Season of Mist

France • MarseillesFounded 1996

Season of Mist is an independent metal record label originally founded in France and now represented worldwide, with offices in Marseilles (France), Philadelphia (US), and Vaassen (Netherlands). It has gained a reputation as an innovative, wide-spectrum metal label, representing world-class metal acts while remaining true to the underground via the Season of Mist Underground Activists sublabel. Its 2026 releases include TEMIC's Ceiba (October 2, 2026).

Contact & HQ

Headquarters

Marseilles, France (offices in Philadelphia, US and Vaassen, Netherlands)

Ownership & Distribution

Label Type

Independent Label

Parent Company

Independently owned

Distribution

Independent distribution network (in-house distribution branch)

Additional Details

Genres

Black MetalDeath MetalProgressive MetalAvant-Garde MetalDoom Metal

Signing Process

Season of Mist runs its own A&R across its three offices. Unsolicited demos are not accepted. The label signs metal acts through A&R scouting and referrals, with a focus on innovative and wide-spectrum metal. Season of Mist also operates a distribution branch that distributes releases from countless other labels.

Demo Policy

No unsolicited demos. Submit through representation or build a strong underground profile first.

Notable Artists

TEMIC
Kingcrow
Rotting Christ
Mayhem (catalog)
Septicflesh
Heimoth

Sub-Labels / Imprints

Season of Mist Underground Activists

Season of Mist is an independent metal record label originally founded in France and now represented worldwide, with offices in Marseilles (France), Philadelphia (US), and Vaassen (Netherlands). It has gained a reputation as an innovative, wide-spectrum metal label, interested in exploring and developing new artists and bands. The label represents world-class metal acts but also leads the hordes towards new creative horizons and remains true to the underground via the sublabel Season of Mist Underground Activists. Its 2026 releases include TEMIC's Ceiba (October 2, 2026), featuring current and former members of Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress, Neal Morse Band, Haken, Shining, and Maraton.

Season of Mist has three official offices based in Marseilles, Philadelphia, and Vaassen. Having multiple offices, the label is heavily represented in the world's leading markets for metal and rock music: Europe and America. All releases are promoted with reviews, interviews, advertisements, samplers, giveaways, merchandise, touring, and more. Besides its activities as a record label, the Season of Mist online shop is a destination for vinyl, band merchandise, and special box sets. The distribution branch of the company distributes releases from countless other labels. Combining all these activities, Season of Mist has become one of the biggest independent record companies in today's metal community.

How Season of Mist Operates

Season of Mist runs dedicated A&R across its three offices in France, the US, and the Netherlands. It operates its own distribution branch, which distributes releases from countless other labels in addition to its own releases. The label's strength is its wide-spectrum metal curation (from black metal to progressive metal to avant-garde) and its global office spread across Europe and America. The Season of Mist Underground Activists sublabel handles more underground and extreme releases.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make black metal, death metal, progressive metal, or avant-garde metal, Season of Mist is one of the biggest independent metal labels in the world, with a global office spread and its own distribution branch. Its track record with acts like Rotting Christ and Mayhem (catalog) shows it can sustain careers in extreme metal. Its 2026 signing of TEMIC (a supergroup featuring members of Devin Townsend, Haken, and Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress) shows continued investment in progressive metal.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

Metal focus: Season of Mist signs metal and its subgenres. Artists outside metal should look elsewhere.
No unsolicited demos: Season of Mist does not accept cold submissions.
Underground expectations: Season of Mist favors bands with underground credibility and a distinct artistic identity.
European base: The label's primary offices are in Europe. US-based artists may find communication more challenging.