Thirty years is a long time in rock’n’roll. Thirty years running an independent label, weathering every industry shake-up from the CD boom to streaming dominance, and still topping the American Billboard chart in 2025 is the mark of Frontiers.
Founded in 1996 by Serafino Perugino in Napoli, Italy, the label kicked off its 30th anniversary celebrations with a special event in Naples this February, where artists, partners, friends and team members gathered to honour three decades of the label’s vision, dedication and belief in music. The celebrations continue with Frontiers Rock Festival 2026 in early May, and will be commemorated near the end of that month with the release of the XXX Anniversary Compilation. Alongside it all, Megadeth‘s chart-topping album for the label has cemented the milestone with arguably the biggest commercial moment in Frontiers’ history.
From indie distributor to global force
Originally distributors of indie rock labels across their homeland, Frontiers became renowned as purveyors of AOR, melodic and classic rock. The company has expanded globally with diverse major acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Megadeth, Skunk Anansie, Def Leppard, Journey, Yes, Mr Big, Whitesnake and ELO releasing records through the label, even as it continues to sign and develop new acts with several imprints to its name.
Hardly imaginable when founded, Frontiers has now reached #1 on the American Billboard chart with Megadeth, attaining the same top slot in ten other countries and the top five in 11 additional territories. As part of this milestone moment, Megadeth recently gathered in Nashville for Thrash The Charts, Megadeth’s #1 Celebration, an event honouring the album’s chart-topping success.
Jeff Stevenson, General Manager at Frontiers Label Group/BLKIIBLK Records, commented on the achievement: “We, at Frontiers Label Group/BLKIIBLK Records, couldn’t be prouder to have partnered with the band and CTK Management to help achieve this amazing accomplishment, marking a milestone in the legendary career of one of metal’s most important bands.”
Megadeth founder and guitarist Dave Mustaine could not be at the Naples event but sent a video thanking those behind the record label for the album’s global success, which you can view below.
A kid from Naples with a Billboard #1
As part of his anniversary speech in February, Frontiers’ President and CEO Serafino Perugino reflected on the label’s successes.
“These 30 years have been a roller coaster, challenges, setbacks, new starts. But one thing never changed: the desire to give artists a home, a chance, a new artistic life,” he said.
“Nearly 2,000 releases later, and with a milestone that once felt impossible for a kid from Naples, a #1 on Billboard with Megadeth, one truth is clear: you don’t get anywhere alone.
“Thank you to my team, our partners, the artists, the fans, and to The Orchard for believing in the vision and pushing it beyond expectations. People have often called me ‘lucid crazy.’ I’m proud of it. I demand a lot and I can be tough, but it’s because I want people to grow and shine. And one thing is non-negotiable: respect, truth, loyalty.”
You can watch Perugino’s full speech below.
The XXX Anniversary Compilation: a bridge between eras
It was the company’s founder who initiated the idea for the XXX Anniversary Compilation, a special release celebrating the label’s legacy by revisiting iconic tracks from its catalogue, reimagined with new performances featuring the voices of today’s standout rock artists.
“Producing the 30th anniversary record for Frontiers Records has been both a honour and a responsibility,” said Aldo Lonobile, Head of A&R Europe at Frontiers Label Group and producer of the record.
“This label has built a legacy on passion and vision and, with this album, we wanted to celebrate that history in a meaningful way, having a mix of established and new generation of Frontiers artists reinterpret the iconic tracks that shaped our identity is more than a tribute, it’s a bridge between eras. With a track list discussed together with the Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, this record is a celebration of where we come from, and a powerful statement of where we’re headed.”
Lonobile also plays guitar on the album, alongside Alessandro Mammola, with Andrea Arcangeli and Cristian Timpanaro on bass, Fortunato Grillo on drums, and Alessio Lucatti, Antonio Agate and Alfonso Mocerino on keyboards.
The tracklist features ‘Separate Ways‘ (James Robledo), ‘Watch The Fire‘ (Cassidy Paris), ‘Weight Of The World‘ (Karmen Klinc), ‘Viva La Victoria‘ (Dyan Mair), ‘Hypocrisy‘ (Stina Girs), ‘Edge Of Tomorrow‘ (Ronnie Romero), ‘Love Will Set You Free‘ (Santiago Ramonda), ‘Songs That Night Sings‘ (Tezzi Persson), ‘My Guardian Angel‘ (Fabio Caldeira), ‘When The Heartache Has Gone‘ (Mattias Olofsson), ‘No More Hell To Pay‘ (Giorgia Colleluori), ‘Down From The Mountain‘ (Nicklas Sonne) and ‘Little Drops Of Heaven‘ (Robin McAuley).
