Gerardo Martinez Photo credit: Hannah Verbeuren — Maurizio Iacono Photo credit: Suzzy Iacono

Reigning Phoenix Music, a rapidly ascending record label specializing in hard rock and heavy metal, is excited to announce a strategic, multi-year partnership with Maurizio Iacono’s Distortion Music Group. Founded by music industry leader Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur Sven Bogner, RPM will manage the release, distribution, and marketing of DMG artists under the RPM umbrella.

Martinez brings over two decades of label experience to the partnership, highlighted by his collaborations with prominent bands like Slayer, and pivotal roles in the careers of Carcass, Dimmu Borgir, Kerry King, Kataklysm, Meshuggah, Machine Head, Deicide, Soulfly, and others.

“I met Maurizio back in 1995 while he was touring the US for the first time,” shares Martinez. “Years later I worked with him with Kataklysm, and other bands he manages such as Septicflesh and Fleshgod Apocalypse, and since have built a very strong career and relationship that has lasted over two decades. I’m very much looking forward at the prospect of this new partnership that will bring a lot of new talent and well established artists!”

Maurizio Iacono, not only the enduring frontman for death metal legends Kataklysm, but also a successful artist manager, has nurtured the careers of influential bands such as Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Wind Rose, and Unleash the Archers. With a keen eye for talent through his own record label, he first signed Wind Rose and has continued to discover and support rising artists.

“Gerardo and I have known each other for over 20 years,” adds Iacono. “From teenagers with a love for metal at concerts to working in many facets of the music industry together, we have grown in it for over two decades. Two years ago, I started Distortion Music Group, a label imprint designed to give the artist a voice and fighting chance to shine. When Gerardo approached me about partnering DMG with RPM and bring some fire power to the label, it was a no brainer for us to accept this new venture and bring it to the next level!” 

About RPM:
Currently headquartered in Los Angeles, the UK, and Hamberg, Germany, RPM’s main objective is to fully support localized market expertise by offering the best services and practices in the industry worldwide. 

About DMG:
Based in Orlando Florida, Distortion Music Group was formed in 2022 by Kataklysm frontman and Hard Impact Management (Wind Rose , Fleshgod Apocalypse, Septicflesh , Unleash the Archers, and more) owner Maurizio Iacono. DMG has released music from Scotland’s Death/Grind extremist Man Must Die, Germany’s surf grind outfit Stillbirth, American power metal sensation Seven Kingdoms, as well as back catalogue from world renowned dwarf metal titans Wind Rose.