Earache Records has accumulated a few awards, already holding two Guinness World Records, one for the world's shortest single and another for the world's shortest music video. Adding to the accolades, label founder Digby Pearson is set to receive the AIM Independent Music Pioneer Award. If you've followed extreme metal in the past 30 years, you're no doubt in debt to this man; throughout the late 80s and early 90s, Pearson spearheaded the expansion of the then-nascent grindcore and death metal scene, championing the likes of Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, Carcass, Godflesh and Clutch, among others.

Julie Weir of the label Visible Noise speaks to Pearson and Earache's influence: "As a kid I grew up listening to Godflesh and a load of the Earache bands - they were in fact the first label that I discovered that was more extreme and challenging to the mainstream music world. When I first started working in the industry as an inexperienced kid, they were also my first port of call for advice - they were honest, open and very helpful. Digby started the label in his bedroom for the love of it and has managed to translate it into an international business with a US office too. Making a niche genre into a worldwide success is no mean feat.”

The fifth recipient of the Pioneer Award, Pearson joins previous winners Martin Mills (The Beggars Group), Geoff Travis (Rough Trade), Daniel Miller (Mute) and Laurence Bell (Domino). Says Pearson, "It's an honour to be awarded AIM's Pioneer award, cheers to all the voting panel. Great news for all up-and-coming Independent Rock & Metal labels out there. If you're dedicated & tenacious enough, it's pleasing to know that hard work can pay off in terms of respect from industry peers. Lastly big up to the long suffering Earache staffers, especially Dan Tobin and Al Dawson, without whom nothing much would have been achieved.” The AIM Independent Music Awards 2015 return to The Brewery in Clerkenwell on September 8th. Tickets are on sale now. Find them here.