# Spinefarm Records

> Finnish record label

**Wikidata**: [Q1124153](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1124153)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinefarm_Records)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spinefarm-records

## Summary
Spinefarm Records is a Finnish record label founded in 1990, specializing in rock, heavy metal, and hard rock music. Operating as an imprint within the phonographic industry, the label is associated with Universal Music Group and oversees operations for Candlelight Records. With a geographic footprint spanning Finland, Helsinki, London, and New York, Spinefarm is recognized for its extensive roster of prominent metal bands, including Nightwish, Children of Bodom, and Sonata Arctica.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1990
- **Type**: Record label and imprint
- **Primary Genres**: Rock music, heavy metal music, hard rock
- **Headquarters/Operations**: Finland, Helsinki, London, New York
- **Parent Organization**: Universal Music Group
- **Subsidiary/Operated Entity**: Candlelight Records
- **Website**: https://www.spinefarmrecords.com/
- **Identifiers**:
  - ISNI: 152652896
  - BNF: 13973260q
  - MusicBrainz: f82bd568-e4b3-4609-ab68-484b59b220d5
  - Discogs: 38986
  - Freebase: /m/05k8m5
  - RateYourMusic: 14
- **Social Media**:
  - Twitter/X: @Spinefarm
  - Instagram: @spinefarmrecords
  - Facebook: spinefarm
  - YouTube: UCqjtD7Ec9tSThagnyhLBsQA
  - Spotify: spinefarm_records
- **Streaming IDs (Apple Music)**: 24497.0, 24501.0, 96900.0, 24208.0, 24057.0, 102000.0, 105000.0, 109000.0

## FAQs
- **What genres of music does Spinefarm Records focus on?**
  The label primarily focuses on rock music, heavy metal, and hard rock.
- **Where is Spinefarm Records located?**
  Spinefarm Records operates in Finland, with specific locations listed in Helsinki, London, and New York.
- **Who owns Spinefarm Records?**
  Spinefarm Records is associated with Universal Music Group as a parent organization and operates Candlelight Records.
- **When was Spinefarm Records founded?**
  The label was founded in 1990.
- **What are some of the notable bands signed to Spinefarm Records?**
  The label's roster includes notable acts such as Nightwish, Children of Bodom, Sonata Arctica, Ensiferum, Amorphis, and Ghost.

## Why It Matters
Spinefarm Records holds a significant place in the global music industry as a major conduit for Finnish heavy metal and rock. By launching and nurturing the careers of genre-defining bands like Nightwish and Children of Bodom, the label has played a crucial role in popularizing symphonic metal and melodic death metal worldwide. Its expansion from a Finnish entity to an international label with operations in London and New York demonstrates its adaptability and influence in the broader phonographic market. Furthermore, its association with Universal Music Group and stewardship of imprints like Candlelight Records allows it to manage a diverse catalog that spans from extreme metal to modern hard rock, ensuring the preservation and distribution of influential music across decades.

## Notable For
- **Finnish Metal Export**: Instrumental in bringing Finnish metal bands like Nightwish, Children of Bodom, and Sonata Arctica to international audiences.
- **Genre Diversity**: Hosts a wide array of subgenres including folk metal (Ensiferum, Finntroll), melodic death metal (Dark Tranquillity, Norther), and industrial metal (Turmion Kätilöt).
- **Landmark Albums**: Released critically acclaimed albums such as Nightwish's *Oceanborn*, *Wishmaster*, and *Once*, and Children of Bodom's *Hate Crew Deathroll* and *Follow the Reaper*.
- **Global Operations**: Established a presence in key music cities including Helsinki, London, and New York.
- **Digital Integration**: Maintains a comprehensive digital footprint across major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

## Body

### Identity and Corporate Structure
Spinefarm Records is a Finnish record label and imprint established in 1990. It operates within the phonographic industry, focusing on the marketing of music recordings and videos. The label is structured under the Universal Music Group umbrella, which serves as its parent organization. Additionally, Spinefarm operates Candlelight Records, a UK-based label founded in 1993. The corporate entity is identified by various international standards, including an ISNI (152652896) and a MusicBrainz ID (f82bd568-e4b3-4609-ab68-484b59b220d5).

### Geographic Footprint
The label's operations are rooted in Finland but have expanded significantly to include major international hubs. Its geographic scope encompasses the country of Finland, the capital city of Helsinki, the UK capital of London, and the state of New York in the United States. This multi-regional presence facilitates the management and distribution of its global artist roster.

### Musical Roster and Genres
Spinefarm Records is renowned for its extensive roster of artists specializing in rock, heavy metal, and hard rock. The label has been a home for some of the most prominent bands in the metal scene.

