Do major labels have any business dealing with metal?
I think so. I think they have more of a handle on it now that they did before. It’s all in how they put it together. I mean, Pantera was on a major. They released their most important records on a major and they were kind of just put out there. There wasn’t a big crossover promotional campaign. It wasn’t like [the label] was suggesting that someone needed a stylist or wardrobe person. If they enable bands to do what they want to do, and just get their music out there, I think it could be successful and healthy. Look at Lamb of God. Now that’s a band that’s signed to a major and made a record that was still very heavy and didn’t deviate that much from they did before. The band and the label seem pretty happy with the way that relationship has turned out. So I think it can work. As far as extreme death metal and grindcore on major labels, probably not, ultimately. I’d be very surprised if we ever see a straight, pure death metal band on a major label again. John Peel wrote the introducti
