The End Records Acquired by BMG

It appears that New York City-based indie record company The End Records has been bought by Bertelsmann Music Group, or BMG.

The End has been around for almost twenty years, focusing entirely on metal, punk, electronica, and other underground genres. Some of its alumni include HIM, Hinder, Terrorizer, Dead Letter Circus, and American Sharks. They’re supposed to put out the new Billy Talent record later this year, with the band then going on to support G’N’R on their upcoming tour.

Meanwhile, this isn’t BMG’s first foray into indie label ownership. The music group purchased Rise Records recently, meaning that they’re now the proud label behind Five Finger Death Punch.

What’s more interesting is how many large entities are snapping up independent labels that focus on rock and metal, like Sony’s purchase of Century Media last year. It’s obvious that in the changing world of entertainment, there’s an understanding that metal continues to make a buttload of money, and that snapping up a labels-worth of bands is a nice way to add some breadwinners to your roster.

Anyway, good luck to The End as part of BMG. Hopefully, their name isn’t a form of foreshadowing.

[via]