The official YouTube channel of Nuclear Blast Records — one of the most iconic names in heavy metal — has unexpectedly gone offline, leaving over 3.3 million subscribers without access to the label’s vast library of music videos, premieres, and artist content. Fans looking for the latest from acts like MALEVOLENCE and AVERSIONS CROWN were surprised to find those uploads, along with the rest of the channel’s material, currently unavailable.
Nuclear Blast issued a brief statement addressing the outage: “Following an external incident, our YouTube channel is currently offline. We are working directly with YouTube to resolve this as soon as possible. We will keep you updated as soon as the channel is back up and running.”
While the label has not elaborated on the nature of the “external incident,” speculation is swirling among fans and creators. Some have questioned whether the takedown is the result of a hacking attempt or an administrative error, though no official cause has been confirmed.
This disruption comes on the heels of another major digital move by Nuclear Blast. Earlier this month, on June 12th, the label announced plans to exit the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). With over 213,000 followers, the label’s sudden departure marked a notable shift in its online strategy.
In their announcement, Nuclear Blast didn’t cite a specific reason for the exit from X. However, they join a growing list of artists, organizations, and brands cutting ties with the platform under Elon Musk’s leadership — a tenure that has drawn criticism for controversial content policies and rising security concerns. Notably, GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist Slash recently left X after dealing with repeated hacking attempts.
Nuclear Blast‘s withdrawal from X and the unexpected YouTube takedown arrive amid a period of increased scrutiny and shifting public perception. In recent years, the label has faced criticism for working with artists such as Marilyn Manson and AS I LAY DYING, both of whom have been embroiled in serious controversies — ranging from abuse allegations to criminal convictions.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.