Music for Nations

Music for Nations
Music For Nations (MFN) is a British independent record label focusing mainly on rock and metal. It was a subsidiary of the larger label distributor Zomba Records, which was a division of BMG and later 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 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. In December 2011, The End Records signed a distribution deal for 50 of MFN's catalog albums.
In February 2015, MFN relaunched through Sony's commercial department, 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. 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.
Roster
Acid Drinkers (1990–1992) (Subsidiary label – Under One Flag)
Agent Steel
Alaska
Amplifier
Anathema
Anthem
Anthrax
Apes, Pigs & Spacemen
Apocalypse
Astroid Boys (Subsidiary label – Under One Flag)
Baby Tuckoo
Battleaxe
Bury Tomorrow
The Beyond
Candlemass
Chrome Molly
Cradle of Filth
Creation of Death (1991–1992) (Subsidiary label – Under One Flag)
Darkmoon
Dispatched
Dead Potatoes (2003–2006)
Dearly Beheaded (1995–1998)
Dragon (1990–1991) (Subsidiary label – Under One Flag)
Drive She Said
Earthshaker
Entombed
Exciter
Exodus
The Exploited (Subsidiary label – Rough Justice)
Freak of Nature
Godflesh
Hed PE
Hellion
Helstar
Hot Milk
InMe
Killswitch Engage
Juster
Legs Diamond
Lost Horizon
Loudness
Lowfive
Manowar
Eric Martin
Meanstreak
Megadeth
Mercyful Fate
Metallica
Mike Tramp
Milk Teeth
Mindfunk
Nightshade
Nuclear Assault
Onslaught
Opeth
Paradise Lost
Simon Phillips
Porcupine Tree (2021-present)
Q5
Ratt
Rio
The Rods
Rogue Male
Rox
Sarcófago (1985–1986)
Savatage
Sirrah (1995–1999)
Spiritual Beggars
Jack Starr
SugarComa (2001–2003)
Sugarcreek
Suicide Squad
Surgin
Tank
Testament
Thrasher
Tigertailz (1990–2005)
TKO
Tyketto
Turbo (1990–1991) (Subsidiary label – Under One Flag)
Robin Trower
Twelfth Night
Tygers of Pan Tang
Venom (1989–1992) (Subsidiary label – Under One Flag)
Virgin Steele
W.A.S.P.
Wolf Spider (1990–1991) (Subsidiary label – Under One Flag)
Waysted
Wendy O. Williams
XisLoaded
See also
List of record labels
References
External links
Official website
Music For Nations at Discogs.com
British record labels
Record labels established in 1983
Record labels disestablished in 2004
Record labels established in 2015
Re-established companies
Rock record labels
Heavy metal record labels
Zomba Group of Companies subsidiaries
1983 establishments in the United Kingdom