| Music for Nations | |
| Parent: | Sony Music Entertainment |
| Founded: | 1983 (original) 2015 (relaunch) |
| Defunct: | 2004 (original) |
| Founder: | Martin Hooker |
| Distributor: | The Orchard (United States) Sony Music UK (United Kingdom) Sony Music (International) |
| Genre: | Heavy metal, doom metal, speed metal, thrash metal, glam metal |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Location: | London, England |
Music for Nations (MFN) is a British independent record label focusing mainly on rock and metal. Originally a subsidiary of Zomba Records, which was a division of BMG, the label was closed in 2004 and later revived in 2015 by Sony Music Entertainment.
Launched in 1983 by Martin Hooker, Music for Nations established itself as a European leader in the rock and metal world, with early signings like Tank, Exciter, Metallica (who had three gold albums while on MFN), Slayer and Megadeth paving the way. As MFN grew, the company expanded its operation to include not just licensed acts from the United States, but its own signings. It released albums by artists including Paradise Lost, Opeth, Anathema, Cradle of Filth, Testament and countless other metal bands. As well as the traditional metal bands MFN went on to sign up and coming UK bands such as Tigertailz who had a top 40 album[1] while signed to Music for Nations.
In 2004, the label closed down. The company's catalogue which had also previously included titles from artists as varied as Lost Horizon, Tigertailz and Frank Zappa was transferred to parent company Zomba Records Group.[2] In December 2011, The End Records signed a distribution deal for 50 of MFN's catalog albums.[3]
In February 2015, MFN relaunched through Sony's commercial department,[4] with plans to reissue albums from their catalogue including Anathema, Paradise Lost, Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, Cradle of Filth and others. They also intend to, in the spirit of the label's original purpose, sign original heavy talent for singles, EPs and compilation albums.
In October 2017, MFN signed two newcomers, metalcore band Bury Tomorrow and ambient rock band Blanket.[5] In June 2018, American metalcore band Killswitch Engage joined MFN's UK roster; the band's forthcoming album will be marketed by Metal Blade Records in the United States, and internationally through Columbia/Sony.[6]