Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is an American record label based in Los Angeles, California.
The label has primarily metal bands under contract and also operates its own mail order business. It was founded in 1981 by Brian Slagel, who actually wanted to publish just a compilation of several bands, due to its success, however, carried on. The seat of Metal Blade Records Europe is in Göppingen. Furthermore, there is still a Japanese subsidiary, Metal Blade Records Japan, headquartered in Tokyo.
History
The first LP of Metal Blade was released in 1982 and was a compilation called Metal Massacre, on the Metallica made their appearance for the first time. The success of Metal Massacre prompted the label to release another compilation with this title. To date, 13 episodes have been released. Some bands that have become known through this series, are Slayer, Voivod, Fates Warning and Metal Church. The first German band that signed with the label, was in 1997 Sacred Steel. The band released their first three albums on Metal Blade out with considerable success.
Bands (selection)
- Amon Amarth
- Anima
- As I Lay Dying
- Autumn
- The Black Dahlia Murder
- Bolt Thrower
- Born From Pain
- Behemoth
- Bitch
- Cannibal Corpse
- The Crown
- Disaster
- Falconer
- God Dethroned
- Job for a Cowboy
- Lay Down Rotten
- Neaera
- Powerwolf