According to Billboard.biz, Roadrunner Records founder/CEO Cees Wessels is leaving the label 17 months after the completion of its sale to the Warner Music Group. Furthermore, approximately 36 staffers worldwide were let go.

In the US, Roadrunner will continue to operate as a standalone frontline label, although 16 staffers in the States are losing their jobs. Internationally, Roadrunner's staff will continue to carry out some label functions, such as marketing, promo and publicity. Other responsibilities, principally support functions, will be carried out by Warner Music teams, which means that 20 staffers will lose their jobs. Roadrunner will continue to have personnel in every territory it does currently, with the exception of the Netherlands office, which is being shuttered. Wessels founded the label in the Netherlands in 1980.

However, there is still no official statement from the label on this matter.

Trivium frontman Matt Heafy stated via twitter: "I wish I knew who or what to blame specifically, but Roadrunner Records just fired some of their best employees. I don't know if it's corporate greed or it's due to the fact that no one puts value in physical art and that piracy created a domino effect, but our friends who are being tossed away so quickly by the label are now out of jobs. These people helped bands get where they are today. Of course I'll be emotional when it has to do with people I love and care and respect for helping me. The main point is that people need to remember, Internet aside - we are dealing with human beings. I feel for my friends."

Slipknot's The Clown commented via the band's official Facebook: "Today is a sad day. It has been brought to my attention that many Roadrunner offices around the world have been closed permanently. This means to us, Slipknot, in my opinion that a lot of our very close friends and comrades will no longer be around to help the art and business known as the Slipknot family. You are in my thoughts and prayers now forever. I will always consider you close friends and I will make every attempt to stay in touch with as many of you as possible."

Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe had this to say: "The Roadrunner people who handle us outside of the US have all been cool as fuck. Today was terrible news with all the closings. The people who work at that label have always been supportive of LOG, even before we inked a deal with them. I hope they all find work soon!"

Source:

billboard.biz