Criterion Studios was founded in the summer of 2002 by Mark Williams, then freelance assistant engineer, and studio technician Barney Herbert. After meeting whilst working at the former Battery Studios, they decided to team up and create their own studio to provide professional quality recordings and mixes for unsigned bands at a budget rate. Mark had been recording bands at his father’s house in Watford at just 21-years-old, with limited equipment and for little or no money. Yet despite this, built a reputation that resulted in a queue of bands waiting to work with him. Barney had been working at Battery since 1994 – first as an assistant and later as a studio technician and manager. Since Battery’s closure as a fully commercial studio a year or so before, he had become disillusioned with the apparent lack of musical variety that resulted. And so, from these circumstances ‘Criterion Studios’ was born.

An old factory, located behind some shops on Holloway Road in Archway, was converted into the original Criterion Studios. This was in some ways to replicate Studio 3 at Battery, certainly in terms of the live room dimensions and creative space. In July 2002 doors opened for business. The first band ‘Candy Caine’ were to return 4 times and many others also came back. In all more than 60 bands worked with Mark at Archway. It was a great studio and no doubt would still be operating if the opportunity to upgrade in moving to Battery had not arisen. Barney, who had continued to work at Battery with successive owners since its sale by Zomba Records, persuaded the current owner, Park Investments, to lease out the studios individually (5 in total).
With first choice, Criterion Studios then promptly leased the flagship Studio 3.

Mark Williams is currently managed by 140dB management who have described him as “the best future producer they’ve seen in years”. He is now regularly working with signed bands and record companies. Nonetheless unsigned bands were the reason Mark and Barney started Criterion and will always remain welcome. Special rates are available.