Dead Label

Dead Label

Dead Label is an Irish thrash/death metal band from Celbridge, County Kildare, active since 2008. The group forms in November 2008 and starts out as a three-piece, with all three members having previously played in VX. The band name reflects its view that metal should not be divided into fixed subgenres or labels.

Sound and influences

Dead Label plays a modern metalcore style, with a heavy sound shaped by a wide range of metal influences. The band cites Machine Head, Pantera, Caliban and Slipknot among the main reference points for its music.

Early releases and competition success

The band records a couple of demos in 2008 and 2009 before entering the live circuit. In 2009 it competes in the Crypt Trials, an all-Ireland Metal Battle of the Bands with 47 acts, and wins the contest outright. After that, Dead Label plays live as often as possible over the following year or so.

EP, label deal and debut album

In October 2010, Dead Label records its self-titled debut EP at Komodo Studios with Alwyn Walker. The EP is briefly offered as a free download on Facebook, then removed after reaching the platform’s download limits. Physical copies also sell out. The band later signs to Rising Records. It then records its first album with Alwyn Walker at Westland Studios, leading to the release of Sense Of Slaughter in 2012. Around this time, it also supports Machine Head in Dublin and Belfast and plays warm-up shows elsewhere in Ireland.

Later activity

Dead Label continues to tour and play shows across Ireland, the UK, Europe and the US. In 2016, it releases its second full-length album, Throne Of Bones, and also puts out several promotional videos. In January 2019, Mick Hynes of This Place Hell and The Devil Wants Her Swagger Back joins as the band’s second guitarist.