REST IN PEACE RECORDS – Chicago’s Underground Metal Stronghold Since 1994

Founded on June 6, 1994, REST IN PEACE RECORDS (a.k.a. R.I.P. Records) stands as one of the long-running pillars of the American underground metal scene. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the label has spent over three decades championing uncompromising sounds across Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal, and Black Metal.

Operating under the motto “Melting Gimps since 1994”, R.I.P. Records has built a cult reputation for releasing both obscure underground gems and essential cult classics, often in limited formats including CDs, cassettes, and vinyl editions.

Label Profile

Name: Rest In Peace Records
Founded: June 6, 1994
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Update: The label is now based in Layton, Utah.
Address: R.I.P. Records, 1224 E. Antelope Dr, Layton, UT 84040, USA
Status: Active
Genres: Heavy / Thrash / Doom / Black

Contact:
Email: riprecords[@]hotmail.com
Phone: +1 773 205 7935

Underground Legacy

From its earliest days, REST IN PEACE RECORDS focused on promoting bands deeply rooted in the underground ethos. Early releases like Lordes Werre – “The Dark Ascention” (1994 demo) and Holy Death – “Apocalyptic War” (1996 compilation) helped establish the label’s identity.

Throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the label expanded its catalog with a strong roster of cult acts, including:

Usurper – “Diabolosis…” (1996, vinyl)
October 31 – “The Fire Awaits You” (1997)
Skullview – “Legends of Valor” (1998)
Morningstar – “Weight of the Hammer” (2000)

As the years progressed, R.I.P. Records became closely associated with dedicated heavy metal traditionalists and extreme underground acts alike, releasing material from bands such as:

Metalucifer – multiple cult releases including “Heavy Metal Chainsaw” (2001) and “Heavy Metal Bulldozer” (2009)
Sabbat – “Karmagmassacre” (2003), “Envenom” (2004), “Sabbaticult” (2024)
Metal Inquisitor – “Doomsday for the Heretic” (2005)
Stone Magnum – multiple releases between 2012–2016
Acerus – “The Tertiary Rite” (2020)

The label’s catalog reflects a dedication to authenticity over trends, consistently supporting artists who embody the raw spirit of true metal.

Still active today, REST IN PEACE RECORDS continues to release new material, including recent titles like:

Sabbat – “Sabbaticult” (2024) (CD & vinyl editions)

Maintaining its underground credibility, the label remains a go-to source for collectors and die-hard metal fans seeking rare and uncompromising releases.

Releases:
Lordes Werre – “The Dark Ascention” (Cassette 1994)
Holy Death – “Apocalyptic War” (Cassette 1996)
Lordes Werre – “Canticles of Armageddon” (CD 1996)
Usurper – “Diabolosis…” (12″ vinyl 1996, Limited edition)
October 31 – “The Fire Awaits You” (CD 1997 D&L 03)
Skullview – “Legends of Valor” (CD 1998)
Skullview – “Legends of Valor” (CD 1998 D&L 04, Reissue)
October 31 – “Meet Thy Maker” (CD 1999 D&L 09)
Skullview – “Kings of the Universe” (CD 1999 D&L 07)
October 31 – “Visions of the End” (CD 1999 D&L 08)
Lordes Werre – “Demon Crusades” (CD 1999 D&L 06)
Morningstar – “Hell” (CD 1999)
Morningstar – “Weight of the Hammer” (CD 2000 D&L 10)
Skullview – “Consequences of Failure” (CD 2001 D&L 11)
Metalucifer – “Heavy Metal Chainsaw” (CD 2001 D&L 12)
Morningstar – “Kalevala Mysticism” (CD 2002 D&L 13)
Witchburner – “German Thrashing War” (12″ vinyl 2002 WB171002, Limited edition)
Witchburner – “German Thrashing War” (CD 2002 D&L 14)
Metalucifer – “Heavy Metal Hunter” (CD 2003 D&L 15, Limited edition)
Sabbat – “Karmagmassacre” (CD 2003 D&L 16)
Sabbat – “Envenom” (CD 2004 D&L 018)
Sabbat – “…and the Sabbatical Queen” (CD 2004 D&L 017)
Metal Inquisitor – “Doomsday for the Heretic” (CD 2005 D&L 019)
Metalucifer – “Heavy Metal Drill” (CD 2006 D&L 020, Enhanced)
Metal Inquisitor – “The Apparition” (CD 2008 D&L 021)
Metalucifer – “Heavy Metal Bulldozer” (CD 2009 D&L 022)
Scythe – “Beware the Scythe” (12″ vinyl 2011 D&L 025)
Sabbat – “Sabbatrinity” (CD 2011 D&L 023, Red/White cover art)
Stone Magnum – “Stone Magnum” (12″ vinyl 2012 D&L 24)
Stone Magnum – “From Time… to Eternity” (CD 2013 D&L 026)
Scythe – “Subterranean Steel” (CD 2013 D&L 027)
Blind Witch – “Burn Witch Burn” (CD 2014 D&L 028)
Stone Magnum – “Stone Magnum” (CD 2015 D&L 029)
Stone Magnum – “Holy Blessings to None” (CD 2016 D&L 030)
Tormento – “Imponiendo la Fe” (CD 2019 D&L 031)
Metalucifer – “Heavy Metal Tank” (CD 2019 D&L 032)
Metalucifer – “Heavy Metal Tank” (12″ vinyl 2019 D&L 032)
Acerus – “The Tertiary Rite” (CD 2020 D&L 033, Limited edition)
Acerus – “The Tertiary Rite” (12″ vinyl 2020 D&L 033, Limited edition)
Sabbat – “Sabbaticult” (12″ vinyl 2024 D&L 034, 2 colours)
Sabbat – “Sabbaticult” (CD 2024 D&L 034)

REST IN PEACE RECORDS stands as a testament to the enduring power of the underground — a label that has survived decades without compromising its vision, continuing to deliver true metal forged in tradition, darkness, and dedication.

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Distributed by Metal-Centre