#### Symphonic and Power Metal
The label has a strong history with symphonic and power metal acts. **Nightwish**, a Finnish symphonic metal band, has released numerous albums and singles through Spinefarm, including *Angels Fall First*, *Oceanborn*, *Wishmaster*, *Century Child*, *Once*, and *Dark Passion Play*. Their singles such as "The Carpenter," "Sleeping Sun," "Deep Silent Complete," "The Kinslayer," "Wish I Had an Angel," "The Siren," "Amaranth," "Erämaan viimeinen," "Bye Bye Beautiful," and "The Islander" are also part of the catalog. **Sonata Arctica**, another key power metal band, has released works like *Ecliptica*, *Silence*, *Successor*, *Orientation*, *Songs of Silence*, *Takatalvi*, and *The Collection*, along with singles like "Wolf & Raven," "Victoria's Secret," "Broken," and "Replica 2006."

#### Melodic Death Metal and Extreme Metal
Spinefarm is a major player in the melodic death metal genre. **Children of Bodom**, a seminal Finnish band, released albums such as *Something Wild*, *Hatebreeder*, *Follow the Reaper*, *Hate Crew Deathroll*, *Are You Dead Yet?*, and *Blooddrunk*, as well as live recordings like *Tokyo Warhearts – Live In Japan 1999* and *Stockholm Knockout Live*. Other notable melodic death metal acts include **Norther** (*Dreams of Endless War*, *Mirror of Madness*, *Death Unlimited*, *Till Death Unites Us*), **Kalmah** (*12 Gauge*, *Seventh Swamphony*, *Palo*), and **Dark Tranquillity** (*Skydancer*, *Of Chaos and Eternal Night*). The label also hosts extreme metal acts like **Beherit** (*Drawing Down the Moon*, *H418ov21.C*), **Barathrum**, **Rotten Sound**, and **Sentenced** (*North from Here*).

#### Folk and Viking Metal
The label supports the folk metal scene with bands like **Ensiferum**, who released *Ensiferum*, *Dragonheads*, *Victory Songs*, *From Afar*, *Unsung Heroes*, and *10th Anniversary Live*. **Moonsorrow** contributes with *Suden Uni* and *Varjoina kuljemme kuolleiden maassa*, while **Finntroll** and **Metsatöll** (*Ulg*, *Äio*) are also part of the roster.

#### Modern, Heavy, and Hard Rock
Spinefarm's roster extends to modern and heavy rock genres. **Ghost**, the Swedish heavy metal band, released *Prequelle*, *Popestar*, and *Skeletá* under the label. **Amaranthe** has released *Amaranthe*, *The Nexus*, *Massive Addictive*, *Helix*, and *Maximalism*. **DragonForce** is represented by *Ultra Beatdown* and *Twilight Dementia*. The label also lists **Bullet for My Valentine** (*Gravity*), **Five Finger Death Punch** (*The Way of the Fist*, *War Is the Answer*), **While She Sleeps** (*So What?*), **Billy Talent** (*Crisis of Faith*), **Airbourne** (*Breakin' Outta Hell*, *Boneshaker*), **Sleep Token** (*Sundowning*, *Take Me Back to Eden*, *This Place Will Become Your Tomb*), **Electric Callboy**, **Reckless Love**, **Santa Cruz**, **Backyard Babies**, **Killing Joke**, **Emigrate**, **36 Crazyfists**, and **Chthonic**.

#### Other Notable Acts
The diverse roster includes **Amorphis** (*Am Universum*), **Swallow the Sun** (*Hope*, *New Moon*, *Plague of Butterflies*, *Emerald Forest and the Blackbird*), **Turmion Kätilöt**, **Charon**, **Entwine**, **To/Die/For**, **For My Pain...**, **The Black League**, **Warmen**, **Machinae Supremacy**, **Mucc**, **Brymir**, **Bloodred Hourglass**, **Ember Falls**, **SHVPES**, **Saint Asonia**, **Cyhra**, **Soen**, **Steve 'N' Seagulls**, **One Morning Left**, **Raskasta Joulua**, **Primal Rock Rebellion**, **The Treatment**, **The Almighty**, **Venom** (*Hell*, *Fallen Angels*, *From the Very Depths*), **Dead by April**, **Celesty**, **Hevein**, **Naildown**, **Sethian**, **Dynazty**, **Suburban Tribe**, **Gates of Ishtar**, **Xysma**, **Deathlike Silence**, **Rytmihäiriö**, **Babylon Whores**, **Darkwoods My Betrothed**, **Eternal Tears of Sorrow**, **myGRAIN**, **Kiuas**, **Naildown**, **Lullacry**, **Skeletá**, and **Covenant** (*In Times Before the Light*).

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
Spinefarm Records maintains a robust digital presence across various platforms. The label's official website is spinefarmrecords.com. It is active on social media under the handles @Spinefarm (Twitter), @spinefarmrecords (Instagram), and spinefarm (Facebook). Its YouTube channel is identified by the ID UCqjtD7Ec9tSThagnyhLBsQA. On streaming services, the label holds the Spotify ID spinefarm_records and multiple Apple Music IDs (24497.0, 24501.0, 96900.0, 24208.0, 24057.0, 102000.0, 105000.0, 109000.0). It is also cataloged in music databases with a Discogs ID of 38986 and a RateYourMusic ID of 14.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. YouTube API