Sworn Enemy’s Lorenzo Antonucci Launches Metal, Hardcore & Rock Label Crowdkill Records

Guitarist Lorenzo Antonucci from metal band Sworn Enemy has launched Crowdkill Records, a label dedicated to finding and cultivating new talent in metal, hardcore and rock. The label’s first artist signee is Nathan James, a genre-blending artist known to embrace both rock and hip-hop. James’ riff-heavy single “Alienation” is his debut release on the label.

“In recent years, the music industry in which we operate has become increasingly competitive and volatile; a battle for space on the charts and news in the headlines,” a press release announcing the launch of Crowdkill reads. “Nobody knows how to navigate this complicated landscape better than Lorenzo Antonucci.”

Antonucci, who has also served as executive vp of business development and A&R rep for Sumerian Records, has partnered on the label with Gravel Road, a Nashville-based record label and management firm launched in 2024 by Anthony Martini and Rich Barner that has made a partial financial investment in Crowdkill.

“Their business model that showcases an artist-forward strategy will undoubtedly work to bridge the gap of trust that has slowly been decaying between label and musician,” according to the press release. As both a musician and record label boss, it continued, Antonucci is “doubly invested in creating a label-environment in which artists can be sure that the execs behind their paperwork have a strong understanding of what is most important for all parties involved.” The release added that his goal with Crowdkill is to “build a more transparent, supportive, and family-like atmosphere” for artists on the label.

Of the label’s origin, Antonucci added, “We’ve always believed in creating a partnership with artists — not just a deal. CrowdKill isn’t about the typical corporate structure that treats artists as commodities; we’re building something that feels more like a family.”