Enigma Records (3)

For the label, please use Enigma (4). For unofficial releases use Enigma Records (10). Californian indie record company started in 1981, headed by Wesley Hein and William Hein. Pressed and distributed for most of its existance by Capitol-EMI Music, Inc. (with its first significant releases appearing on the EMI America label). It also had its own Capitol sublabel (Enigma/Capitol Records) from 1986 to 1991 while still releasing material independently. Merged with Restless Records in 1991. The balance of its catalog is now owned by Rykodisc (via its purchase of Restless, which is now operated as a full-blown subsidiary) while the Poison, Smithereens and early Red Hot Chili Peppers catalogs remain with Capitol. Enigma Records also served as a distributor/marketer for many Metal Blade Records releases. Such releases usually carried both logos.