Top 10 Labels you should probably know about

While once proud record labels like Columbia and Epitaph have long since abandoned any effort to put out any good music, underground labels are putting out fantastic, under appreciated releases. These small labels are the lifeblood of music and the bread and butter of the working musician. These next few, presented in no particular order, stand out from their peers for the sheer excellence of their catalog. Buy their records and buy back your soul!

10. Fudgeworthy Records

A Grindcore/Black Metal label run by the legendary Charlie Infection, Fudgeworthy is home to the beer-addled blackened grinders Gonkulator, ripping hardcore bastards Jesus Chrust, and thrash-grind beard-o's Goatfelch, among others. With countless releases and a rich history, Fudgeworthy is a modern jem.

http://www.discogs.com/label/45079-Fudgeworthy-Records

9. Dumpster Noise Records

The label is without a logo, but this image is from the label co-owners blog

Dumpster Noise Records certainly puts out music that fits the name of the label. If you're looking for raw, disgusting, disturbing (one of the groups is called Female Pedophile!) power electronics or noise this is up your alley. 

http://www.dumpsternoise.bigcartel.com/

8. To Live a Lie Records

The United States finest purveyor of powerviolence, fastcore, and grindcore, To Live a Lie Records is fast, cost-effective, and just goddamn wonderful. Where else could you buy that Sordo 7-inch you wanted? Or vegan patches? Or damn near every Agathocles album?

http://www.tolivealie.com/

7. Extreme Records

One of the more well-known on this list, Extreme records has been in operation since 1987 and has been responsible for releasing albums by the likes of NON and Jim O'Rourke as well as the mighty Merzbox. Recently, the label has branched out to jazz, with albums from The Antripodean Collective and Marc Hannaford. 

http://www.xtr.com/catalog/latest/

6. Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records

Brooklyn Jazz Records is one of the few modern labels I know that still focuses on Cool Jazz and Modal Jazz, instead of their, more experimental, descendants. Great recordings, great players (John Chin is a standout), and a great, old school New York vibe. Groove on over and buy some rekkids.

http://www.bjurecords.com/

5. Todestrieb Records

Just how occult do you like your Black Metal? No, no, no. How OCCULT do you like your black metal? Is using an actual honest to god tomb door as percussion occult enough for you? Fuck yeah it is because T.O.M.B, a band signed to the label above, actually fucking did that. Buy records from these guys or you're not kvlt and I'm telling Fenriz.

http://label.todestrieb.co.uk/

4. Chondritic Sound

One of the most enigmatic, challenging, and high-quality series of releases from any label, the Chondritic Sound back catalogue is simply sublime. Every artist, especially Hive Mind, is simply brilliant. There's a reason this label is a favorite of Henry Rollins. 

http://www.chondriticsound.com/

3. Deathwish Inc.

This is probably the most hyped hardcore label of all time. It is actually popular enough to garner some mainstream acceptance and it absolutely deserves it. Converge. Cold World. Punch. Nothing but the highest quality of metallic hardcore. 

4. Rainbow Bridge Records

A prolific house of experimental arts, Rainbow Bridge seems to put out two tapes a year, most of them all somehow involving label runner Justin Marc Lloyd. 

1. DIW Records

A Japanese record label specializing in Avant-Garde jazz, DIW recordings is difficult to buy from for us westerners, but any difficulty is worth it. Because of this label I own every Kaoru Abe record, and for that I am forever thankful.