Long Beach Metal-Makers "enRot" Sign to Itchy Metal Entertainment

Home to a half-million residents and a bustling street art scene, Long Beach also holds claim to resident rockers “enRot”, a local heavy metal quartet burning up SoCal’s entertainment venues with aspirations of world domination.

Influenced by the likes of Sepultura, Pantera, Lamb of God and Devil Driver, enRot enters the west coast metal scene full-force, ready to leave their indelible mark on independent music. The group’s current line-up includes Ivan Wiegand on vocals, Russ Grell on guitars, Jeremy Barbata as bassist and newest member, Francisco Zamudio on drums. The collaborative result of creative minds and focused dedication, the band brings together a decade of combined musical experience showcasing an impressive performance calendar for a relatively new band.

As the latest addition to Los Angeles new media agency and indie label “Itchy Metal Entertainment”, enRot’s inclusion on the firm’s roster returns interest to developing artists on the LA scene and helps to extend the company’s talent network between the Las Vegas strip and the Sunset strip.

“The core of great, new music is from the songs and bands yet to be discovered,” states Ed Fassio, CEO of Itchy Metal Entertainment. “A veteran act has to push themselves beyond current plateaus and emerging artists have the challenge of establishing a name and at the same time developing a unique sound. In enRot, we found a great balance of musical experience combined with new enthusiasm and fresh potential.”

Fassio’s expectations of the Long Beach band are high. Being relatively new but extremely ambitious presents the opportunity for IME to focus on enRot’s artist development efforts. "We’re excited to try new ideas, campaigns and approaches towards expanding their success and momentum. Our plan is to build upon a strong foundation and literally accelerate everything the band is currently working on.”

Excited fans can sample the group’s live performance throughout the greater Los Angeles landscape.  Often teaming with local favorites, enRot’s event schedule includes a full smorgasbord of March gigs including upcoming shows at Studio City’s Universal Grill, DiPiazza’s in Long Beach, The DollHut in Anaheim and LA’s Boulevard Café.

For a full list of upcoming show dates and additional information on the band, check them out online at: www.enrot.com

Starting 2011 in Darkness, HMW Signs Vegas Metal Band “diM.” to IME Records

There’s nothing visually dark about the Vegas strip. Rather, the entire place lights up like a Christmas tree each night of the year, beckoning wide eyed tourists and star struck entertainers twenty-four hours a day.

As if to balance the illumination overload, darkness reveals itself within the city’s underground metal scene. It is here that Itchy Metal Entertainment first encountered the explosive sound of Death in Motion (aka diM.)

“I’ve had the privilege of seeing their live show several times,” reflects Ed Fassio, President of IME Records. “diM. commands a very impressive stage presence and they have a very loyal and intense audience.”

diM. are six members bonded by a common interest and love for heavy music. Formed in February of 2006, the sinister sextuplets have shared stage with some of the most brutal, up and coming heavy acts across the nation including: Mushroomhead, Motograter, Divine Heresy, Asesino, Agnostic Front, Spineshank, Otep and Silent Civilian – just to name a few.

With vocal styles reminiscent of sounds from the Deftones, Killswitch Engage, and Sevendust, the group consistently pushes the sound barrier; bringing unique elements to their music including distorted keyboard and samples that sound like recordings from a torture chamber.  Manifesting as the very embodiment of heavy metal, diM’s rhythm section blends unique patterns and grooves with drum fills that roll like an avalanche. And to wrap it up with one big, bloody knot, the band’s Slayer-styled guitar work serves as a facial power punch of unforgiving audio assault.

In early 2011, fans can expect two initial releases from the band through Itchy Metal Entertainment. Future plans include additional projects, merchandise and additional musical considerations. Signing the band on New Year’s Eve, IME Records is making literal bets that the future of Heavy Metal-World™ is: diM.

“I’m very excited to welcome diM. to the label and the world can expect great things from these guys,” adds Fassio. “I love it when bands can deliver the unexpected and shock the senses. These guys draw everyone in for the kill.”

