Immortal Records Explained

Immortal Records
Founder:Happy Walters
Amanda Scheer Demme
Distributor:Epic (1991–1999)
Virgin (1999–2002)
RED (2003–2007)
Country:United States
Location:Los Angeles, California
Status:Defunct
Defunct:2007

Immortal Records was an American independent record label/imprint label based in Los Angeles, California.[1] The company helped launch the careers of such influential acts as Korn, Thirty Seconds To Mars, and Incubus over the years. The label had also released soundtracks, including Judgment Night, Spawn, Blade II and Masters of Horror. It was distributed by various labels, including Epic, Virgin and RED Distribution.[2]

History

Immortal Records was founded in 1991 by Amanda Scheer Demme and Happy Walters. Shortly after its inception, the label signed a three-year deal with Epic Records. The label also renewed its contract with the label in 1994 for two years further.[3]

In 1997, following the expiration of their two-year renewal Epic re-signed a new five-year deal with the label worth $35 million. The deal granted the label more creative freedoms, and around this time the label grew its staff from 15 to 20 employees. However, in 1998 the head of Epic, Richard Griffiths, was fired from his position, and relations between Epic and Immortal began to sour. They eventually agreed to separate, with Epic retaining the rights to Korn and Incubus.[4]

In September 1999, Immortal signed a five-year deal with Virgin Records. Virgin's deal with the label was intended to help the label gain new rock acts.[5] The first signing under the new deal was punk rock band U.S. Crush. The deal was severed in late 2002 after the exits of the executives who signed the label's 1999 distribution deal. Virgin kept Thirty Seconds To Mars on the label.[6]

In August 2003, Immortal signed a deal with RED Distribution.

The company ceased operations in November 2007.[7] [8] Despite this, its name was still used on albums by Incubus and Thirty Seconds To Mars after the label's closure. The Escape Frame's self-titled album, which was intended to be released on Immortal prior to it going defunct, was released through End Sounds in September 2008.[9]

