Under One Flag was a British record label from London, which catered to a heavy metal audience, particularly

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an Extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, ...

. They were best known for re-releasing classic heavy metal albums, from the likes of

Venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

and Dark Angel, as well as some original releases from both bands and other heavy metal bands. Releases on

vinyl Vinyl may refer to: Chemistry * Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a particular vinyl polymer * Vinyl cation, a type of carbocation * Vinyl group, a broad class of organic molecules in chemistry * Vinyl polymer, a group of polymers derived from vinyl ...

by Under One Flag are sometimes still much desired collector's items.

History

Under One Flag operated as a subsidiary label for

Music for Nations Music for Nations (MFN) is a British independent record label focusing mainly on rock and metal. Originally a subsidiary of Zomba Records, which was a division of BMG, the label was closed in 2004 and later revived in 2015 by Sony Music Ente ...

, which later took over all Under One Flag's releases and most of the bands they signed. Music For Nations in turn is a subsidiary label of

Zomba Music Group The Zomba Group of Companies (sometimes referred to as Zomba Music Group or just Zomba Group) was a music group and division owned by and operated under Sony Music Entertainment. The division was renamed to Jive Label Group in 2009 and was place ...

. The first official release Under One Flag published was "The Force", from English band Onslaught, in 1986. In this era the CD was making a shift entry in the music world. However, Under One Flag also kept on publishing heavy metal releases on vinyl and even cassette, besides on CD. They also published a number of compilation albums, under the name of "Speed Kills…", followed by any term that would relate to a then popular metal song. In the meanwhile, they also released the third and fourth album of Swedish

black metal Black metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include Tempo#Beats per minute, fast tempos, a Screaming (music)#Black metal, shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted Electric guitar, guitars played with tr ...

band Bathory, which secured their status more and more. This enabled them to sign bands from the likes of

Nuclear Assault Nuclear Assault was an American thrash metal band formed in New York City in 1984. Part of the mid-to-late 1980s thrash metal movement, they were one of the main bands of the genre to emerge from the East Coast along with Overkill, Whiplash, ...

and Forbidden. Under One Flag bought the rights to a number of previously released thrash metal albums, among which a significant part of the catalogue of

Combat Records Combat Records was an American independent record label founded in 1982 and based in New York City. The label was made specifically for heavy metal and punk rock acts. Notable artists include: Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, OZ, ...

. They also re-released the compilation of

Death Death is the end of life; the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. Death eventually and inevitably occurs in all organisms. The remains of a former organism normally begin to decompose sh ...

’s Fate: The Best of Death. In the early 1990s, the popularity of heavy metal rose to a new level. Cult bands reached bigger audiences in the mainstream and parent label Music For Nations took over all activities and pulled the plug on Under One Flag. The last album published by Under One Flag was ‘’Progress of Decadence’’ from Overdose, in 1994. A total number of 232 releases were published by Under One FlagUnder One Flag
on Discogs with a span of thirty one titles.

Catalogue

References

{{Authority control Defunct record labels of the United Kingdom Record labels established in 1986 Record labels disestablished in 1994 Heavy metal record labels 1986 establishments in England 1994 disestablishments in England

History

Catalogue

See also

References