Under the agreement, Dustin Hardman will function as US label representative, cooperatively promote/ market all releases, be the main point of contact for the label's bands and handle the label’s daily business. Priority releases are already scheduled for Masterplan, Ministry, U.D.O., Solution .45, Brainstorm, Onslaught and Jon Oliva.

A label spokesman of AFM says:

"We are happy that we have found an experienced partner for the US who knows the market for two decades and out of his personal taste likes most of the bands in our roster as well. We are really looking forward to working with him and expanding the label's presence and reputation in North America."

Dustin Hardman comments:

"It’s an honor to be part of a great team. Our collaboration will strengthen the label and our artists. The remaining schedule for 2012 and 2013 will be an exciting year for AFM Records!"

About AFM Records
Based in Hamburg, Germany, AFM Records was founded in 1996 and celebrated its 15th anniversary last year. The company has grown impressively over the years and established worldwide new acts such as Avantasia, Edguy, Masterplan, Voodoo Circle, Circle II Circle, Elvenking, Eisbrecher and Kissin' Dynamite.

In Europe, AFM Records is the privileged partner of choice for many well-known US artists such as Korn, Fear Factory, Ministry, Danzig, Ill Nino, Alter Bridge, Vore and All Hail The Yeti.

The label is distributed exclusively in the U.S. by Entertainment One/ Dismanic, on-line through INgrooves/ Fontana, and in Canada by Fontana North Distribution.