Sanctuary Group Signs Megadeth to a Five Album Deal

By Daina Kazmaier (more articles from this author) 2000-11-11

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The Sanctuary Records Group, after weeks of negotiations and speculation, has signed multi-platinum hard rock giants Megadeth (www.megadeth.com) to a long term five album deal. The group is a division of the Sanctuary Group plc, a UK based developer of intellectual property rights in the fields of music, television, publishing, and entertainment, and was established in March 2000 on the completion of the acquisitions of Castle Records and CMC Records to the existing Sanctuary Records roster.

Dave Mustaine, frontman and creative energy behind Megadeth, is currently in the studio with band members Dave Ellefson, Jimmy DeGrasso, and recent addition Al Pitrellli, working on the band's newest album due out early next year.  Mustaine stated that, "Over the years I've witnessed Sanctuary's unwavering determined focus on the metal market.  We paid attention to what all the labels that pursued us had to say, and in the end Sanctuary excited us.  This next studio album is straight in-your-face metal and will be completely uncompromising, so we feel we are in great hands.   Sanctuary was the logical home for Megadeth and our music.  We can't wait to release the new record and hit the road."

The Sanctuary Music Management has sold over 50,000,000 records in the hard rock and metal market place, and earlier this year launched the Sanctuary Records Group, which incorporates the labels Sanctuary Records and Metal-Is Records.  Catalogues incorporated with the Sanctuary Records Group include Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Motorhead, as well as new albums from Halford and Corrosion of Conformity (COC).

"America's premiere hard rock bands of the last 10 years have been Megadeth and Metallica, and it is no coincidence that Dave Mustaine was a founder of both bands," commented Sanctuary Music Group CEO Merck Mercuriadis.  "He is one of hard rock's key figures and we wanted to be a part of his and Megadeth's future.  Our team is very passionate about Megadeth, and although they have already sold over 15,000,000 albums in their career to date, we believe that the combination of Sanctuary's unique environment and the quality of the new record the band is currently putting the finishing touches on, will result in growth."

Rob Smallwood, founder of the Sanctuary Group when he signed Iron Maiden, stated, "I've always had the greatest respect for Dave Mustaine and Megadeth, and always wanted to work with them.  So it is a great pleasure to do so now as their worldwide label in this existing new chapter of their mega career.   I feel that the Sanctuary team can bring in real focus and a great work ethic to the planning and marketing of their records to give the band and their legions of fans the best job possible.  Metal records require great care and attention to detail, and we have the passion to supply that.  This has been our frontline music of choice for over 20 years, fashionable or not!!  After eight albums (mostly all platinum) and with worldwide sell out tours and record sales of 15 million albums, Megadeth are ready for continued success at the highest level.  And we expect a lot of great music with them- that's the important thing."

Larry Mazer of Entertainment Services, also manager of Megadeth, said, "For the second half of their career, Megadeth wanted to put their music in the hands of an organization that understood them and their audience.  The respect that the metal and hard rock community has for Sanctuary made them the right choice.  Dave Mustaine and I have known Rod Smallwood for many years and feel that the Sanctuary Group provides the best opportunity for Megadeth's continued success and growth for many years to come."

Megadeth is expected to begin a massive World Tour in the Summer, after the Spring 2001 release of their nearly completed studio album.

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