Metallica Buys Majority Stake In NoVA Vinyl Record Manufactuer To Meet Growing Demand

SPRINGFIELD, VA — Metallica, the legendary hard rock band, has acquired a majority interest in Furnace Record Pressing, a leading provider of vinyl records based near Springfield.

The acquisition, announced Tuesday, formalizes a long-standing relationship between Metallica, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band from the Bay Area of California, and Furnace, which has produced more than 5 million pieces of Metallica vinyl since 2014.

Founded by Eric Astor in 1996, Furnace operates a 70,000-square-foot vinyl pressing plant at 6315 Bren Mar Drive near Springfield. This latest partnership with Metallica represents the band’s “unflagging commitment to artistic control of all aspects of its career, as well as devotion to its fans,” Furnace and Metallica said Tuesday in a joint statement.

"The capacity to meet the massive demand for Metallica vinyl via trusted partner and industry leader Furnace will enable the band and its Blackened Recordings label to better serve the needs of any and all vinyl lovers in the Metallica family — as well as those of the various artists and record labels who will continue to utilize Furnace’s services,” they said.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Furnace has been great to Metallica and more importantly to our fans,” Metallica co-founder James Hetfield said in a statement. “This deepened relationship between Metallica and Furnace ensures that fans of vinyl everywhere, particularly our Fifth Members, will have continued access to high quality records in the future.”

Metallica views its fans as the fifth member of the band.

The vinyl record market has regained strength over the last 15 years. For the first time since 1987, more vinyl records were sold than CDs in 2022, according to a new report by the Recording Industry Association of America.

By establishing its ownership in one of the few vinyl pressing plants, Metallica gets more control over production ahead of the April release of the band’s next album, “72 Seasons,” Washington Business Journal reported Tuesday.

Furnace offers standard and heavyweight pressings, color vinyl, special effect color vinyl, and custom vinyl etching to meet the needs of any music artist. Furnace also oversees other services related to the creation and packaging of records. In addition to Metallica, Furnace’s clients include many major artists, global music companies, record labels and indie and punk acts.

Metallica was represented in the deal by Black Squirrel Partners, its affiliated growth equity and content investing platform. Kirkland & Ellis acted as counsel to Metallica, while Citrin Cooperman assisted with tax advisory. Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig served as counsel to Furnace.