Little Drops Of Heaven: Robin McAuley takes on Pretty Maids
The first of several single and video releases already issued from the compilation is ‘Little Drops Of Heaven‘, which sees MSG and Black Swan vocalist Robin McAuley tackle a Pretty Maids classic.
“Revisiting one of my favourite songs from Pretty Maids for Frontiers’ 30th anniversary felt incredibly special,” commented Lonobile. “This song carries a certain emotional weight and melodic strength that made it stand out from the very beginning. It’s a tribute to the legacy of the label, but also a reminder of how timeless great songs can be.”
McAuley added: “I’ve always liked Pretty Maids and especially the band’s songwriting. Ronnie Atkins has a unique style and when Aldo at Frontiers approached me to record this cover, I couldn’t wait to get into the studio and apply myself to the song. The lyrics and melody are so catchy it stays with you. I tried to keep the integrity of the song but also add some of my own style, so hopefully they like my version.”
Viva La Victoria: Dyan Mair flies the flag
Originally released by Eclipse in 2019, ‘Viva La Victoria‘ has been reimagined by the house band and Greek vocalist Dyan Mair, who began fronting German rock band Bonfire in 2022, their latest album being 2025’s Higher Ground.
Mair commented: “Fight for your dreams. Never let anyone not even your own doubts make you give up. One day, you’ll be proud to say out loud: ‘Viva La Victoria’! just like Frontiers has for 30 years. Here’s to another 30!”
Down From The Mountain: Nicklas Sonne honours Allen/Lande
Originally recorded by Allen/Lande, the new arrangement of ‘Down From The Mountain‘ features Nicklas Sonne (Defecto, Aries Descendant) on vocals.
“Allen & Lande have both always been a huge inspiration,” reflected Sonne. “Recording ‘Down From the Mountain’ was a real honour, and I tried to bring my own voice to a song I’ve admired for years.”
Love Will Set You Free: Santiago Ramonda takes on Whitesnake
The Whitesnake hit ‘Love Will Set You Free‘ gets the Frontiers treatment with Santiago Ramonda singing this one for the XXX Anniversary Compilation.
Ramonda commented: “For me, it’s a true honour to be part of Frontiers Music’s 30th anniversary celebration. Participating in this event with a song by one of my all-time favourite bands fills me with pride and joy. I must admit that recording my own version of ‘Love Will Set You Free’ was both a challenge and a pleasure, as I tried to approach it with deep respect for the original while adding my own voice and emotion.”
“I’m very grateful to Frontiers for including me in this special release. Thank you for actively contributing to the creation of the music we all love so much,” he added. “Congratulations to Serafino and the whole Frontiers team for this great vision and, above all, for the immense passion they have poured into it over these past 30 years.”
Songs The Night Sings: Tezzi Persson reimagines The Dark Element
Hell In The Club and Venus 5 singer Tezzi Persson sings on ‘Songs The Night Sings‘, another track originally released back in 2019, this time by Finnish symphonic metal band The Dark Element.
“It’s an honour to be a part of this anniversary album and to get to do a version of this great song from The Dark Element. Happy anniversary Frontiers, cheers to many more years to come,” said Persson, adding to the anniversary celebratory comments.
No More Hell To Pay: Giorgia Colleluori channels Stryper
Another female-fronted new rendition comes courtesy of IT’s ALIE vocalist Giorgia Colleluori.
“It is a true honour to be included in the 30th anniversary celebration of Frontiers Records. Being part of such an important milestone for a label that has contributed so much to the rock and melodic music scene is incredibly meaningful to me,” she said. “Even more special is the opportunity to perform a song by the legendary Stryper, a band that has inspired generations of musicians and fans around the world.”
‘No More Hell To Pay‘ is the Stryper number she sings, and she said of it: “The song itself is absolutely amazing, the chorus moved me from the very first listen, and I instantly fell in love with its energy and melody. Singing a track by the great Michael Sweet was also incredibly fun and inspiring, and I truly enjoyed every moment of it. I am deeply grateful to be part of this celebration!”
My Guardian Angel: Fabio Caldeira follows Michael Kiske
Going back further still is ‘My Guardian Angel‘, originally recorded by Place Vendome in 2009. Something of a supergroup, it featured Helloween and Unisonic vocalist Michael Kiske, Magnum bass player Dennis Ward (who also produced), Kosta Zafiriou on drums, Pink Cream 69 guitarist Reitenauer and keyboard player Gunther Werno from Vanden Plas.
On the new version, it’s Maestrick‘s Fabio Caldeira at the microphone, and he commented: “Participating in Frontiers’ 30th anniversary is already something truly special, but being chosen to perform a song originally sung by Michael Kiske, one of my greatest vocal heroes, makes it an even greater honour. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.”
Out 22 May
XXX Anniversary Compilation is set for release on 22nd May and will only be available on CD, at the label’s webstore here.
