Interview with Isaac owner of Born For Burning Prod. done on 9-12-21

 

1.Hello Isaac please introduce yourself to the readers?

My name is Isaac owner of Born For Burning Productions. The label was started in Burlington VT and has since moved to Philadelphia PA. The label has no real style. Mainly stick to the extreme metal end of the spectrum. But am always on the lookout for a traditional heavy metal band to work with. I have a soft spot for that stuff.

2.When did you first discover rock and metal music and who were the first artists and bands you discovered?Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?

My interest in rock/heavy metal goes back always. I was born in 1975 and I’m lucky to have a sister that was into Kiss. When I was younger I would go into her room and take her Kiss 45s and play them on my Fisher Price Record Player. Yes I’m dating myself. That was it until 86 when my mom through Columbia House got Master Of Puppets on cassette because she forgot to mail the card back. I was intrigued by the cover art. She would try and hide it on me but I would always find it. So she finally gave in and let me have the cassette. I had no clue what I was listening to but I loved that cassette and played the shit out of it. Then Gun’s N Roses happened and Jr. High at the same time. My cousins Dave was also a big influence. We are about the same age and when one of us would find a new band we should share. A lot of it was thrash and traditional heavy metal. VT is a small market for metal. When my cousin and I discovered Metal disc then more death and black metal came into out lives. Now the internet delivers the good. Some of the current bands. Hmm I’ve been really into Lightcrusher are a great band. They are a death/ black/doom hybrid. Till, Goatpiss, Angel Massacre, Ancient Torment, and Murrum. I tried not to list bands I’m releasing stuff by but the new Lightcrusher is fucking awesome and the Till i’m repressing is so fucking good.

3.When did you first get the idea to start a label?How did you choose Born For Burning Prod. as the name for the label?

 I had the idea a little over two years ago. VT has small but decent metal scene and I was sick of not seeing it get its due. I got the name from a Bathory song title and I felt it defines the label. So I decided to start my own label. Cd are the most economically friendly format so that’s what I started with. I’m now doing things on cassette. Someday vinyl but it’s so expensive and it takes so long to get pressed that I haven’t gone that route yet.

4.Are you satisfied with how things have progressed with the label so far?What do you feel is the easiest and hardest part about running a label?

 I’m extremely satisfied on how things are going. It’s growing slowly and that’s how I wanted it. I didn’t and haven’t had the feeling of being overwhelmed by the label and that’s a good thing. This year so far has been amazing and the stuff I have released has been really well received. I’m excited for the rest of the year and what the future holds

5.Do you run the label by yourself or do you have some friends that help you out?How many hours a day would you say you work on label business?

I run the whole show by myself. It depends on the day on how long I spend working on it. I work Fri, Sat, Sun 12 hour shifts so I get nothing done on those days. But for the most part I could spend a good chunk of the day promoting or It could just be an hour or two. I feel with this new job and my schedule that I can devote more time.

6.What styles of metal do you prefer to release on the label? Is the label roster full at this time or are you taking submissions for future releases?If any bands are reading this how can they get in contact with you?

I can be picky on what I release. But mainly it’s been Black, War, Blackened Thrash and Speed Metal. But like I said I’m on the lookout for a traditional heavy metal band. I’m really picky on my doom when I listen to it but have no desire to release any. I’m also on the lookout for more Death Metal. I really only have 1 Death Metal release and that’s the Invultation cd. I’m more into the traditional sounding Death Metal. I mean if your band sounds like Angel Corpse Or Achiron I will most likely work with you. Bands can contact me through my email bornforburning1975@gmail.com

7.What are some of your current releases that the readers can purchase?Are their any upcoming releases that the readers should watch out for?

 Current stuff I have a lot. Woundcult, Askalaphos, Sárnes, Invultation, Kadub Kult, Adultère, Blasphemous Degradation, Ejaculatör, Order Of Doom, Wyrre, Korihor, Hell Priest, Shitangel, and Hellcunt. All on cd by the way. Just to name some fo the current stuff I have out. Stuff coming out. At the manufacturer right now I have Battlethrone Cd Ep, Lightcrusher-Forever But Never Named-Cd, Terrorist-Left In Desolation-Cd Repress, Void Of Melancholy-Cassette, and Neftaraka-Unholy Sovereign-Cassette

8.What styles of metal do you carry in your distro?Do you do many trades or do you prefer to buy wholesale?

I carry stuff from Iron Bonehead, Hells Headbangers, Sound Of White Noise out of TX. My distro is small. I will do trades with other labels. But would prefer wholesale.

9.If their are any labels or distro's reading this what styles of metal besides black metal do you carry in your distro?Where can the labels get in touch with you about possible trades?

I’m down for trading for Black, Death and Speed Metal. I like to keep my distro small. But I am down for trades it’s a big help to get the stuff out for all parties. Contact info is bornforburning1975@gmail.com

10.What does Underground Metal mean to you?

Keeping it to the people. I mean if I walk into a Best Buy and see a Satanic Warmaster cd then I’m done.

11.When you need to take a break from working on label business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Watching horror movies, and reading. I’m into old horror paperbacks and Stephen King novels.

12.Did you read alot of fanzines when you first started out in the Underground Scene?If yes what were some of your favorite fanzines to read?

12. I like fanzines and have a huge respect for them. I don’t buy them a lot. But there is a need for then. One you folks should check out is Fideicide. Awesome zine out of V

13.What do you feel made a good fanzine?Are their any current fan or web-zines that you try to keep up with?

13. For me it’s the support they give to the labels and bands. Album reviews and interviews are really important. Especially for small labels and bands. I read your webzine and Soulgrinder Zine is the tits. Oh shit how could I forget New England Extreme Metal Zine. I try to keep up with them as much as I can. They have help with me discovering bands. I do watch some vlogs(I hate that word).

14.Besides fanzines i know tape-trading was huge back in the 80's and 90's did you do any tape trading?What were some of your most prized releases that you were able to buy or trade for?

Hmm I never tape traded. Stuff I had that I bought that I wish I still owned. Beherit-The Oath Of Black Blood on JL America on cassette. Ya it’s not the Turbo press but still it was an old pressing.

15.Besides music i have noticed on your facebook page you sometimes post movies that you are watching or watched.Are you a big movie fan?

 I’m a huge movie buff since I was a kid.

16.What styles of movies do you watch the most of?What are some of your all-time favorite movies to watch?Are their any current movies that has caught your attention?

 I’m all over the board on movies. But mainly horror, action, exploitation, comedies, spaghetti westerns, and Italian crime dramas.

17.Who are your all-time favorite actresses and actors? Are their any directors that you like to watch the most?

 Some of my favorite actors and actresses are Franco Nero, Paul Naschy, Thomas Milian, Henry Silva, Edwige Fenech, Tisa Farrow, Katherine MacColl, and Giovanni Lombardo Redice. Directors I would say Dario Argentine, Ruggero Deodato, Umberto Lenzi, Fernando Di Lo, and George Romero.

18.Thank you Isaac for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?

Thank you Patrick for the interview. I’m always looking for new bands. Contact me at bornforburning1975@gmail.com and if you was to purchase any BFBP titles go to bornforburning.bigcartel.com                                                                                                                        Label Contacts                                                                                                                                               bornforburning1975@gmail.com                                                                                                                 https://bornforburning.bigcartel.com/                                                                                                           https://www.facebook.com/bloodfiredeath1975