Legendary Swedish label Cold Meat Industry was faced with compulsory liquidation in 2012 and the process was finalized 1 year ago. Now owner Roger Karmanik has finally made an official statement (below). We will miss this quality label for industrial, dark ambient, neofolk, ritual, martial and avantgarde music.
Everything from the actual music to the album design were generally of high quality. Cold Meat Industry started in 1987 (and Release Magazine in 1986); we co-operated from time to time. Numerous releases have received high grades in Release Magazine through the years. We have interviewed some of the bands and ex-writer Mattias Huss also started working on a big feature and possible book on Cold Meat Industry but had to cancel this complex project. The people from this underground scene are not always eager to be interviewed and reveal any details about their work. The mystery and secrecy aura is a blessing – and a curse. Cold Meat Industry and its projects remained small, although respected and influential.
Rome, Arcana, Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, In Slaughter Natives, Memorandum, Atrium Carceri, Mortiis, Deutsch Nepal, Raison d’Être and Karmanik’s own Brighter Death Now are some of the established Cold Meat acts.
Roger Karmanik’s statement:
“Cold Meat Industry is Dead! I thought you ought to officially announce this…, and I should have told you long before…. But briefly: it has been hard to admit it… and to let it go! I am confident of my decision. I had a lots of fun during the years of creating CMI and I’ve learned it made a massive impact on the music scene. Being in the middle of this creative storm I got personally drained, it emptied my body of strength, and happiness. It caused me deep depression, alcoholism, and misery. I, who thought I was invincible… It was hard to admit to me, and also to all people around me. Now, I am finding the way back to my innerself, and exploring life again – and music! I am proud of what I have done, but will not rest with that! Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, the Familygrave is sealed!”