Music
15 Mar 23

Metallica have invested in a personal vinyl pressing plant

The band's upcoming album 72 Seasons is due to drop April 14th 2023.

In an effort to keep up with their own demand, heavy metal rockers Metallica have bought a vinyl pressing plant. The band are now the proud new owners of Furnace Record Pressing, based in Alexandria, Virginia. The company has already been working with Metallica for roughly 15 years. According to Metallica, the idea behind the purchase is to keep up with the demand for the group’s back catalogue on vinyl, in addition to meeting their needs for their upcoming album, 72 Seasons.

Their relationship with Furnace first began in 2008, and the company has helped the band keep their catalogue in print as well as expansive box set reissues of Metallica, Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning, among others.

Furnace Record Pressing’s founder and CEO Eric Astor, told Billboard that the plant will continue with non-Metallica projects, but did not divulge any details for the allocation of resources.

In a separate statement, Astor said, “Building Furnace into the dedicated and experienced family of experts that it is today has been a huge effort, but immensely gratifying. Knowing our long-term future is secured while also being better able to take advantage of growth opportunities is really exciting for every member of the Furnace staff.”

Jack White, whose Third Man Records opened their own pressing plant in 2017 extended a heartfelt congratulations to the metal band on Instagram. “Welcome to the cause gents! And thank you for putting your money to amazing creative use!,” he wrote. White continued, “Here’s hoping the major labels will also see this as further proof, and finally start investing in themselves.”

Arriving a few weeks ahead of their new album, 72 Seasons, out April 14th, the pressing plant will be integral to meeting the needs of this new release with being the first LP from Metallica in more than six years. So far, 'If Darkness Had a Son,' 'Screaming Suicide,' and 'Lux Æterna' have been shared from the record.

Metallica will embark on a tour of the US and Europe this year and next, beginning April 27th in Amsterdam, Netherlands.