# Century Media Records > German record label **Wikidata**: [Q158867](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q158867) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Century_Media_Records) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/century-media-records ## Summary Century Media Records is a German record label founded in 1988, specializing in the marketing of music recordings and music videos. It operates as a commercial name and imprint under a record company, functioning as a key entity within the phonographic industry. ## Key Facts - **Founded**: 1988 - **Country of Origin**: Germany - **Industry**: Phonographic industry - **Role**: Brand and trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos - **Parent Organization**: Sony Music Entertainment - **Subsidiaries**: Inside Out Music - **Genre Focus**: Progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, heavy metal music - **Website**: https://www.centurymedia.com/ - **Wikidata ID**: Q330629 - **GND ID**: 7860465-5 - **BabelNet ID**: 00049558n - **Library of Congress Authority ID**: sh87003409 - **LoC Classification**: ML3792.A-ML3792.Z - **Sitelink Count**: 30 - **Wikipedia Title**: Century Media Records - **Wikidata Description**: German record label ## FAQs - **What is Century Media Records?** Century Media Records is a German record label founded in 1988, specializing in the marketing of music recordings and music videos. It operates as a commercial name and imprint under a record company, functioning as a key entity within the phonographic industry. - **What genres does Century Media Records focus on?** Century Media Records focuses on genres such as progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music. It has signed artists and bands from these genres, contributing to its reputation in the music industry. - **Who are some notable artists signed to Century Media Records?** Century Media Records has signed notable artists and bands such as Dark Tranquillity, Nevermore, Lacuna Coil, and Iced Earth. These artists have contributed to the label's reputation and success in the music industry. - **What is the relationship between Century Media Records and Sony Music Entertainment?** Century Media Records is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. This relationship allows the label to leverage Sony's global distribution network and resources, enhancing its ability to market and distribute music recordings and videos. - **What are the key facts about Century Media Records' history and operations?** Century Media Records was founded in 1988 and is based in Germany. It operates as a commercial name and imprint under a record company, functioning as a key entity within the phonographic industry. The label has a strong focus on progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music. - **What are the notable achievements of Century Media Records?** Century Media Records has achieved notable success by signing and promoting artists such as Dark Tranquillity, Nevermore, Lacuna Coil, and Iced Earth. The label has contributed to the growth and popularity of these bands, enhancing its reputation in the music industry. - **What is the significance of Century Media Records in the music industry?** Century Media Records plays a significant role in the music industry by specializing in the marketing of music recordings and music videos. It has a strong focus on progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music, contributing to its reputation and success. ## Why It Matters Century Media Records is a significant entity in the phonographic industry, specializing in the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Founded in 1988 and based in Germany, the label operates as a commercial name and imprint under a record company. Century Media Records has a strong focus on progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music, contributing to its reputation and success. The label has signed notable artists and bands such as Dark Tranquillity, Nevermore, Lacuna Coil, and Iced Earth, enhancing its influence in the music industry. As a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, Century Media Records leverages Sony's global distribution network and resources, further enhancing its ability to market and distribute music recordings and videos. The label's significance lies in its role as a key player in the phonographic industry, contributing to the growth and popularity of various music genres. ## Notable For - **Genre Specialization**: Century Media Records is notable for its focus on progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music, contributing to its reputation and success in these genres. - **Notable Artists**: The label has signed and promoted notable artists and bands such as Dark Tranquillity, Nevermore, Lacuna Coil, and Iced Earth, enhancing its influence in the music industry. - **Global Distribution**: As a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, Century Media Records leverages Sony's global distribution network and resources, enhancing its ability to market and distribute music recordings and videos. - **Historical Significance**: Century Media Records was founded in 1988 and has a strong presence in the phonographic industry, contributing to the growth and popularity of various music genres. - **Commercial Success**: The label has achieved notable commercial success by signing and promoting artists such as Dark Tranquillity, Nevermore, Lacuna Coil, and Iced Earth, enhancing its reputation in the music industry. ## Body ### Definition and Scope Century Media Records is a German record label founded in 1988, specializing in the marketing of music recordings and music videos. It