EMP Label Group, also known as Ellefson Music Productions, is an American record label formed in October 2015, which was founded by former
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along wit ...
bassist
David Ellefson.
History

In October 2015 it was announced that Ellefson had launched a record label and production company,
Ellefson Music Productions
David Warren Ellefson (born November 12, 1964) is an American musician, best known for his long tenure as the bassist for thrash metal band Megadeth.
Ellefson initially became an accomplished bassist and honed his songwriting skills while leadin ...
, also known as EMP Label Group, and would release ''In Your Face'', the debut EP from Phoenix-based all-girl Pop-Punk group
Doll Skin, a band Ellefson also produced, in conjunction with
Megaforce Records in North America, and
Cargo Records in Europe.
The EP was released October 30 in North America, and December 18 in Europe, and re-released as an LP titled In Your Face (Again) in March 2016 via
eOne Distribution. The singles from the LP received airplay on many prominent stations in the US and Europe, including
Rodney Bingenheimer's weekly show on influential LA Rock station
KROQ.
It was also announced, via social media, that Ellefson had tapped former major label A&R Scout, Marketing Exec, and
Corporate Punishment Records
Corporate Punishment Records (abbreviated CPR) is a Los Angeles-based independent record label. The company was formed in 2004 by Thom Hazaert and Eric Nielsen, also co-founders of Loudside.com and Total Assault Street Teams. The label's most pr ...
and THC : Music President
Thom Hazaert, known for his work with artists including
Bleed the Sky,
Chimaira,
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rap rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Its lineup consists of lead vocalist Fred Durst, drummer John Otto, guitarist Wes Borland, turntablist DJ Lethal and bassist Sam Rivers. The band's music is marked by D ...
,
Ghost Machine
Ghost Machine was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, known for featuring two members from Motograter, vocalist Ivan Moody, also vocalist for Five Finger Death Punch, and drummer Chris "Crispy" Binns, as well as John Stevens of ...
(featuring
Ivan Moody of
Five Finger Death Punch),
Black Light Burns,
American Head Charge,
Depswa,
Bumblefoot,
Staind
Staind ( ) is an American rock band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Johnny April, and dr ...
, and more, to oversee Marketing, A&R, and operations, and several additional releases would be announced for 2016.
Since forming in 2015, EMP Label Group has become a major independent label, securing distribution from
eOne Distribution in North America, and SPV GMBH in Europe, with a large Rock and Metal roster spread among several imprints including EMP Label Group (
Ellefson Music Productions
David Warren Ellefson (born November 12, 1964) is an American musician, best known for his long tenure as the bassist for thrash metal band Megadeth.
Ellefson initially became an accomplished bassist and honed his songwriting skills while leadin ...
in Europe), and
EMP Underground
EMP Label Group, also known as Ellefson Music Productions, is an American record label formed in October 2015, which was founded by former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson.
History
In October 2015 it was announced that Ellefson had launched a re ...
, including
Cage9, Another Lost Year,
Dead by Wednesday
Dead by Wednesday is an American heavy metal band from New Haven, Connecticut, formed in 2006. , Even The Dead Love A Parade (Featuring Stevie Benton of
Drowning Pool), Arise in Chaos, Green Death,
Helstar,
Ancient,
Heaven Below
Heaven Below is an American hard rock band based in Los Angeles. The band's debut album ''Countdown to Devil'' was released March 2009.
History
The band was formed in late 2007 by Patrick Kennison (Union Underground), Marty O'Brien (Disturbed ...
(Featuring Patrick Kennison of
The Union Underground),
Semblant
Semblant is a Brazilian melodic death metal
Melodic death metal (also referred to as melodeath) is a subgenre of death metal that employs highly melodic guitar riffs, often borrowing from traditional heavy metal (including New Wave of Briti ...
, Machinage,
Chuck Mosley, formerly of
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before settling on the current name in July 1983, the band performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man. Bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist/r ...
, Apollo Under Fire (Featuring Peter Klett formerly of
Candlebox),
Your Chance to Die
Your Chance to Die is an American melodic death metal band from Columbia, South Carolina, formed in 2007.
Background
The band started in 2007 in Columbia, South Carolina, with the lineup of Missi Avila (vocals) and Coca (guitars), Chase Crouch ...
,
Solus Deus
Solus Deus was a death metal supergroup project from Orange County, California, United States. All of its musicians have been in other bands, such as Bleed the Sky, Living Sacrifice, Chimaira, Time Spent Burning, The Elite, and Once to Die. The ...
and many more.
Ellefson also appears on a recurring segment "Mandatory Megadeth" on Hazaert's
Dash Radio show AM/PM WITH THOM HAZAERT, and is a frequent guest, often discussing EMP, DOLL SKIN, and their various collaborations.
In August 2016, Orange county hard rockers Behind The Fallen signed a deal with EMP Label Group.
Subsidiaries / imprints
In 2016, EMP announced the formation of EMP UNDERGROUND, an imprint featuring more "extreme, subversive, and underground" artists with a roster that includes
Solus Deus
Solus Deus was a death metal supergroup project from Orange County, California, United States. All of its musicians have been in other bands, such as Bleed the Sky, Living Sacrifice, Chimaira, Time Spent Burning, The Elite, and Once to Die. The ...
, Skumlove,
Ancient, Your Chance to Die, Killing The Messenger, and Helstar.
The label has also released a compilation of EMP and Unsigned artists called ''EMP UNDERGROUND Volume One''.
Additional imprints include Hazaert's THC MUSIC, which has released or co-released LP's from
Chuck Mosley and
Dead By Wednesday
Dead by Wednesday is an American heavy metal band from New Haven, Connecticut, formed in 2006. . The label also reformed and relaunched
Combat Records, which was home to Ellefson's former band Megadeth, where they released all of the Megadeth albums up till ''
Countdown to Extinction''.
Artists
Current
*
A Killer's Confession
*
Ancient
* Another Lost Year
* Apollo Under Fire
* Arise in Chaos
*
Autograph
* Behind the Fallen
* Broken Teeth
*
Cage9
*
Chuck Mosley
*
Dead by Wednesday
Dead by Wednesday is an American heavy metal band from New Haven, Connecticut, formed in 2006.
*
Doll Skin
*
Doyle
* Even the Dead Love a Parade
*
Flipp
* Green Death
* Hail Sagan
*
Heaven Below
Heaven Below is an American hard rock band based in Los Angeles. The band's debut album ''Countdown to Devil'' was released March 2009.
History
The band was formed in late 2007 by Patrick Kennison (Union Underground), Marty O'Brien (Disturbed ...
*
Helstar
*
Kik Tracee
*
Killer Dwarfs
* Killing the Messenger
* Machinage
*
Mark Slaughter
*
Motograter
*
Ron Keel
*
Semblant
Semblant is a Brazilian melodic death metal
Melodic death metal (also referred to as melodeath) is a subgenre of death metal that employs highly melodic guitar riffs, often borrowing from traditional heavy metal (including New Wave of Briti ...
* Skum Love
* Sunflower Dead
*
Solus Deus
Solus Deus was a death metal supergroup project from Orange County, California, United States. All of its musicians have been in other bands, such as Bleed the Sky, Living Sacrifice, Chimaira, Time Spent Burning, The Elite, and Once to Die. The ...
*
The Letter Black
*
Your Chance to Die
Your Chance to Die is an American melodic death metal band from Columbia, South Carolina, formed in 2007.
Background
The band started in 2007 in Columbia, South Carolina, with the lineup of Missi Avila (vocals) and Coca (guitars), Chase Crouch ...
References
External links
Official website*
*
{{Authority control
American record labels
Heavy metal record labels