"Rule of Thumb" Joins Heavy Metal-World™, Signs to IME Records

Las Vegas Hardcore band: Rule of Thumb knows respect: How to give it, and definitely how to get it!

As a veteran act on the Sin City metal scene, the established trio holds close associations with almost every musician, venue and promoter in town. Often sharing stage, sometimes sharing gear and always sharing an incredible live show, Rule of Thumb has earned honor and friendships through sweat equity and an uncompromising mission to remain true to themselves.

Unapologetic, the band tackles controversial issues without hesitation and routinely ignores political correctness when delivering their vicious blend of metal, hardcore and punk. Ironically, there are no rules for R.O.T. – and much of their success can be attributed to this rebellion.

“I don’t want to change anything about this band,” states Ed Fassio, head of IME Records. “These guys are loved by their fans because of who they are and what they do and you just don’t mess with that."

Always strategic, IME promotes the idea of mixing structure with mayhem while the Los Angeles indie label sets goals to add some new dynamics to their current line-up. The core pillars of maturity, strong business acumen and established fan-base were driving factors in matching Rule of Thumb with the Itchy Metal Entertainment family.

“Considering that I’ve seen these guys in full operation and witnessed their artistic capability, it wasn’t a hard decision,” says Fassio. “Their performance gets the entire facility involved. There’s so much going on that you can’t help but join the party.”

Rule of Thumb have toured the southwestern US extensively and shared stage with many national and international bands. Currently, the band is preparing to film their first video and planning tours for the east coast and UK.  With a stage performance matched by no other, the energy and no apologies attitude that Rule of Thumb commands should not be missed. – www.reverbnation.com/ruleofthumb

The new relationship will begin with the release of two R.O.T. singles, promoted and distributed by Itchy Metal Entertainment.

Heavy Metal-World™ Signs "In Shadows Embrace" to IME Records

Nestled amongst the tumbleweed, barren landscape and tanned mountains of the southern Nevada Desert is a town like no other. Literally viewable from space, Las Vegas’ appeal has always been attributed to super lights, megastars and ambitious dreams of fame and fortune.  So it’s no surprise that the local entertainment scene would also be flooded with aspiring musicians competing for their own slice of notoriety in Sin City.

The encounters can be fierce and attention is not easily attainable. For one group, it’s been a work-in-progress for over 3 years. In Shadows Embrace (aka ISE) is a heavy metal force, holding their own as one of the most successful bands on the Vegas underground scene.  With accomplishments that range from self-promoting, producing and releasing their own records, opening for numerous national acts and rocking the stage at the largest music festival in southern Nevada (Las Vegas’ Extreme Thing), few local acts have the resiliency, drive and avid fans that ISE commands.

“Anyone who is active on the local metal scene in Vegas knows there are a few consistent names that continue to circulate as the most accomplished and most promising bands to watch. ISE is definitely one of them,” states Ed Fassio.

Developed in early 2008 as an innovative way to market, manage, promote and distribute new media and independent music, Heavy Metal-World™ launched IME Records in November 2010. The company was hell-bent on crafting a common vision for success and set out to find musicians that would understand and share a passion for creativity. As the VP of A&R for HMW and President of IME Records, Fassio has worked closely with many of the local heavy metal acts in Las Vegas.

ISE onstage at Extreme Thing Festival

“I’ve watched ISE’s progression for over 2 years now. I’ve seen them on stages large and small, witnessed their audience control, experienced their live shows and deeply respect their work ethic,” adds Fassio.  “In Shadows Embrace is a band with a tremendous amount of dedication and skill. All the members are focused, business-minded musicians and they truly understand what it means to work for their dreams. I’ve always enjoyed working with ISE and having them join Itchy Metal Entertainment allows a whole new world of possibilities.”

