Life Sentence Records is an independent American record label founded in 1994 by Dan Gump. Based in Irvine, California it was originally created to self‑release the debut 7" for his band Xessive Force. The label quickly expanded into a key outlet for West Coast metalcore, releasing music from a range of emerging heavy bands throughout the mid‑to‑late 1990's.
After its early growth in California, the label relocated several times — first to Aurora, Illinois, then to Salt Lake City, Utah, where it operated from 1996 until its first closure in 1999. During this period, Life Sentence Records also partnered with a European distributor, Life Sentence Europe, based in Helsingør, Denmark.
LSR was revived in 2001 after a two‑year hiatus, issuing new releases from bands such as With Dead Hands Rising, Wings of Scarlet, The Automata, Proclamation and Above This Fire. Life Sentence Records has released music from bands in Belgium, Japan, Canada and the United States. The label ultimately returned to Salt Lake City, where it remained active until its closure in 2005.
Fast forward to 2026 and LSR is back and looking for new bands to collaborate with. We're looking for dedicated, talented bands that are easy to work with and are interested in being part of our team. If that sounds like your band (bonus points if you're a straightedge band) send us some information to the email below or use the form at the bottom of this page to get in touch.
xlifesentencerecordsx@gmail.com
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