The Return... I run an Underground Heavy Metal label, AMA!

What is your favorite MANOWAR album?

Kings of Metal of course.

The correct answer is you love them all equally as if they were your children but that's also acceptable. Also a less serious question, for a band what are the advantages of being on a small label compared to just doing everything yourself?

It depends. Most bands don't want to DIY everything, as it's a lot of work. The main added value is experience, established relationships, and having another avenue to promote your music through.

True story. I live a block away from their guitarist.

My pediatrician is the lead singer's brother in law

For those that don't know, Eric has a bowhunting DVD out. Wild life, wild times....

http://www.amazon.com/Eric-Adams-Chester-Moores-Times/dp/B000FVQXEG

Do you hope to be bigger than Deathlike Silence?

I hope to not get stabbed to death in my underpants.

Solid answer!

For real though, what styles of metal do you have under your label? Bands?

Black, Death, Doom, & Thrash. Take a look - www.ultharrecords.com

God damn beautiful. Keep up the hard work. Keep me updated on if you get a set shipping rate to the contiguous US

We're distributed in the US by Hells Headbangers so you can keep your shipping costs to the bare minimum!

http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/ulthar.asp

How exactly does a label become underground? Do you have to do a secret knock to get in?

You need The Cosmic Keys to My Creations and Times.

If you had to give just one advice to other that would want to start a record label, how would that advice sound like?

Don't expect to get rich doing it. Do it because you want to do it, if anyone else likes what you're putting out it's a bonus. The old adage is true - the customer is always right.

Also, don't do pre-orders. They suck.

Why do pre-orders suck? For you or the costumer?

For the consumer. So much can go wrong or be delayed when producing something - I don't think people should be charged for something that doesn't exist yet.

How deep underground?, and whats the process for getting in are there steps, elevator, or kind of Magic?

Various Rites of Darkness and Conspiracies with Satan.

Would you ever collaborate with another small label to put out a few vinyl? If so, I know a guy....

Generally, I wouldn't do joint releases with other labels on one format. I prefer to have total mastery over my domain. Never say never though....

What is your opinion on the new Slayer album?

It's by far the newest of all the Slayer albums.

What bands and genres do you listen to when you arent listening to heavy metal? Personally i listen to anything from metalcore, ekectronicore, some stuff closer to deathcore all the way to various electronic genres.

I'll listen to most things as long as I like it. I listen to a lot of Hip Hip and Grime, and lots of Folk.

Ah cool. Any favorite bands/artists someone might not expect from you?

Kendrick is king at the moment.

what are your top 3 metal bands ?

Classics - Mercyful Fate, Dissection, Bathory.

This month - Mgła, StarGazer, Magister Templi.

Storm of the Lights Bane or Bathory s/t?

Both. On repeat forever.

Can you sign me? I dont have any songs and don't have a band, but i sing along to songs sometimes. I'll even sing for free. you just have to provide me a place to live and hire someone to rub my stomach when wake up every few hours screaming at the top of my lungs from night terrors.

Most of the stuff I've released sounds like someone screaming from night terrors so sure why not.

Personally, I prefer just screams that sound more like shouting, like what Manowar or Hammerfall does. The screams that those grunge bands and the like make? Fuck those.

Not sure I know what you mean. I can't think of any screaming grunge bands?

What practical lesson do you wish you had known going in? I have often dreamed of starting a label, but I'm not fully sure what that looks like.

Nothing. Learning is half the fun!

Are you sad that you missed the wings of metal fest like I was?

Yup. Angel Witch and Razor would have made a great weekend, and Barrow Wight is a personal favorite.

any tips on which distros are best to work with?

Iron Bonehead in Europe, Hells Headbangers in the US.

What is the business side of a label look like?

Paperwork, taxes, lawyers and everything in between sounds like a fucking nightmare. What's your take on that and is it really as daunting as I imagine?

Not as complex as you'd imagine. Doing taxes takes probably about an hour or two a year. No paperwork - all digital! No lawyers needed, I don't hold any bands under my thrall. Only release deals are real.

The most complex and time consuming part is packing and shipping orders.

How are you doing? Everything alright?

What, personally, or with the label?

Both, just checking up if your still kicking ass and taking names

Names are added to my list constantly.

Nice, I hope you're doing well and everything goes well, take care man

Same to thee!

How did you got into Metal?

I don't know another way of living, baby, I don't really care. Give me a pair of jeans and a riff that's mean, and girls that love to share...