Included in their large list of accomplishments, In Shadows Embrace has shared stage with national acts such as 36 Crazy Fists, Five Finger Death Punch, The Used, Straight Line Stitch, Escape the Fate, Divine Heresy, Otep, Bury Your Dead, Everytime I Die, Through the Eyes of the Dead and many more…

For 2011, ISE’s new relationship with IME Records will begin with the launch of two new singles, supported by an aggressive promotional campaign.

For more information on In Shadows Embrace, visit them online at:

www.reverbnation.com/inshadowsembracelv

www.heavymetal-world.com

Heavy Metal-World™ Signs A Band of Orcs to IME Records

When LA media agency Heavy Metal-World™ (HMW) opened submissions for new artists during the 2010 Holiday season, the indie outfit had some very specific goals in mind. Focused on assembling a unique approach by re-engineering the relationship between artist and record label, the company was hell-bent on crafting a common vision for success and set out to find musicians that would understand and share a passion for creativity.

Scouring the earth to find a combination of that kind of character, skill and work ethic sometimes requires looking beyond the norm.  It’s exactly that type of magnetic synergy which introduced unearthly beings A Band of Orcs to HMW’s newly formed division, IME Records.

A Band of Orcs is literally a big bunch of gruesome, brutal, intimidating Orcs that also happen to be kick-ass musicians. If you’re having a hard time digesting this concept, give it some time. But don’t take too long or you may just end up the one digested as Orcs have a nasty tendency towards being hungry. 

It just so happens they’ve also developed a strong affection for composing and performing heavy metal music, a combination that only the head-banging population could embrace, encourage and endorse.

Now, some might challenge whether or not non-humans could interact or even exist among our kind. Not only do they exist but they’ve found a welcome, new home within the cave of Itchy Metal Entertainment, recently joining as the latest signees of the Los Angeles-based record company.

“A Band of Orcs delivers the perfect combination of performance and chemistry to our roster of new artists,” states Ed Fassio, President of IME Records and VP of A&R for Heavy Metal-World™. “Drama, theatrics, characterization and brutality – these are core ingredients we wanted for our label and this band does NOT disappoint. This is skillfully accurate death metal delivered through larger-than-life manifestations: Orcs, heavy metal and pure genius.”

As mentioned, the Orcs musical preference is VERY heavy metal. But one might inquire as to how they acquired this taste. Hence, the official story as told by their manager, Gruesom Grimp:

“In December of 2006, a group of young nerds playing Dungeons & Dragons inadvertently summoned the monstrous oRcs into your realm by rolling dice on a “Random Encounter Table.” Unfortunately for them, they encountered A Band of Orcs, who reacted with all of the inappropriate violence that you might expect from such savage warriors.   The oRcs' world changed forever, though, when they heard the demonic sounds of Slayer coming from downstairs.  Enchanted with this new form of noise they forced the amateur guitarist they unearthed there to teach them how they could generate such sounds. They spared his life, and he gave them the materials they needed to make metal into magic.”  -  Visit www.abandoforcs.com for the full story…

With critically acclaimed releases such as their debut EP WarChiefs of the Apocalypse and their Fuse-TV promoted video Into the Maelstrom, a Band of Orcs has already made significant impact within music, film and radio circles.

Known for their theatrical live performance, the Orcs have also shared stage with Bay Area action-adventure-hardcore legends ArnoCorps, European death metallers Master, Canadian power-houses 3 Inches of Blood (remember their 2003 epic challenge to all orcdom "Destroy the Orcs?"), as well as nationals Deicide and Skinlab. Venturing outside of metal into the hardcore punk scene, they've also played with Battalion of Saints in San Diego.

As it states on their official website:
“A Band of Orcs want nothing less than to become Metal Gods in your puny human realm.  As such they crave praise and glory on the road. We would be honored for the opportunity to assault your puny human ear-drums to secure apotheosis for A Band of Orcs as deities in the Metalverse.”

And Itchy Metal Entertainment is here to help them do just that.

Heavy Metal-World™ Sets the Stage with Gig Boss

Every artist across each genre of music comes to the point in their careers where it becomes necessary to take their act directly to an audience.  When that time comes, most are faced with a common dilemma: Where to play?

