It is fair to say that metal labels don't get much more iconic than Roadrunner Records.  An inescapable presence in the metal community since the eighties, Roadrunner has been home to landmark releases from the likes of Slipknot, Sepultura, Type O Negative, Fear Factory, Killswitch Engage, King Diamond, Dream Theater,  Korn, Coal Chamber, Gojira, Nickelback, Machine Head, Trivium and Code Orange, among countless others. In a constantly changing musical landscape, the label has remained an imprint we metalheads could trust and count on to deliver us new albums from our favourite bands, while also introducing us to our next batch of favourite acts. 



As we head into 2022, Roadrunner Records looks set to continue doing just that and at Maniacs, we are particularly excited about six acts who are shaping up to be the bold new faces of Roadrunner Records future.  This is the new breed. 



The New Breed: Six Acts Shaping Roadrunner Records Bold Future 



Code Orange

At this stage, innovative Pittsburgh hardcore punks Code Orange need no introduction. Having churned out four full-length records that have showcased enormous sonic growth, the band stands atop the pile of modern heavy acts thanks to their forward thinking approach. Coming off the back of two enormous, critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums in the form of Forever and Underneath, which earned the band consecutive GRAMMY award nominations, Code Orange shape up as the leaders of the new breed of Roadrunner Records. Following the release of the recent single Out For Blood it appears that the band is gearing up for an all-out assault on 2022. 

Turnstile 

Baltimore hardcore visionaries, Turnstile proved to be one of the breakout success stories of 2021, with their third full-length album Glow On finishing on top of many album of the year lists (including ours). A forward-thinking, hyperactive blast of creative energy and expressionism, Glow On earned Turnstile them the type of attention that saw them flirt with mainstream crossover status, while their passionate fanbase ensured they sold-out pretty much every show they played, record they pressed and merch item they produced.  A band on a seemingly endless creative evolution, Turnstile appear to be just getting started and that is a very exciting prospect. 

Fever 333 

Inflammatory Inglewood political punk/rap/rock outfit Fever 333 are a force to be reckoned with heading into 2022. Fronted by former letlive. frontman and frantic ball of energy, Jason Aalon Butler,  with guitar from ex-The Chariot member Steve Harris and Night Verses drummer/percussive wizard Aric Improta, Fever 333 have established a reputation as one of the world's best live acts, while also being one of the most played acts on US satellite radio. Unapologetically and relentlessly political, they are also prolific, having released one full-length album (Strength in Numb333rs), two EP's (Made An America, Wrong Generation) and countless collaborative efforts in their four years of existence. Their combination of work-ethic, steadfast commitment to their ethos and the consistent quality and passion of their recorded works, has resulted in them amassing a legion of allies across the world. We highly recommend seeing them whenever you can, there's a fever coming. 

Dana Dentata 

Canadian Dana Dentata has gained distinction for being equal parts empowering and provocative. By pairing her unapologetically sexual lyrics with genre-blurring production, Dentata creates liberating and aggressive femme-centric hip-hop.  A native of Toronto, Canada, she grew up inspired by artists ranging from Britney Spears and Hole to the Plasmatics and Eminem. The first female signee to Roadrunner Records, Dentata dropped her debut album Pantychrist last year and it is the sound of a new beginning for Dana Dentata.  Recorded over lockdown with an array of producers including Travis Barker, Dylan Brady, Arthur Rizk, NOLIFE, Yawns & Fish Narc, Italian Leather and others, Pantychrist represents the culmination of Dana Dentata’s spiritual and artistic breakthrough; her evolution from darkness into light.  A collection of songs resulting from a period of healing and positive manifestations, Pantychrist is the sound of her coming to life. 

Creeper 

Southampton goth-punks, Creeper are already a pretty big fucking deal in their homeland, if the quality of the songs on their two-full length albums (Eternity In Your Arms, Sex, Death and the Infinite Void) and three EPs, (Creeper, The Stranger, The Callous Heart, American Noir) are anything to judge it by, we're pretty confident that soon they'll be a pretty big deal everywhere, very soon. The songs are just too undeniable for that not to be the case. A unique combination of goth, emo, punk and brit-pop stylings, Creeper are one of the most exciting,  creative and dedicated acts to emerge from the UK in a decade. Fronted by the unmistakable voice of Will Gould (who somehow also finds the time to be the creative visionary of Roadrunner labelmates Salem) who is ably supported by a band sharing his darkly romantic creative wavelength, Creeper has established a reputation as being one of the most tirelessly innovative and driven bands in the UK, constantly pushing themselves to adapt and evolve, while remaining true to their vision.  That vision includes some seriously inspired marketing ideas and loyal dedication to their committed fanbase. If you've been looking for your next goth/emo/punk obsession look no further than Creeper. 

Unto Others 

Portland, Oregon gothic-metal masters Unto Others dropped Strength via Roadrunner Records last year. Produced and mixed by Arthur Rizk, Strength was one of our albums of the year and was also home to one of our favourite songs of the year, When Will Gods Work Be Done.  At Maniacs, we feel it is the finest gothic-metal/rock crossover album in recent memory, a genuine stunner with the potential to bring gothic-metal back to mainstream prominence. It serves as the perfect evidence as why Unto Others are one of the most exciting prospects on the Roadrunner Records roster. They also happen obe the one with the most obvious sonic link to the label's legacy, with their sound featuring more than a hint of Type O Negative. The metal press has been similarly passionate in their praise for Strength, Decibel affirmed “it’s obvious that Unto Others are aiming high. Lucky for us, they have the songs to back it up,” while Metal Hammer declared Unto Others “the underground's next breakout band.”, “For a metal album that will define 2021, look no further,” raved SPIN with Heaviest of Art proclaiming, “With this album, Unto Others takes a bold and dangerous step towards stadiums everywhere.”  If they prove correct, then the future of Roadrunner Records is best left Unto Others. 

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