers' Overdone Third Album". Q. Retrieved May 8, 2018. – via PressReader
12. ^ "Persevere - Sink the Ship | Releases". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
13. ^ Caitlyn Ralph (February 10, 2017). "Sharptone Records sign Cardiff heavyweights Holding Absence—watch their new video". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
14. ^ "Attila announce new album, headlining tour". Alternative Press. August 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
15. ^ Lindy Smith (April 7, 2017). "SharpTone Records signs new band and other news you might have missed today". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
16. ^ "Watch Loathe's Crushing Video For New Song 'Dance On My Skin'". Rock Sound Magazine. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
17. ^ "Alpha Wolf Sign to SharpTone Records + Announce New EP 'Fault'". Sound Fiction. 2019-03-22. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
18. ^ "ex-Every Time I Die members & Dillinger Escape Plan's Greg Puciato form new band Better Lovers, share debut single". Archived 2023-04-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
19. ^ "NEWS: Boston Manor sign to SharpTone Records!". Dead Press!. July 23, 2021. Archived from the original on September 26, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
20. ^ "NEWS: Caskets share video for new song, 'Glass Heart'!". Dead Press. 3 December 2020. Archived 2 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine.
21. ^ "Currents Sign With SharpTone Records, Debut "Night Terrors" Video". Theprp.com. 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
22. ^ "Foreign Hands Sign With SharpTone Records, Drop New Metalcore Rager "Chlorine Tears"". No Echo. 2022-08-23. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
23. ^ "Kingdom of Giants Announce First New EP Release in Four years, 'Bleeding Star'". knotfest. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
24. ^ "Japanese metalcore band KNOSIS sign with SharpTone Records, share “FUHAI” video". Idioteq. 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
25. ^ Major, Michael. "Letters Sent Home Release New Single 'Request Denied'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-10-28.
26. ^ "Levels Sign With SharpTone Records, Debut "Pulse" Video". theprp.com. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
27. ^ "OCEAN GROVE Announce Label Launch + Release New Track 'Fly Away'". Good Call Live. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
28. ^ "Metalcore Trio PALEDUSK Get WILD On New Single – Sign to Sharptone Records [Japan]". Unite Asia. April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
29. ^ "【NEWS】オージー産メタルコアバンドPolaris (SharpTone Records)が今週リリースのデビューアルバムから新曲 "LUCID" のMusic Videoを公開" (in Japanese). Alternative Press Japan. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
30. ^ "SharpTone Records signs Vukovi". Lambgoat. 2023-07-28. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
31. ^ "156/Silence sign to SharpTone for expanded edition of new LP (stream a new song)". Brooklyn Vegan. 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
32. ^ Gonzales, Ramon (October 15, 2025). "156/Silence Signs to Pure Noise Records; Debuts New Music "Our Parting Ways"". Knotfest. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
33. ^ "SharpTone Records Announces Signing of ANNISOKAY". Sound Fiction. 2018-07-13. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
34. ^ "Any Given Day Release 'Overpower'". SharpTone Records. 2019-03-15. Retrieved 2019-04-22.^{[dead link]}
35. ^ Blabbermouth.net (February 20, 2026). "August Burns Red returns to Fearless Records, shares video for new single "Behemoth"". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 2026-02-20.
36. ^ "Being As An Ocean start pre-order for deluxe vinyl and release new music video". Frontview Magazine. 2018-07-24. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
37. ^ Magazine, Alternative Press. "Broadside announce Sharptone signing with new song "Foolish Believer"". Alternative Press
38. ^ "Crystal Lake Joins Sharptone". SharpTone Records. 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2018-12-06.^{[dead link]}
39. ^ Emily Garner (April 2, 2026). "Holding Absence release huge new single, Whisper Of A Dream: “It felt like the perfect song to return with”". Kerrang. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
40. ^ "Imminence release awesome new video and other news you might have missed today". Alternative Press. March 31, 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
41. ^ "Make Out Monday Sign To SharpTone Records & Share Music Video for New Single, "Bullet For Your Sweetheart"". The Prelude Press. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
42. ^ "Novelists announce new album 'Noir' - Distorted Sound Magazine". Distorted Sound Magazine. 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
43. ^ "OF MICE & MEN Announces 'Timeless' EP, Drops New Song 'Obsolete'". Blabbermouth.net. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
44. ^ "Of Virtue Sign With SharpTone Records, Debut "Suffer" Music Video". Theprp.com. 2019-01-11. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
45. ^ "Rise Of The Northstar signs with SharpTone Records". Lambgoat. 2018-08-02. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
46. ^ Kennelty, Greg (2025-02-05). "STRAY FROM THE PATH Signs To SharpTone Records, Streams New Single". Metal Injection. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
47. ^ "While She Sleeps announce UK headline tour". loudersound. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
48. ^ "This Is Goodbye - Imminence | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
49. ^ "The Place I Feel Safest - Currents | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
50. ^ Westbrook, Cori (November 30, 2023). "Levels Set to Release New 'Pulse' EP on SharpTone Records". KNOTFEST. Retrieved 2024-12-28.

External links

• Official website