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Combat Records was an American independent record label founded in 1982 and based in New York City.
The label was made specifically for heavy metal and punk rock acts. Notable artists include: Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, OZ, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope, Ludichrist and Exodus. In 2017, it was announced that Combat was being relaunched by Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and Thom Hazaert as a new label imprint under their EMP Label Group.
In mid-1986, the label Noise Records signed a deal with Combat to distribute records in the US. Noise represented the bands Voivod, Celtic Frost, Helloween, Tankard, and Running Wild). Neat Records also signed with Combat, bringing Venom and Raven to the US. In contrast, Metal Blade brought Slayer and Trouble. Usually releases were issued in joint venture with the Combat logo.
The label signed thrash metal band Megadeth to a contract in November 1984. The band released their first album Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! in 1985. Capitol Records signed Megadeth in 1985, obtaining the rights from Combat to Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, Megadeth's second album. The Combat logo appeared on the back of every Megadeth album on Capitol up through 1992's Countdown to Extinction. Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! is one of the highest selling albums released by Combat Records with more than 200,000 copies sold.
The label had distribution deals with Music for Nations and Under One Flag for European releases of their catalog.
Sony Music Entertainment released most of the original Combat catalog digitally for the first time in 2015. The releases were marketed through the relaunched Music For Nations label.
In 2017, it was announced that Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and Thom Hazaert were relaunching Combat as an imprint of EMP Label Group, who have released albums from Soulfly guitarist Marc Rizzo, Wrath, Dead By Wednesday, Hatchet, Sword, and more. On New Year's Day 2018, Ellefson announced that Throw the Goat was the first new band to be signed. In 2019, Ellefson and Hazaert's Combat Records, released joint venture reissues of several classic Combat catalog titles with Century Media Records, including releases by Exodus, Possessed, and Dark Angel. Tech Death Metal End-Time Illusion released Anamnesis Genesis in late 2023 under Combat and Mindsnap Music.
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