Everblack Industries

Everblack Industries was a music-label imprint associated with Shadows Fall, the American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts. The label was created in connection with the band’s transition away from Atlantic Records and was used for the release of Retribution, the group’s sixth studio album, in September 2009. Its launch was structured through a partnership involving Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group, Ferret Music, and ChannelZERO Entertainment, while Spinefarm Records handled the album’s United Kingdom release. The label therefore appears to have functioned primarily as a project-specific or artist-controlled release vehicle rather than as a broad, independently documented catalogue company. The available reference material identifies Retribution as its principal release and does not establish a larger roster of artists, a standalone headquarters, a separately marketed consumer brand, or a continuing corporate operation. Everblack Industries’ role was tied to Shadows Fall’s post-Atlantic strategy: after the band’s 2007 major-label album Threads of Life received limited continuing label support and Atlantic subsequently sought a more commercial direction for the follow-up, the group declined that approach and was released from the label. Retribution was produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris and was issued in North America on September 15, 2009. The album reached number 34 on the Billboard 200 and number three on the U.S. Hard Rock chart, according to the cited Shadows Fall reference material. It was supported by touring in North America, Canada, South America, and the 2010 Rockstar Mayhem Festival, although those activities were undertaken by Shadows Fall rather than documented as separate Everblack Industries campaigns. There is insufficient reliable information in the supplied material to determine whether Everblack Industries remained active after the Retribution release cycle, whether it released other artists, or whether it continued as a formal label entity. It is consequently best understood as a short-lived or narrowly scoped label imprint created to give Shadows Fall greater control over a major album release while retaining distribution and marketing support from established music-industry partners.

Everblack Industries emerged in 2009 as part of Shadows Fall’s effort to change its recording and release arrangements after its period with Atlantic Records. Shadows Fall had signed with Atlantic in December 2005 and issued Threads of Life through the label in April 2007. Although that album reached number 46 on the Billboard 200, the band’s principal supporters at Atlantic were later laid off, reducing the label’s attention to the project. Atlantic also wanted the band’s next album to adopt a more commercial direction. Shadows Fall rejected that approach and was subsequently dropped by the label. The band responded by creating Everblack Industries in conjunction with Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group, Ferret Music, and ChannelZERO Entertainment. The arrangement combined an artist-associated imprint with the infrastructure of established music companies. Everblack Industries was used for Retribution, Shadows Fall’s sixth studio album, released on September 15, 2009. The album was produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris and represented a return to a more self-directed release strategy. Its United Kingdom edition was issued through Spinefarm Records. Retribution performed strongly in the U.S. market, debuting at number 34 on the Billboard 200 and number three on the Hard Rock chart. The album’s release was followed by extensive touring, including the Shock & Raw North American tour, Shadows Fall’s first headlining tour of Canada, a South American tour, and an appearance on the 2010 Rockstar Mayhem Festival. These activities increased exposure for the album and the band, but the available material does not identify them as independently branded Everblack Industries campaigns. The reference material does not document a substantial artist roster, additional label imprints, a distinct corporate headquarters, or later catalogue activity for Everblack Industries. It also does not establish a formal executive team or a continuing operating status. The label is therefore most securely characterized as a narrowly focused, artist-associated imprint created for Shadows Fall’s 2009 release rather than as a comprehensively documented independent label with a broad commercial operation.

• 2009

  Everblack Industries established

  [1]Shadows Fallen.wikipedia.org

  Shadows Fall created Everblack Industries as part of a new release arrangement following its departure from Atlantic Records. The imprint was formed in conjunction with Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group, Ferret Music, and ChannelZERO Entertainment.

• 2009

  Retribution released

  [1]Shadows Fallen.wikipedia.org

  Shadows Fall issued its sixth studio album, Retribution, through Everblack Industries on September 15, 2009. Spinefarm Records handled the United Kingdom release.

• 2009

  Retribution achieved U.S. chart success

  [1]Shadows Fallen.wikipedia.org

  Retribution debuted at number 34 on the Billboard 200 and number three on the U.S. Hard Rock chart, according to the cited reference material.

An artist-controlled heavy metal record-label imprint established to support Shadows Fall’s independent post-major-label release strategy.

• Studio album · 2009

  Retribution

  Retribution is the principal documented release associated with Everblack Industries. It is Shadows Fall’s sixth studio album, produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris and released in the United States on September 15, 2009. The album continued the band’s heavy and guitar-driven metal approach after its major-label period and received positive critical attention. It reached number 34 on the Billboard 200 and number three on the U.S. Hard Rock chart. The British release was issued through Spinefarm Records.

• 2009Retribution release campaign

  United States · United Kingdom

  Everblack Industries supported the release of Shadows Fall’s Retribution through a partnership with Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group, Ferret Music, and ChannelZERO Entertainment. Spinefarm Records released the album in the United Kingdom. The wider promotional cycle included music media exposure and touring by Shadows Fall.

  Outcome. The album reached number 34 on the Billboard 200 and number three on the U.S. Hard Rock chart.

  Source

• 2009

  Adopt an artist-controlled label arrangementStrategy

  Background

  After Atlantic Records sought a more commercial direction for Shadows Fall’s follow-up to Threads of Life and subsequently ended its relationship with the band, Shadows Fall pursued a different release structure.

  Action taken

  The band created Everblack Industries and partnered with Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group, Ferret Music, and ChannelZERO Entertainment to release Retribution.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement enabled the release of Retribution in 2009, followed by strong U.S. chart results and an extensive touring cycle. The supplied sources do not establish whether the imprint continued beyond this project.

  Source

1. 1Shadows Fallen.wikipedia.org