Independent record label and record distributor with subsidiaries in France and the United States.

The record label was founded in 1996 by Michael H. Berberian in Marseille, Bouche du Rhône (France). From the start releasing Black Metal, Pagan Metal and Death Metal records, the label moved on to releasing albums of Avant-garde Metal, Gothic Metal and Punk bands as well. Season of Mist is widely respected as one of the top labels in the extreme metal scene.

The label has two offices, one in Marseilles, France and one in Philadelphia, USA.

Music

From the beginning, Season of Mist focused on releasing more extreme Heavy Metal records by stylistically diverse bands like Oxiplegatz, Bethzaida and Kampfar. With the signing of Norwegian legends Mayhem the label's profile clearly shifted towards Black Metal and attracted internationally renowned artists like Carpathian Forest, Rotting Christ, Arcturus and Solefald. The latter are representing a marked progressive and avant-garde side Season of Mist. Those black and progressive aspects are both still reflected in recent signings like Watain and Cynic.

History

Season of Mist was formed in 1996, while founder Michael S. Berberian was completing his scholarships in “International Economics Sciences”. Since his graduation the label has become a full time job for Michael and achieved a steady growth with Season of Mist now employing 17 members of staff. In the year 2002 Season of Mist also started out as a distributor for the French territory, which meanwhile includes other Heavy Metal labels like Metal Blade Records, Spinefarm Records or Napalm Records on their roster.