Sumerian Records

United States • Los AngelesFounded 2006

Sumerian Records is an American independent label founded in 2006 by Ash Avildsen in Los Angeles. It specializes in metalcore, progressive metal, and djent, and is home to Animals as Leaders, Periphery, and Born of Osiris. It is distributed by The Orchard (Sony).

Contact & HQ

Headquarters

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Ownership & Distribution

Label Type

Independent Label

Parent Company

Independently owned

Distribution

The Orchard (Sony)

Additional Details

Genres

MetalcoreProgressive MetalDjentHeavy MetalRock

Signing Process

Sumerian runs its own A&R. Unsolicited demos are not accepted. Artists are signed through A&R scouting at shows and on streaming, and through referrals. Sumerian favors technically proficient metal and rock acts with strong touring followings.

Demo Policy

No unsolicited demos. Submit through representation or build a strong touring and streaming profile first.

Notable Artists

Animals as Leaders
Periphery
Born of Osiris
Veil of Maya
The Faceless
Asking Alexandria (catalog)

Sumerian Records is an American independent label founded in 2006 by Ash Avildsen in Los Angeles. It specializes in metalcore, progressive metal, djent, and heavy metal. Sumerian is home to Animals as Leaders, Periphery, Born of Osiris, and Veil of Maya. It is distributed by The Orchard (Sony's independent distribution arm), giving it major-distribution reach while remaining independently owned.

Sumerian built its reputation on the 2010s djent and progressive metal movement. Its signings of Animals as Leaders and Periphery defined the modern progressive metal sound. The label also released Asking Alexandria's early catalog. Sumerian's identity is tightly linked to technically proficient metal and the touring ecosystem around it.

How Sumerian Operates

Sumerian runs dedicated A&R for metalcore, progressive metal, and djent. It is distributed by The Orchard, which gives it access to Sony's distribution network. The label's strength is its deep ties to the progressive metal and metalcore touring community. Its A&R favors bands with strong technical ability and live followings.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make progressive metal, djent, or technically driven metalcore, Sumerian is one of the most respected independent labels in that niche. Its roster of genre-defining progressive metal acts (Animals as Leaders, Periphery) shows it signs artists who push technical boundaries.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

Genre focus: Sumerian signs progressive metal, djent, and metalcore. Artists outside that world should look elsewhere.
No unsolicited demos: Sumerian does not accept cold submissions.
Touring expectations: Sumerian's model favors bands with strong live followings.
Niche market: Progressive metal is a small market, which affects advance sizes and marketing budgets.