Discography

DistributorYearRelease DateArtist / BandAlbumBillboard 200 PositionRIAA Certifications
Epic1993May 4, 1993FunkdoobiestWhich Doobie U B?
  1. 56[10]
September 14, 1993Various ArtistsJudgement Night soundtrack
  1. 17[11]
US: Gold
1994July 12, 1994April's Motel RoomBlack 14
RCAApril 26, 1994Volume 10Hip-Hopera
EpicOctober 4, 1994Various ArtistsLove and a .45 soundtrack
October 11, 1994KornKorn
  1. 72[12]
US: 2× Platinum
November 15, 1994Various ArtistsB-Ball's Best Kept Secret
1995July 4, 1995FunkdoobiestBrothas Doobie
  1. 115
October 31, 1995Various ArtistsThe Next Chapter: Strictly Underground
1996April 3, 1996FarTin Cans With Strings To You
August 20, 1996The UrgeReceiving The Gift of Flavour
October 15, 1996KornLife Is Peachy
  1. 3
US: 2× Platinum
1997January 7, 1997IncubusEnjoy Incubus (EP)
July 29, 1997Various ArtistsSpawn: The Album
  1. 7[13]
US: Gold
September 9, 1997IncubusS.C.I.E.N.C.E.US: Gold
1998March 10, 1998FarWater & Solutions
April 21, 1998The UrgeMaster of Styles
  1. 111[14]
August 18, 1998KornFollow The Leader
  1. 1
US: 5× Platinum
September 8, 1998Bare Jr.Boo-Tay
October 13, 1998Various ArtistsSlam: The Soundtrack
  1. 84
GoodnessAnthem
1999March 30, 1999Various ArtistsFamily Values Tour '98
  1. 7
US: Gold
October 26, 1999IncubusMake Yourself
  1. 47[15]
US: 2× Platinum
November 16, 1999KornIssues
  1. 1
US: 3× Platinum
Virgin2000July 18, 2000The UrgeToo Much Stereo
  1. 200
October 10, 2000Bare Jr.Brainwasher
November 7, 2000SnotStrait Up
  1. 56
2001April 11, 2001U.S. CrushU.S. Crush
July 3, 2001Various ArtistsKiss of the Dragon soundtrack
August 14, 2001No OneNo One
EpicOctober 23, 2001IncubusMorning View
  1. 2
US: 2× Platinum
VirginNovember 9, 2001TransmaticTransmatic
2002February 26, 2002SwitchedSubject To Change
March 19, 2002Various ArtistsBlade II soundtrack
  1. 26[16]
EpicJune 11, 2002KornUntouchables
  1. 2
US: Platinum
VirginAugust 27, 2002Thirty Seconds to Mars30 Seconds to Mars
  1. 107[17]
RED2003May 20, 20037th StandardFire From the Sky
November 11, 2003Various ArtistsA Santa Cause: It's a Punk
Rock Christmas
EpicNovember 21, 2003KornTake A Look In The Mirror
  1. 9
US: Platinum
2004February 3, 2004IncubusA Crow Left of the Murder...
  1. 2
US: Platinum
October 5, 2004KornGreatest Hits Vol. 1
  1. 4
US: Platinum
REDOctober 19, 2004Mix Master MikeBangzilla
2005February 8, 2005Scary Kids Scaring KidsAfter Dark (EP)
March 22, 2005A Change of PaceAn Offer You Can't Refuse
May 10, 2005Walking AshlandComposure
June 28, 2005Scary Kids Scaring KidsThe City Sleeps in Flames
VirginAugust 30, 2005Thirty Seconds to MarsA Beautiful Lie
  1. 36
US: Platinum
REDOctober 18, 2005Various ArtistsMasters of Horror soundtrack
Epic2006May 9, 2006KornLive & Rare
REDJune 13, 2006Walking AshlandTelescopes (EP)
thebleedingalarmBeauty In Destruction
June 20, 2006Agent SparksRed Rover
July 11, 2006The FinalsPlan Your Getaway
August 15, 2006A Change Of PacePrepare The Masses
  1. 155[18]
August 22, 2006DeadsyPhantasmagore
  1. 176[19]
October 3, 2006BrazilThe Philosophy of Velocity
EpicNovember 24, 2006IncubusLight Grenades
  1. 1
US: Gold
REDDecember 5, 2006Various ArtistsA Santa Cause: It's a Punk
Rock Christmas Volume 2
2007March 20, 2007Hot Rod CircuitThe Underground Is a Dying Breed
April 3, 2007Tyler ReadOnly Rock and Roll Can Save Us Now
April 17, 2007Walking AshlandThe Well
August 21, 2007AdemaKill the Headlights
RED/RCAAugust 28, 2007Scary Kids Scaring KidsScary Kids Scaring Kids
  1. 80[20]
Epic2009June 16, 2009IncubusMonuments and Melodies
  1. 5
US: Gold
VirginDecember 8, 2009Thirty Seconds To MarsThis Is War
  1. 19
US: Gold
Epic2011July 12, 2011IncubusIf Not Now, When?
  1. 2
Virgin2013May 17, 2013Thirty Seconds To MarsLove, Lust, Faith and Dreams
  1. 6
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Billboard. 1997-04-19. Worldradiohistory.com. 2022-04-09.
  2. Book: Billboard . 2003-08-02 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . en.
  3. Book: Billboard . 1997-04-19 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . en.
  4. Book: Billboard . 1999-09-04 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . en.
  5. Book: Billboard . 2001-06-23 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . en.
  6. Book: Billboard . 2003-08-02 . Nielsen Business Media, Inc. . en.
  7. Web site: Immortal Records ceases operations . Paul, Aubin. November 1, 2007. 2021-12-22 . Punknews.org . en.
  8. Web site: Archive-Chris-Harris . 30 Seconds To Mars' Jared Leto Says $30 Million Lawsuit Against Band Is 'Ridiculously Overblown' . https://web.archive.org/web/20140708162910/http://www.mtv.com/news/1592982/30-seconds-to-mars-jared-leto-says-30-million-lawsuit-against-band-is-ridiculously-overblown/ . dead . July 8, 2014 . 2022-07-06 . MTV News . en.
  9. Web site: The Escape Frame set for release after full-year delay. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. September 13, 2008. June 18, 2022.
  10. Funkdoobiest . 2022-04-03 . Billboard . en-US.
  11. Web site: Judgment Night / Soundtrack . 2022-04-03 . Billboard.elpee.jp . en.
  12. Korn . 2022-04-03 . Billboard . en-US.
  13. Web site: Soundtrack : Chart History. Billboard.com. 2022-04-09.
  14. The Urge . 2022-04-03 . Billboard . en-US.
  15. Incubus . 2022-04-03 . Billboard . en-US.
  16. Web site: 2004-11-05 . 'Blade' Soundtrack Wields Wu-Tang Members . 2022-04-03 . Billboard.com . en-US.
  17. Thirty Seconds To Mars . 2022-04-03 . Billboard . en-US.
  18. Web site: 'Back To Basics' Takes Christina Aguilera Back To 'Billboards #1 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221108204923/https://www.mtv.com/news/d7t1vs/back-to-basics-takes-christina-aguilera-back-to-billboards-1 . dead . November 8, 2022 . 2022-11-08 . MTV . en.
  19. Web site: Deadsy. Billboard.com. April 9, 2022.
  20. Web site: Scary Kids Scaring Kids / Scary Kids Scaring Kids . 2022-04-03 . Billboard.elpee.jp . en.