MUMBAI: Independent music, film and video distribution company, The Orchard which is fully owned by Sony Music Entertainment, has announced acquisition of rock/metal label Shrapnel Records’ historic catalogue.

The deal will allow a third of the 35-year-old label to release it digitally for the first time, which includes works by names like Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Yngwie Malmsteen and more. The distribution company will oversee digital and physical distribution for the label. Chris Duarte’s ‘Lucky 13’, Paul Gilbert’s ‘Stone Pushing Uphill Man’ and Indigenous’ ‘Time Is Coming’, which is part of the 3000-song catalogue, will be streamed for the first time.

Shrapnel Records, known as the guitar-oriented record label, which was launched in 1980 by Mike Varney who was a former Megadeth and former Cacophony member, was the first dedicated metal label and has seen the changing rock scene. “The distribution landscape has changed dramatically in the last ten years, requiring greater staffing with expertise in digital distribution,” says Varney.

He further added, “Although the Shrapnel Label Group will continue making new records, the expanded distribution and accompanying administration of the back catalogue was something we felt could be best served by a larger company. As a pioneer in digital distribution with a tremendous track record of more than fifteen years, The Orchard was in a stronger position to effectively realize this for our catalogue.”

“The Shrapnel Label Group was the first American label dedicated to metal and has pioneered the development of guitar-centric records,” said The Orchard VP of catalog development and associate general counsel Jason Pascal. “To get to work with a catalog of this size and scope is humbling and inspiring, and I couldn’t be happier that The Orchard will now serve as the steward for Shrapnel’s legacy.”