What Black Hole Recordings does

Black Hole Recordings is an independent electronic dance music record label headquartered in Breda, The Netherlands, founded in 1997 by Arny Bink and Tijs Verwest. The company specializes in trance and progressive house, and operates a multi-sublabel platform comprising ten imprints — Black Hole, In Trance We Trust, Magik Muzik, Ace Of Clubs, Avanti, AVA Recordings, Gameroom, Kryteria, GO Music, A Tribute To Life, and Outburst Records — each targeted at a subgenre within the trance/progressive electronic spectrum. Its core product is recorded music released through these imprints, supported by three flagship compilation franchises (In Search Of Sunrise, now at volume 21; Pure Trance, at volume XI; and Roger Shah's Magic Island – Music For Balearic People, at volume 13) plus recurring artist albums (e.g., Giuseppe Ottaviani's 'Horizons', Ciaran McAuley's 'Permission to Exhale', Ferry Corsten's 'Blueprint Reprinted').

The business model combines digital streaming royalties, physical media (CD and vinyl, including limited collector editions), download revenue via Beatport and other DSPs, and live-event ticketing through Weeztix (notably the In Trance We Trust showcase at Amsterdam Dance Event and the annual In Search Of Sunset rooftop event). Catalog distribution is global across Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Beatport, Deezer, Tidal, and SoundCloud; the company markets through a Mailcampaigns newsletter, curated Spotify playlists (Vocal Trance Top 100, Trance Anthems, Trance Classics, etc.), an official YouTube channel, and social media. The customer base consists of two primary segments: trance and progressive electronic music artists seeking label representation and distribution, and a global fan base of trance enthusiasts consuming music, compilations, and live events.

Black Hole Recordings operates as a privately-held company with 11–50 employees, no disclosed external funding or institutional investors, and ownership concentrated with the two co-founders. There is no mobile application, no API product, no AI/ML tooling, and no proprietary recommendation or production platform; the technology stack is limited to standard web analytics (Google Analytics) and email automation (Mailcampaigns). The company competes on catalog depth, brand heritage (25+ years), artist relationships, and community/event presence rather than on technology differentiation.

Name

Black Hole Recordings

Legal name

Black Hole Recordings

Website

https://blackholerecordings.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Black Hole Recordings is a privately-held Dutch independent electronic dance music label founded in 1997, specializing in trance and progressive house through ten sublabel imprints, three flagship compilation franchises, and recurring global showcase events for artists and fans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Record Label

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225), Record Production and Distribution (512250)

akta.pro primary industry

Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Independent record label
• Trance music
• Electronic dance music
• Music distribution
• Compilation albums

Headquarters

HQ city

Breda

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Music Recording & Release: Releases electronic music through record label operations, generating revenue from streaming, digital downloads, and physical media (CDs, vinyl).
2. Compilation Mix Albums: Produces and releases mix compilation series including Pure Trance, In Search Of Sunrise, Magic Island - Music For Balearic People, and others.
3. Event ticketing: Organizes and sells tickets for label events such as In Trance We Trust at ADE and In Search Of Sunset.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Black Hole Recordings is a Dutch independent electronic dance music record label founded in 1997, releasing trance and progressive house music through a portfolio of nine sublabel imprints (In Trance We Trust, Magik Muzik, GO Music, Outburst Records, A Tribute To Life, and others). The label generates revenue from music recordings released on digital streaming platforms, physical CD/vinyl sales, curated mixcompilation series, and live label events.

Product overview

Black Hole Recordings is a Breda-based independent electronic dance record label founded in 1997 by Arny Bink and Tijs Verwest, operating as a multi-sub-label platform. The main Black Hole Recordings imprint specializes in trance and progressive electronic music, supported by multiple sub-labels including In Trance We Trust, Magik Muzik, Ace Of Clubs, Avanti, AVA Recordings, Gameroom, Kryteria, GO Music, Outburst Records, and A Tribute To Life. The label distributes music across streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Beatport, Deezer, Tidal, SoundCloud) and operates flagship compilation series including the 'In Search Of Sunrise' series (20+ volumes), the 'Pure Trance' series (co-curated by Solarstone, now at volume XI), and Roger Shah's 'Magic Island – Music For Balearic People' series (at volume 13). The label also releases individual artist singles, DJ mixes, artist albums (such as Giuseppe Ottaviani's 'Horizons' and Ciaran McAuley's 'Permission to Exhale'), and maintains curated playlists across multiple electronic music genres. A newsletter subscription service (via Mailcampaigns) keeps subscribers updated on weekly releases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• In Trance We Trust: Sub-label imprint of Black Hole Recordings for trance music releases.
• Magik Muzik
• Ace Of Clubs
• AVA Recordings
• Gameroom
• Kryteria
• GO Music
• Avanti
• A Tribute To Life
• Outburst Records