As the independent music scene evolves more companies have become involved with booking resources.  Some have fee based systems, others stay strictly underground, but all have one common synergy – the ability to help artists get on stage.  Still, finding the right venue and establishing the correct contacts that enable a show comes with challenges.

It all begins with finding and securing a first show, and not getting screwed in the process. One such outfit entirely dedicated to helping independent artists find stages, gigs and residencies at great venues is The Gig Boss. Operating from South Orange County, California- GigBoss.com always keeps the artist in mind, first.

“Most artists work within limited budgets and with the current state of pay-to-play situations out there, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for new acts to break on to the scene,” states Ed Fassio, head of IME Records. “The Gig Boss hosts a consolidated list of available gigs, requirements and information that allows musicians to screen for the best opportunities to showcase their art."

When assembling the label, Fassio wanted to stay in close connection with the independent scene, working directly with artists and the partners that were truly dedicated to helping them succeed.  Having used the Gig Boss resources while managing his own acts, he knew their operations were reputable and honest.

“This resource is great. Gig Boss has done a tremendous amount of footwork and all information regarding the opportunities is clearly stated,” adds Fassio. “One of the best things about the Gig Boss is the transparency. This is an entertainer, giving back to entertainers. There’s no hidden agenda, no barriers to entry. All you have to do is get added to the mailing list or subscribe to the blog and you have all the information you need to secure a gig.”

GigBoss.com hopes to be the premier “Entertainers showcase”, where clients come looking for entertainment of all types for their events and venues and vice versa. In addition, all Gig Boss listings are FREE.

For more information on The Gig Boss, please visit: http://www.myspace.com/gigboss/blog

Mixing "Magic" with "Metal" Creates Heavy Combo for Business

Heavy Metal-World™ and Black Magic Productions combine efforts to help new heavy metal acts go to market, enabling a strong alliance across the southwest independent metal scene...

As head of A&R for Heavy Metal-World™, Ed Fassio spends a lot of time interacting with indie musicians.  His job is to create effective go-to-market strategies that enable artists to develop viable revenue sources from their craft, often targeting a specific region or demographic. But the ability to pinpoint acts with the combination of capability, drive and dedication isn’t always easy.

“It’s simply a matter of bandwidth because there are so many independents out there. Going solo you may miss out on the hidden gems; the ones that really want and need a higher level of support,” explains Fassio. “It’s better to partner with the eyes and ears that can help you stay closer to the pulse and multiply yourself.”

For this, Fassio expands his already existing knowledge of the scene through strategic alliances; in particular, his musical relationship with Christopher Pancoast of Black Magic Productions. Known as “PAN” across the Vegas indie community, Black Magic understands the underground scene, lives at the front-end of raw metal talent and keeps his ear firmly to the street.

“As a licensed booking agent and heavy metal promoter, I get to see bands at all levels,” states PAN. “It’s exciting to see a young group grow to the point where they are ready to take their careers to the next level.”

In tandem with Fassio, the mission is simple: Help bands capitalize on what they love to do. “I’ve always supported the projects that Ed’s been involved in and this is a great opportunity to leverage our mutual resources,” adds PAN.

“Working with Black Magic allows HMW to duplicate efforts and the collaboration goes both ways. We follow the basic principle that more can be accomplished together than separately,” concludes Fassio.

The partnership enables both companies to broaden their industry networks, leverage mutual resources and react more quickly to changes in the fast-paced independent metal scene across the Las Vegas and Los Angeles markets.

 
Black Magic Productions holds five licenses in Las Vegas: Professional Promoter, General Admission, Music Distribution, Clothing Retail, and Novelty Sales.
 

For more information on Black Magic Productions, visit:  www.blackmagicproductions.com

About Heavy Metal-World™:
Heavy Metal-World™ is a new media agency HQ’ed in Los Angeles, CA comprised of industry experts and developed in early 2008 as an innovative way to market, manage, promote and distribute new media and independent music by leveraging emerging platforms and partners.