ABOUT

THE MALAYSIAN LEGIONS: "Shivadarshana is a big name here amongst Malaysian & Singahellion maniacs thanks to the early Impiety & Abhorer releases."

SHIVAREX is a new label and store dedicated to extreme metal! Back in the 90's we already released several influential albums under the name of SHIVADARSHANA RECORDS (shortened to Shiva Recs by many), such as 'Asateerul Awaleen' (IMPIETY), 'Zygotical Sabbatory Anabapt' (ABHORER) and 'Dawn Bringer' (ORDER FROM CHAOS), widely considered as essential cult albums of black/ death metal history.

SHIVADARSHANA, meaning 'the absolute destruction of the universe', and being one of the oldest Dutch labels in the genre, returns as the destructive hellmark of SHIVAREX and stays true to old school black/death/thrash. SHIVADARSHANA is darkness itself! The name was influenced by Aleister Crowley, The Great Beast.

The label's past releases are highly coveted by metal fans and collectors today. The label's first release was 'Upheaval of Blasphemy' (ABHORER): it was this EP that bore the notorious 'SR 001' catalogue number and was released in May 1993.

In the 90's we worked with completely unique bands such as ORDER FROM CHAOS (pre- Angelcorpse & Ares Kingdom), ABHORER, IMPIETY, MORDOR (Swi.), MORTUARY DRAPE, LIAR OF GOLGOTHA (post Funeral Winds) and NEPENTHE (pre- Ares Kingdom & Perdition Temple).

SHIVADARSHANA was distributed worldwide by Plastic Head, Bertus, Napalm Records, Spinefarm, Nuclear Blast, Intercord, Audioglobe, RED, Modern Invasion, Megarock and many others.

SHIVADARSHANA was also one of the main distributors of extreme music in the Benelux in the pre-internet era! In 1991 we started selling records by mail order worldwide. At its peak we had 500+ titles in stock and the full catalogue was published bimonthly in Aardschok Magazine and in other magazines in the Benelux. We also directly supplied stores in the Benelux, Europe, Japan, US and South America.

SHIVADARSHANA also organised tours. In 1996 for example we released LIAR OF GOLGOTHA's debut album (one song was written by Nergal of BEHEMOTH) and in order to promote the album the band did a European tour with DARK FUNERAL.

ORDER FROM CHAOS recorded their final album 'An Ending In Fire' and IMPIETY their 'Funeralight...' mini album also for SHIVADARSHANA, but SHIVADARSHANA closed down in 1997 and both remained unreleased.

'Our' bands continued releasing albums on established labels such as Metal Blade, Osmose and Mascot to name a few.

In 2000 /2002 SHIVADARSHANA offered ORDER FROM CHAOS to do some re-union shows, CD rereleases, the complete works in a LP box set, but unfortunately the time was not yet right.

Already back in 2003 we signed a multiple record deal with IMPIETY, but they chose to work with Agonia.

After ORDER FROM CHAOS broke up, the guys went on to form new awesome and successful bands: Pete Helmkamp became the frontman of ANGELCORPSE, and Chuck Keller & Mike Miller went on to form ARES KINGDOM, fronted by Alex Blume, who previously was the frontman of NEPENTHE and whose superb 'Ligeia' 7" vinyl (SR 1008) was released by SHIVADARSHANA way back in 1995. Ares Kingdom were the direct support for nine dates of the WATAIN & DESTROYER 666 Feb/March 2018 North American tour.

SHIVADARSHANA helped to put the Asian metal scene on the map with IMPIETY & ABHORER becoming widely known and hailed! Both bands attained cult status and helped the Asian scene expanding quickly. SHIVADARSHANA was the first who heard IMPIETY outside Singapore and already offered them a record deal in 1992. Because the band was not yet ready to record an EP, it happened that our maiden release was an EP by their countrymen ABHORER.

Now when Shiva is back, it's time to crush your skulls on new releases and reissues!