There are numerous labels that stand because the mark of high quality in excessive metallic. We’ve lined many of those at Decibel, as they are often relied on as “you already know it’s going to be good.” However there are additionally some which might be interesting for an extra cause, in that you just’re by no means completely certain what the label goes to throw at you. Sentient Damage Laboratories, based mostly out of Oakland, California, is a type of retailers.
Whereas some labels kind of specialise in dying metallic or black metallic or vintage-themed doom metallic, Sentient Damage appears to visitors in all species of extremity and obscurity. Though a number of the bands on the roster have achieved a devoted following in very specialised circles (Hell being a superb instance), the label’s mastermind, M., isn’t right here to recruit a set of distinguished designated hitters. Quite the opposite, he stays dedicated to giving lesser-known or completely unknown bands a voice.
And that’s why we needed to study extra.
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Thanks for speaking with us! For individuals who may not know, are you able to inform us about how Sentient Damage Laboratories obtained began?
I’ve been a musician most of my life and, except for enjoying in bands and coping with labels myself, through the years I’ve additionally been a music blogger and report collector. File accumulating and writing about music at all times tickled my creativeness about how it could be to have a label of my very own and describe my very own releases, in addition to how I might run the label, what the releases would sound and seem like, and what the vibe and aesthetic could be like. I used to be impressed by labels like Chilly Meat Business, Aurora Borealis, HydraHead, Osmose, Youth Assault, Profane Existence, Chilly Spring, Earache and many others, and had this playful concept in my head for years. Round 2012, I began releasing cassettes for the bands of shut associates, and it snowballed from there. For me, having a label is akin to being in a band. You will get very artistic with it and it’s a fantastic technique of expression and divulgation.
What would you say is the core imaginative and prescient of the label? Your roster spans all varieties of extremity, however would you say there’s a typical thread that brings all of it collectively?
I sometimes attempt to work for bands and artists which might be underappreciated or underrated, typically unsigned, or at their first launch with a label. As a decades-long music blogger and collector, the invention of bands I’d by no means heard of throughout the folds of the underground was at all times an thrilling second, so I attempt to convey that pleasure to others now by way of the label, whereas making an attempt to make it proper for individuals who deserve it. The imaginative and prescient and mission is discovery of nice expertise hidden underneath the floor of the varied genres I like, to make it proper for them and for individuals who are obsessed with discovery, primarily in excessive metallic, punk, and industrial, but in addition with adjoining areas of curiosity of mine like darkwave, goth and post-punk, noise, darkish ambient, and experimental music of varied types. I additionally make an effort to launch artists from international locations from the southern and japanese hemisphere, from growing international locations, or who’re simply under-represented globally.
One launch I keep in mind actually having fun with was that album from Vulvanic in 2023. How did you come into contact with them?
Their demo handed underneath my nostril throughout one among my many music scouring periods, it could have been from a Youtube channel I’m subscribed to. I believed their two demos had been superior so I contacted them through e mail to see in the event that they needed to reissue them as a vinyl comp. The discharge turned out nice, and I agree, they’re an distinctive band from a rustic that doesn’t get the popularity it ought to.
Working a report label, particularly in a distinct segment space like metallic, can’t be a straightforward feat. What would you say have been your major challenges?
The truth that nothing I do is admittedly for revenue. If that was the aim, I’d be releasing boilerplate commercial-value stuff, which I’ve little interest in. So the hours of labor for little to no monetary return and dealing a non-music-related full time job to deal with my household isn’t at all times straightforward, however that is what my dedication and sacrifice is for the larger which means it holds to me.
Trying ahead, what are some upcoming releases you’d like Decibel readers to look out for?
Gawthrop, the perfect sludge/doom band from far east Asia since Corrupted, far and huge. And the brand new Uranium album, which is able to certainly create a degree of no return for underground excessive music. In addition to a brand new EP from Diabolic Oath, which continues the expansion of their musicianship and mastership. There are much more however for numerous apparent causes they need to stay underneath wraps 🙂
It’s straightforward to get jaded and burned out when music turns into a part of your on a regular basis working life. Lastly, what retains you enthusiastic about this music?
The label simply provides me this very distinctive and significant sense of self expression and objective, realizing that I’m serving to musicians and making folks comfortable, being it the bands or all of the individuals who love to find new music and who’re obsessed with and devoted to our beloved underground. I do all of this for them, hoping to encourage, encourage, and convey happiness to their lives by way of the magic and pleasure of music, simply as different labels did for me in my youth. Simply making an attempt to provide again and put all of the inspiration I acquired through the years again to work so it’s not wasted or hoarded, however so all of it goes again into the world.