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SKINLAB’S ‘BOUND, GAGGED AND BLINDFOLDED’ REISSUED FOR RECORD STORE DAY 2025
Exclusive Limited Edition 2LP Colored Vinyl Includes Personal Liner Notes And Bonus Tracks
This Saturday Bay Area groove metal veterans SKINLAB groundbreaking debut album, ‘Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded,’ will be available for Record Store Day 2025. This expanded and colored vinyl edition includes an extra LP of the album in the demo/pre-production, in addition to new liner notes from singer/bassist Steev Esquivel and added photos.
Record Store Day began in 2008, and since many fans and retailers look forward to the annual event celebrating independent record stores and the numerous exclusive releases issued on the special day. This year RSD will be April 12th and M-Theory Audio is proud to represent again with another special vinyl reissue.
A limited edition (1500 on Tortured Soul) colored vinyl reissue of SKINLAB’s ‘Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded’ expanded to a double album including a full record of the album in demo/pre-production form plus the bonus track “Noah.” Additionally, in cooperation with the band, bassist/vocalist Steev Esquivel has provided detailed personal liner notes rekindling his memories of the era along with a batch of personal band photos.
Originally released in 1997, ‘Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded’ helped define SKINLAB’s punishing yet groove-laden sound, drawing comparisons to Machine Head, Sepultura, and Fear Factory. Produced by Andy Sneap (Judas Priest, Amon Amarth, Killswitch Engage) tracks like “When Pain Comes to Surface,” “Down” and “Paleface” showcased the band’s unrelenting heaviness, emotional intensity, and raw aggression, cementing their place in the late ‘90s metal underground. The record’s touring cycle included runs with Machine Head, Exodus, Napalm Death, Coal Chamber, Grip Inc. and more.
“We are delighted to announce the reissue of our debut album, ‘Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded,’” states Steev Esquivel. “At the time of its creation, we could not have anticipated its evolution into a cult classic metal album 25 years later. We are thrilled to share this reissue with the world!”
This special Record Store Day edition comes featuring remastered audio and revamped new packaging from original graphic designer Travis Smith (Opeth, Death, Overkill), the bonus track “Noah,” liner notes from frontman Steev and archival photos from the band’s collection on Tortured Soul colored vinyl (which looks really cool, and limited 1,500 copies worldwide). This is a must-have for longtime fans and vinyl collectors alike. With renewed interest in turn of the century metal releases and SKINLAB’s continued influence on modern heavy music, as evidenced by first single and new music video “Flesh Wounds” from a forthcoming new album, this ‘Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded’ reissue is a fitting tribute to a cult classic that still hits just as hard today.
Available exclusively at participating independent record stores on Record Store Day this Saturday, April 12, 2025 so check in with your local retailer and let them know you’re interested and on your wish list. Find stores and more information at recordstoreday.com
SKINLAB formed in the mid ‘90s from some experienced musicians from Bay Area thrash scene who performed in groups like Defiance and Sacrilege BC. Armed with a fresh perspective and new influences SKINLAB aimed to create something exciting filled with thick, chugging guitar tones performing infectious dirge-laden, aggressive tunes with brutal yet melodic vocals. Signed to Century Media Records, the band became a developing priority and released three successful albums including 1999’s ‘Disembody: The New Flesh’ and 2002’s ‘reVoltingRoom,’ each supported by relentless touring. Taking a break in the mid ’2000s SKINLAB issued a comeback in 2009 and again ten years later more seriously with 2019’s ‘Venomous’ which sees the band still touring the US and Europe alongside bands like Snot, God Forbid and Pro-Pain and continue to receive metal radio play as they work on a new album for release later this year.
FRACTAL UNIVERSE RELEASE THIRD MUSIC VIDEO “A NEW CYCLE”
From New Album, ‘The Great Filters,’ Out This Friday, April 4th
FRACTAL UNIVERSE reveal more new music from their impending album release. The Progressive Death Metal entity recognized for their boundary-pushing sound, technical mastery, and captivating live performances premiere “A New Cycle” music video today. Watch HERE
“A New Cycle talks about the idea of directed panspermia. In the story, humankind is on the verge of extinction, and the only solution to preserve life is to send probes containing primordial life forms out in space in the hope of colonizing new planetary systems and, over the course of a few billion years, start a new evolutionary cycle But this newborn civilization ends up repeating the exact mistakes that led to the downfall of the first one, and eventually has to repeat the whole process again.”
“A New Cycle,” directed by Pauline Colombani (www.c3polette.com), follows “Causality’s Grip” and “The Seed of Singularity” all coming from FRACTAL UNIVERSE’s new opus, ‘The Great Filters.’ It’s the group’s most ambitious, diverse and intricate album to date pushing the boundaries of the band’s unique saxophone-drenched take on progressive metal. FRACTAL UNIVERSE is celebrated for their ability to push the boundaries of metal, combining heavy riffs, melodic elements, and jazz influences.
‘The Great Filters,’ out this Friday, April 4, 2025, was recorded at Boundless Production Studios and Fractal Headquarters and mixed/mastered by Flavien Morel (Benighted Soul, Catalyst). It will be available on limited-edition (500) red with black splatter vinyl, Digipak CD, digital and an exclusive to band/label red and cream marble vinyl limited to 200. Order now HERE.
M-Theory Audio is pleased to announce the latest signing to the label – hard rock and heavy metal powerhouse FIRSTBORNE. Today we premiere the first single and music video for “Wake Up,” giving fans a taste of what to expect from their highly anticipated debut full-length effort.
“Wake Up” video was directed by Drew Kaufman (Two Minutes to Late Night) and is a welcome introduction to the group’s penchant for infectious hard rock with a humorous and relatable twist. Watch HERE
FIRSTBORNE features legendary drummer Chris Adler (Lamb of God, Megadeth), virtuoso guitarist Myrone (known by some as the originator of soft shred), and electrifying vocalist Girish Pradhan (Girish and the Chronicles, The End Machine). Formed in 2019, FIRSTBORNE blend high-energy riffs, soaring vocals, and thunderous rhythms to create a modern yet timeless sound rooted in classic metal, hard rock, and shred guitar.
The band first gained attention through a series of independently released singles and EPs between 2020 and 2023, showcasing their signature fusion of melody, technical precision, and relentless groove. In late 2023, FIRSTBORNE recorded their debut full-length album ‘Lucky’ with acclaimed producer Machine (Clutch, King Crimson, Crobot). That album will see a release July 18th on M-Theory Audio and pre-orders are available now for limited-edition colored vinyl, CD and Digital. Pre-Order HERE
Guitarist Myrone explains how the album came together:
“When Chris, Girish, and I got connected in 2019 I said my number one goal in life was to get us all in the same room to jam. Four years later not only did we get in the same room, we went to Machine's barn in Texas for a month to create 10 piping hot metal jams for the whole world to enjoy. I had written around 150 song ideas before stepping in the studio, and we ended up using none of them. What you hear on the record was entirely written and recorded in Texas.”
With Adler’s iconic drumming, Myrone’s signature guitar work, and Pradhan’s dynamic, powerhouse vocals, FIRSTBORNE are a force to be reckoned with in the hard rock and metal scene — delivering high-energy anthems that bridge the gap between old-school metal and modern intensity.