Nuclear Blast Records Is Quitting Social Media Platform X

Nuclear Blast Records will leave X within 48 hours, joining a growing list of artists and companies abandoning the platform.

Nuclear Blast Records, one of the longest-running and most influential heavy music labels in the world, have announced they’re officially leaving X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The label shared the news on X yesterday, confirming that they will shut down their account within 48 hours. With over 231,000 followers amassed across more than a decade of activity, the exit marks the end of an era for the label on that particular platform.

No specific reason was provided for the departure, but the move places Nuclear Blast among a growing list of companies, artists and public figures who’ve distanced themselves from X in recent months. Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform, it has faced waves of criticism and an ongoing user exodus. Concerns have ranged from the rise in hateful content and weakened moderation, to the platform’s ties to political interests and lapses in account security.

Earlier this year, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash left X after repeated hacks to his account. Numerous independent labels and journalists also left in protest over what they saw as a shift in culture on the app under Musk’s ownership.

Nuclear Blast’s statement didn’t reference any of these factors directly. Instead, it focused on where fans can still connect with the label: Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify. Comments on the post varied, with most seemingly pushing back against the move.

In recent years, the label has drawn its own criticism for controversial signings. That includes bringing As I Lay Dying into the fold after frontman Tim Lambesis was convicted in 2014 of attempting to have his then-wife murdered by a hitman, and the addition of Marilyn Manson to their roster amidst multiple abuse allegations.

Still, the move away from X marks a notable shift in Nuclear Blast’s digital footprint and serves as another sign of the platform’s diminishing hold over the music industry’s online presence.