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Since its formation in 1982 by Brian Slagel, independent record label Metal Blade has signed bands from all different genres of metal, including death, black, thrash, and progressive. Slagel ran the label by himself for years, and now Metal Blade has offices worldwide, including Japan and Germany. Best known as the starting point of Metallica’s career, Metal Blade has always chosen an eccentric list of talent. Their current line-up includes Cattle Decapitation, Woe Of Tyrants, Cannibal Corpse, Job For A Cowboy, and 3.
Early Days:
Metal Blade Records was formed by Brian Slagel in 1982. Slagel created a compilation album with material from Ratt, Malice, Steeler, and an unknown thrash band by the name of Metallica. This album, called Metal Massacre, would help Metallica get their first big break. A year later, Slagel would begin to release albums by Armored Saint, Warlord, and Slayer, with the latter’s debut album, Show No Mercy, becoming the label’s highest selling album, at that time.
Metal Blade History:
In the early 1980s, Metal Blade was the starting point for several major metal bands, including Metallica, Slayer, and Voivod. During the mid '80s, Flotsam and Jetsam would release their underrated classic debut, 1986’s Doomsday For The Deceiver, on Metal Blade, while Corrosion of Conformity released their influential crossover metal album Animosity on the label.


Metal Blade had a distribution deal with Warner Brothers Records in the late 1980s. However, the partnership fell through in 1992, when Warner Brothers, which was known at the time as WEA, tried to censor the lyrics to GWAR’s America Must Be Destroyed. Brian Slagel was opposed to censoring his artists, and Metal Blade signed with Sony BMG/RED for distributing.


While Metal Blade has released albums from extreme bands such as Cannibal Corpse and Immolation, the label was also where Goo Goo Dolls got their big break in the early '90s. Metal Blade has also enlisted several underground progressive metal bands in its history, including Spock’s Beard and Symphony X.
Essential Metal Blade Releases:
Various Artists- Metal Massacre
Slayer- Hell Awaits
Cannibal Corpse- Tomb Of The Mutilated
Fates Warning- No Exit
King Diamond- The Spider’s Lullabye
Voivod- War And Pain
Flotsam And Jetsam- Doomsday For The Deceiver
Symphony X- V: The New Mythology Suite
Spock’s Beard- The Light
Mercyful Fate- In The Shadows
Immolation- Close To A World Below
Lizzy Borden- Visual Lie
The Black Dahlia Murder- Nocturnal
As I Lay Dying- An Ocean Between Us
Goo Goo Dolls- A Boy Named Goo
Amon Amarth- With Oden On Our Side
GWAR- Scumdogs Of The Universe


Metal Blade Records Links
History and Releases