The kings of heavy metal acquired one of the largest vinyl factories

Renowned for its independent spirit, major label band Metallica has recently announced the acquisition of Furnace Record Pressing, a facility located in Alexandria, Virginia. This strategic move aims to support the band’s growing vinyl business, which has expanded through the continuous release of catalogue albums and the creation of ambitious box sets for their dedicated fanbase. 

Furnace has been working with Metallica for ten years, gaining a reputation for producing high-quality vinyl. Amidst supply-chain issues and manufacturing delays, the facility has helped the band ensure the majority of their albums remain available, along with an increasing range of ambitious box sets.

The latest “Black album” box set includes a double LP, three live albums, 14 CDs, and six DVDs. In 2021, Furnace pressed over 902,500 vinyl records for more than 620,000 packages, with approximately half of them being sold by the band in the United States.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating that they are thrilled to take their collaboration with Furnace to the next level. Singer-guitarist and co-founder James Hetfield echoed the sentiment, emphasising that the facility has been integral to both Metallica and their fans. The acquisition will ensure that fans continue to have access to high-quality records in the future.

According to Furnace’s management, the facility will not undergo significant changes, and the plan is to continue working on both Metallica-related and unrelated projects. This acquisition will enable increased investments while maintaining quality and service across the board.