Combat Records

New York City · New York · US

Combat Records is an influential American independent label founded in New York City in 1982, built specifically around heavy metal and punk rock. During the 1980s it became a cornerstone of the thrash and extreme-metal scene, releasing or breaking acts like Megadeth, Exodus, Nuclear Assault, Possessed, Dark Angel and Agnostic Front while importing European metal to U.S. audiences. After dormant stretches and a 2017 revival by David Ellefson and Thom Hazaert under EMP Label Group, the brand was sold and relaunched in 2026 under new ownership operating out of Gottingen, Germany. As of mid-2026 the combatrecs.com domain is parked/for sale, so there is no live official site.