Label
Metamkine
Berlin-based underground record label specializing in cassette releases of experimental and industrial music during the 1980s-1990s.
About
Metamkine was an underground record label active during the 1980s and early 1990s, operating from Berlin and serving as a significant outlet for experimental and industrial music. The label demonstrated a clear commitment to the cassette format as its primary medium for release, reflecting the DIY aesthetics and economic practicality favored by the European underground music scene of that era. Metamkine's artist roster included groups such as Europe-Force, whose 1987 release "Unité-Métal" exemplified the label's focus on harsh, uncompromising industrial and experimental sounds. The label's activities extended beyond pure music distribution to include printed documentation, as evidenced by their distribution catalogues from 1990 and 1991, which served to map and promote the broader underground music ecosystem. Metamkine's involvement with venues like Ballhaus Naunynstrasse—documented through live recordings—positioned the label within Berlin's vibrant experimental and post-industrial music community. The label remains a relevant historical marker for understanding European underground music distribution networks and the role of independent labels in sustaining avant-garde and industrial music during the pre-digital era.
