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There are many labels that stand as the mark of quality in extreme metal. We’ve covered many of these at Decibel, as they can be relied on as “you know it’s going to be good.” But there are also some that are appealing for an additional reason, in that you’re never totally sure what the label is going to throw at you. Sentient Ruin Laboratories, based out of Oakland, California, is one of those outlets.
While some labels more or less specialize in death metal or black metal or vintage-themed doom metal, Sentient Ruin seems to traffic in all species of extremity and obscurity. Although some of the bands on the roster have achieved a dedicated following in very specialized circles (Hell being a good example), the label’s mastermind, M., isn’t here to recruit a set of prominent designated hitters. On the contrary, he remains committed to giving lesser-known or totally unknown bands a voice.
And that’s why we had to learn more.
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Thank you for talking with us! For those who might not know, can you tell us about how Sentient Ruin Laboratories got started?
I’ve been a musician most of my life and, aside from playing in bands and dealing with labels myself, over the years I’ve also been a music blogger and record collector. Record collecting and writing about music always tickled my imagination about how it would be to have a label of my own and describe my own releases, as well as how I would run the label, what the releases would sound and look like, and what the vibe and aesthetic would be like. I was inspired by labels like Cold Meat Industry, Aurora Borealis, HydraHead, Osmose, Youth Attack, Profane Existence, Cold Spring, Earache etc, and had this playful idea in my head for years. Around 2012, I started releasing cassettes for the bands of close friends, and it snowballed from there. For me, having a label is comparable to being in a band. You can get very creative with it and it’s a great means of expression and divulgation.
What would you say is the core vision of the label? Your roster spans all types of extremity, but would you say there’s a common thread that brings it all together?
I typically try to work for bands and artists that are underappreciated or underrated, often unsigned, or at their first release with a label. As a decades-long music blogger and collector, the discovery of bands I’d never heard of within the folds of the underground was always an exciting moment, so I try to bring that excitement to others now through the label, while trying to make it right for people who deserve it. The vision and mission is discovery of great talent hidden under the surface of the various genres I love, to make it right for them and for those who are passionate about discovery, mainly in extreme metal, punk, and industrial, but also with adjacent areas of interest of mine like darkwave, goth and post-punk, noise, dark ambient, and experimental music of various forms. I also make an effort to release artists from countries from the southern and eastern hemisphere, from developing countries, or who are just under-represented globally.
One release I remember really enjoying was that album from Vulvanic in 2023. How did you come into contact with them?
Their demo passed under my nose during one of my many music scouring sessions, it may have been from a Youtube channel I am subscribed to. I thought their two demos were awesome so I contacted them via email to see if they wanted to reissue them as a vinyl comp. The release turned out great, and I agree, they are an exceptional band from a country that doesn’t get the recognition it should.
Running a record label, especially in a niche area like metal, can’t be an easy feat. What would you say have been your primary challenges?
The fact that nothing I do is really for profit. If that was the goal, I’d be releasing boilerplate commercial-value stuff, which I have no interest in. So the hours of work for little to no financial return and working a non-music-related full time job to take care of my family isn’t always easy, but this is what my commitment and sacrifice is for the greater meaning it holds to me.
Looking forward, what are some upcoming releases you’d like Decibel readers to look out for?
Gawthrop, the best sludge/doom band from far east Asia since Corrupted, far and wide. And the new Uranium album, which will surely create a point of no return for underground extreme music. As well as a new EP from Diabolic Oath, which continues the growth of their musicianship and mastership. There are a lot more but for various obvious reasons they must remain under wraps 
It’s easy to get jaded and burned out when music becomes part of your everyday working life. Finally, what keeps you excited about this music?
The label just gives me this very unique and meaningful sense of self expression and purpose, knowing that I am helping musicians and making people happy, being it the bands or all the people who love to discover new music and who are passionate about and dedicated to our beloved underground. I do all of this for them, hoping to inspire, motivate, and bring happiness to their lives through the magic and joy of music, just as other labels did for me in my youth. Just trying to give back and put all the inspiration I received over the years back to work so it’s not wasted or hoarded, but so it all goes back into the world.
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