“With David Lefeber as producer and engineer, the Metier sound is first-rate, with superb presence and atmosphere” —Gramophone

Founded in 1992, the Metier label quickly gained a reputation for outstanding modern repertoire and production quality. It is now one of the major labels in Europe specialising in contemporary music, mainly from the UK, but also encompassing the work of composers from around the world, such as Roberto Gerhard, Charles Ives, Walter Zimmermann, Georg Rochberg and others.

The label presents a wide variety of musical styles and ideas – in fact it covers the whole range of contemporary composition, and includes a large number of important world premiere recordings, for composers whose work was neglected by the multi-national companies. Metier is concerned not with promotional “hype”, celebrity and false promises delivered by so much modern advertising, but concentrates purely on artistic quality. This uncompromising approach is what makes Metier unique and an essential label for all serious collectors.

Metier also presents music from the past in its “Re-appraisal” series – Bach and Beethoven – but rather than simply duplicating existing repertoire, it presents musicians whose high standards of performance and musical scholarship and insight result in new and fascinating interpretations. 

“Everything is newly invented, and crackling with intellectual energy” —The Sunday Times.

The label has collected many “CD of the Year” and “Critics’ Choice” awards.

“If it were not for fiercely dedicated independents such as Metier, music lovers would be far less served” —MusicWeb

“An enterprising English label – keep your eyes on Metier” —Fanfare (USA)

Metier joined the Divine Art Recordings Group on 1 April 2007. All titles in the original series were reduced to mid-price, and now Metier is Divine Art’s specialist label for new music. The Metier Jazz label aims to present the best in contemporary jazz.

After joining First Inversion, Métier continues its legacy as the leading label for today’s contemporary composers and music of the 20th and 21st Centuries. In 2025, Métier’s release of Ian Pace’s epic 4-CD album of Michael Finnissy’s Piano Works was selected as a Best of 2025 by The New York Times.