Koch inks deal with Rising Force Records and Yngwie Malmsteen

KOCH Entertainment Distribution announced today that it has signed an exclusive physical and digital distribution deal with Rising Force Records and its flagship artist neo-classical metal guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen. 


Rising Force Records was launched in 2008 with the primary function to release and market new and back catalogue material from the world renowned guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen as well as signing new talent.

The first title slated for release is "Perpetual Flame," a brand new recording from Malmsteen featuring ex-Judas Priest/Iced Earth singer Tim 'Ripper' Owens to be released via KOCH on October 14th. Additional titles and release dates will be announced by the label at a later date.

"I am truly excited that Rising Force records will be distributed via KOCH, and with our brand new release "Perpetual Flame" as well as future releases of back catalogue materials, this is a very important and exciting relationship," comments Yngwie Malmsteen.

"We're thrilled to have the opportunity to shred with Yngwie on the launch of Rising Force Records," added Michael Rosenberg, President of KOCH Entertainment Distribution.

2008 is turning out to be one of the busiest years of Yngwie's career. In addition to the release of his forthcoming new album, he will be inducted into Hollywood's Rock Walk on October 13th, a new Fender/Yngwie Malmsteen custom shop guitar will be unveiled later in the year (with a limited run of 100 instruments) and there will be a slew of CD reissues of Yngwie classics.

All the while, the accolades continue to pour in: 'Roadie Crew Magazine' organized a poll in which 330 respected rock guitarists were asked to vote for their favorite guitarist of all-time. Yngwie checked in at a lofty number 3 – behind fellow legends Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.



About KOCH Entertainment
KOCH Entertainment, founded in 1987, is the leading and fastest-growing independent music company in the U.S. KOCH's operations encompass record and video labels as well as distribution companies in the U.S. and Canada. KOCH Entertainment is the market leader among independent labels and distributors in both the U.S. and Canada and its record label KOCH Records had the largest number of Billboard charting albums among independents for six years in a row (2001 – 2007). KOCH Entertainment is owned by Entertainment One Ltd. which is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market (ticker symbol "ETO").