Products and services

• Black Hole Recordings Music Catalog The main Black Hole Recordings imprint and its overall music catalog of trance and progressive electronic tracks, artist albums, singles, and DJ mixes released on digital streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Beatport, Deezer, Tidal, SoundCloud) and in physical CD and vinyl formats. The catalog targets global trance and electronic dance music listeners.
• In Search Of Sunrise Compilation Series A flagship mixcompilation series curated primarily by Markus Schulz, reaching its 21st installment, available on digital and physical formats. The series features progressive trance and electronic dance music.
• Pure Trance Compilation Series A flagship mixcompilation series curated by Solarstone, now in its 11th installment (Pure Trance XI, co-mixed with Orkidea). Released in triple CD, triple vinyl, and digital formats, it features exclusive tracks, classic bring-backs, and new Solarstone and Orkidea material.
• Magic Island - Music For Balearic People Compilation Series Roger Shah's hallmark mixcompilation series on Black Hole Recordings, now at its 13th volume. Features a prog/trance/house blend of melodic-tropics, harmonic sonics, and seaside atmosphere, available in double-disc format.
• Friends of A State of Trance Mix Series A guest mix series on Black Hole Recordings honoring labels and artists who shaped Armin van Buuren's A State of Trance radio show, celebrating 25 years of ASOT.
• In Trance We Trust x ADE Label Event Annual partnership event held during Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), featuring Black Hole Recordings label artists in exclusive performances celebrating trance music. Tickets sold through the Weeztix platform.
• In Search Of Sunset Label Event An annual signature rooftop event showcasing Black Hole Recordings label artists, held in June. Tickets sold through the Weeztix platform.
• Black Hole Recordings Curated Playlists Curated music playlists including Black Hole New Releases, Vocal Trance Top 100, Dance Pop Playlist, Trance Anthems, Progressive House & Beyond, Trance Classics, Coffee Barista Playlist, Tech House Bangers, and Vocal Trance Hits, available for streaming on the website and Spotify.

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• In Trance We Trust x ADE 2026coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2026Annual partnership event celebrating trance music during Amsterdam Dance Event, featuring label artists and exclusive performances.
• In Search Of Sunset 2026coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2026Legendary rooftop event showcasing label artists, held annually as a signature label experience.
• Friends of A State of TranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial guest mix honoring labels and artists who shaped Armin van Buuren's A State of Trance show, celebrating 25 years of the radio show.
• Roger Shah (Sunlounger alias)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing artist partnership with Roger Shah and his Sunlounger project contributing to the Magic Island compilation series, now in its 13th volume. Roger Shah's son Noah Shah has taken on expanded A&R role for recent editions.
• Solarstone & OrkideacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-mixing partnership for Pure Trance XI compilation, combining Solarstone's Pure Trance series with Orkidea's co-mixing, recorded live at London's Fabric club.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Armada Music: Amsterdam-based independent electronic music label founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron, and Benno de Goeij. Directly comparable as one of the largest Dutch trance/electronic indie labels with multi-sublabel structure, A&R focus on trance and progressive, and flagship compilation series (A State of Trance, Intense).
• Anjunabeats: London-based independent electronic music label founded by Above & Beyond, specializing in trance, progressive, and melodic electronic music. Direct peer with similar multi-sublabel model (Anjunabeats, Anjunadeep), flagship compilation series, and long-tenured artist roster in the global trance/progressive space.
• Enhanced Music: UK-based independent electronic music label group with sublabels including Enhanced Progressive, Enhanced Recordings, and Statement! Direct peer focused on trance and progressive house with comparable artist roster strategy and global streaming distribution.
• FSOE (Future Sound of Egypt): Independent trance label founded by Aly & Fila. Direct peer specializing in uplifting trance with compilation series (FSOE, FSOE Clandestine) that parallel Black Hole's Pure Trance and In Search Of Sunrise franchises.
• Coldharbour Recordings: Independent trance label founded by Markus Schulz, focused on dark, driving trance and progressive. Direct peer with closely overlapping artist relationships (Markus Schulz also releases on Black Hole) and similar catalog scope.
• Revealed Recordings: Independent Dutch electronic music label founded by Hardwell, focused on big room, progressive house, and electro. Comparable independent electronic label with similar sublabel structure and global streaming distribution model.
• Pure Trance Recordings: Independent trance label founded by Solarstone. Direct peer closely intertwined with Black Hole (Solarstone co-mixes Pure Trance XI for Black Hole) and operates in the same trance niche with overlapping distribution channels.
• Garuda Music: Independent trance/progressive label founded by Gareth Emery. Direct peer in the global trance market with artist-driven branding, compilation releases, and competing for the same pool of trance artists and listener demand.

Broad incumbents

• Spinnin' Records: Dutch electronic music label now owned by Warner Music Group, historically the largest independent dance music label globally. Broader incumbent across EDM (house, electro, big room, trance) with significantly larger A&R capacity, marketing budget, and global distribution leverage than Black Hole.

Others

• In Trance We Trust (internal sublabel): Sub-label imprint of Black Hole Recordings. Included as an internal ecosystem reference rather than an external competitor; useful for understanding the multi-imprint architecture that anchors Black Hole's A&R model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BlackHoleRecordings
• Xx.com/BlackHoleRec
• Facebookfacebook.com/blackholerecordings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-hole-recordings-b.v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Hole Recordings