As the largest Metal label in the world, Nuclear Blast and it’s subsidiaries (SharpTone and Arising Empires) has a conveyor belt of exceptional talent at their disposal. Joe Naan joined their PR team earlier in the year and has been a regular in our inbox ever since, representing their incredible roster.
You’ve worked with a host of great bands this year, but which have been your favourite and most memorable campaigns (and why)?
I’ve had the pleasure of working with a number of bands that I’ve loved for years over the past 8 months, including Bleeding Through, Graveyard, Madball and a number of others but the highlight for me has, without a doubt, been the chance to work with Terror for the release of their newest album Total Retaliation. They’re a band that have meant a lot to me for a good few years at this point and being in a position to help them promote their new record was great. The main reason this campaign has stood out for me is that it led to my first ever cover feature as the band graced the front page of Down For Life magazine, which is an achievement I’m extremely proud of and I couldn’t have wished for a better band to achieve it with.
What have you got coming up in the first half of next year that we should all be getting excited about?
Already well into the swing of things for 2019 and there are some really exciting releases on the horizon. Soilwork are gearing up to release their most melodic and expansive sounding record yet.
Japan’s Crystal Lake will be making their SharpTone Records debut, and the wonderful Holding Absence will be releasing their stunning debut record onto the world after years of fervent anticipation.
What have been your favourite albums this year?
This year has had an almost overwhelming number of brilliant releases but a few that have really stuck with me are (in no particular order)…
Denzel Curry – TA13OO (Loma Vista)
Christine and the Queens – Chris (Because)
Idles – Joy As An Act Of Resistance (Partisan)
Conjurer – Mire (Holy Roar)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgYK2DsL_4o
Ghost – Prequelle (Loma Vista)
portrayal of guilt – Let Pain Be Your Guide (Gilead Media)
Vein – errorzone (Closed Casket)
Troye Sivan – Bloom (Capitol)
Pig Destroyer – Head Cage (Relapse)
Emma Ruth Rundle – On Dark Horses (Sargent House)
Leeched – You Took The Sun When You Left (Prosthetic)
Bloodbath – The Arrow Of Satan Is Drawn (Peaceville)
Turnstile – Time & Space (Roadrunner)
Rejjie Snow – Dear Annie (300)
What are you hoping for under the tree this year, and any New Years resolutions you’re happy to share?
I’m not much of a resolution guy, but the plan is just to keep working on more great releases and continuing to go to as many shows and festivals as possible.
I already have my mind set on heading back to Roadburn in April and I’m trying to get myself over to Jera On Air, as well as a number of UK festivals too.
Basically, keeping busy!