Tomas Nyqvist, the driving force behind Putrefaction Magazine and No Fashion Records, played a pivotal role in shaping the Swedish death metal scene. His story, marked by both triumph and tragedy, offers a glimpse into the volatile underground music industry of the early 1990s. Driven by a passion for extreme metal, Nyqvist started Putrefaction Magazine in his teens, fueled by inspiration from Morbid Mag and Slayer Mag. He leveraged his involvement in the tape trading community to distribute the zine, gaining an international readership. The magazine’s success was cemented with an interview and cover featuring Pelle “Dead” Ohlin of MAYHEM, solidifying its place in the burgeoning death metal scene.
Nyqvist’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish No Fashion Records. His first signing, the Dutch black metal band BESTIAL SUMMONING, proved a challenging start. Despite the initial commercial failure of their debut album, “The Dark War Has Begun,” Nyqvist persevered.
No Fashion Records subsequently released seminal albums by MARDUK and DISSECTION, marking a turning point for the label. MARDUK’s “Dark Endless” and DISSECTION’s “The Somberlain” quickly gained traction, propelling both bands and the label to greater recognition within the underground metal community. The success, however, was short-lived. A fateful deal with House of Kicks distribution led to Nyqvist losing control of his label and facing financial ruin. The bands signed to No Fashion Records also suffered, receiving little to no payment for their work.
The demise of No Fashion Records is a cautionary tale of naive ambition and predatory business practices. Despite the label’s ultimate failure, its legacy remains significant. No Fashion Records played a crucial role in launching the careers of some of the most influential bands in extreme metal. The label’s catalog, though marred by controversy, continues to be sought after by collectors and fans. The re-emergence of these albums under the Black Lodge imprint, albeit unauthorized and poorly handled, further underscores the lasting impact of No Fashion Records. Nyqvist’s story serves as a reminder of the precarious nature of the music industry, particularly for independent labels and artists navigating a complex and often exploitative landscape.
Despite the setback with No Fashion Records, Nyqvist eventually returned to his roots, reviving Putrefaction Magazine and continuing to contribute to the underground metal scene.
The story of No Fashion Records serves as a potent reminder of the challenges faced by independent labels and artists in the often cutthroat music industry. It highlights the importance of business acumen and legal protection in navigating the complexities of contracts and distribution agreements.
The legacy of No Fashion Records, though intertwined with controversy and financial hardship, ultimately contributed to the broader recognition and evolution of the death metal genre.
The unauthorized rerelease of Katatonia’s debut album by Black Lodge further complicated the legal and ethical issues surrounding the No Fashion Records catalog.
The various album covers and promotional materials associated with No Fashion Records offer visual documentation of a pivotal era in the history of death metal.