operates as a commercial name and imprint under a record company, functioning as a key entity within the phonographic industry. The label is known for its focus on progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music, contributing to its reputation and success in these genres. ### Differentiation from Record Companies Century Media Records, as a record label, differs from a record company in its role as a brand and trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. While a record company handles the logistical and financial aspects of music production, a record label serves as the public-facing identity for music distribution. This distinction is codified in Wikidata, where "record label" is explicitly labeled as different from "record company." ### Subclass Relationships Century Media Records is hierarchically linked to broader concepts such as trade name, brand, trademark, and music organization. These relationships emphasize its role as both a legal and cultural entity within the phonographic industry. The label is subclassified under these concepts, reflecting its commercial and branding functions. ### Industry and Classification Century Media Records is integral to the phonographic industry, classified under the Library of Congress classification ML3792.A-ML3792.Z. This classification categorizes literature on individual record companies and labels, A-Z. The label's commercial role involves managing music videos and recordings as marketable assets, often overseeing artist contracts and royalties. ### Digital and Cultural Presence Century Media Records has a strong digital and cultural presence, with Wikipedia coverage available in 63 languages, including English, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Chinese. The label is aligned with ontologies such as DBpedia and MusicBrainz, ensuring machine-readable data interoperability. Its digital repositories include the Commons category "Record labels," which aggregates visual and media content related to the label. ### Maintenance and Community Century Media Records is maintained and supported by WikiProject Music, which oversees Wikipedia content standardization. The label's content is organized using a dedicated infobox template and main category "Category:Record labels." This ensures accuracy and consistency in label-related articles. ### Equivalent Classes and Identifiers Century Media Records is linked to various cross-database IDs, including BabelNet (00049558n), GND (7860465-5), and LoC Authority ID (sh87003409). These identifiers facilitate data integration and ensure the label's presence across multiple knowledge systems. The label is also mapped to semantic web links, enabling linked-data queries. ### Historical and Technical Context Century Media Records has adapted to technological shifts in the phonographic industry, from physical formats (vinyl, CDs) to digital streaming. As a trademark, the label protects intellectual property, while as a brand, it cultivates artist identity and market positioning. This dual role underscores its enduring relevance in the music industry. ### Notable Connections Century Media Records is connected to key databases such as MusicBrainz, which emphasizes its role in music information infrastructure. The label is linked to Wikidata properties such as P264 (record label), P1955 (discography), and P966 (founder), facilitating data integration. These connections highlight the label's significance in the global music industry. ### Artists and Bands Century Media Records has signed and promoted notable artists and bands, including Dark Tranquillity, Nevermore, Lacuna Coil, and Iced Earth. These artists have contributed to the label's reputation and success in the music industry. The label's focus on progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music has enhanced its influence and popularity. ### Global Distribution As a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment, Century Media Records leverages Sony's global distribution network and resources. This relationship allows the label to market and distribute music recordings and videos on a global scale, enhancing its ability to reach a wide audience. The label's global presence contributes to its reputation and success in the music industry. ### Cultural Impact Century Media Records has a significant cultural impact, contributing to the growth and popularity of various music genres. The label's focus on progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music has enhanced its influence and reputation in the music industry. Its cultural presence is reflected in its Wikipedia coverage in 63 languages, highlighting its universal impact on music culture. ### Legal and Commercial Roles Century Media Records serves as a commercial name and imprint under a record company, managing music videos and recordings as marketable assets. The label oversees artist contracts and royalties, playing a central role in the production, distribution, and promotion of music content globally. Its legal and commercial roles are integral to its function within the phonographic industry. ### Future Prospects Century Media Records continues to adapt to the evolving landscape of the phonographic industry, embracing technological advancements and market trends. The label's focus on progressive rock, punk rock, extreme metal, and heavy metal music ensures its relevance and success in the music industry. Its commitment to innovation and quality ensures its continued growth and influence. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. Discogs 3. [Source](https://www.insideoutmusic.com/imprint/de/) 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. MusicBrainz 6. Quora 7. YouTube API