Influential label Hydra Head Records announces its “imminent demise”

Hydra Head Records founder and owner Aaron Turner—also the former guitarist of the groundbreaking post-metal band Isis—announced the label’s “imminent demise” today. In a statement, Turner said that Hydra Head’s death has been “slow and painful,” and that the label’s “unwillingness to compromise [its] aesthetic standards, a tendency towards releasing challenging (i.e. unmarketable) artists, and the steady decline of the music industry in general” are among the reasons for his decision.
Since opening operations in 1993, Hydra Head has been at the forefront of experimental metal, hardcore, rock, noise, and ambient music. Besides Isis, the bands that have seen releases on Hydra Head comprise a staggering who’s who of underground music over the past 20 years, including Neurosis, Pelican, Big Business, Cave In, Botch, Converge, Sunn O))), Today Is The Day, Boris, Jesu, Merzbow, Lustmord, and Torche. Besides being a purveyor of innovative sounds, the label is known for its elaborate packaging and design.