“So as we enter our 40th year it is pretty crazy to think about that. The first thing I thought of was reissuing the first Metal Massacre album. I thought it would be difficult to get the rights etc.. it ended up being one of the easiest things as all the bands were super cool and now hopefully you got a copy! We’re still planning some cool shows and parties for this year so stay tuned for those! It’s been pretty overwhelming with all the stuff that’s happened so far and its certainly amazing... just all the things that have happened in the last 40 years and I thank all the people we have worked with over the years! And of course all of you out there for helping make this happen!!” - Brian Slagel, Founder Metal Blade Records
Marking its 40th anniversary this year, Metal Blade Records is proud to present its debut release, Metal Massacre Volume One, for the first time since 1984 on limited-edition vinyl. Originally released on June 14, 1982, Metal Massacre showcased the best of Los Angeles’ unsigned acts of the time such as Metallica, Ratt and Malice, and has since become a cornerstone of Metal Blade Records. This special release dropped worldwide on April 22 at finer retail stores everywhere.
Check out the teaser for the upcoming Metal Blade Records documentary. See interviews with the original Metal Massacre artists below:
This 40 anniversary reissue track list includes all songs originally featured on the first and second pressing of the iconic compilation and limited-edition Ruby Red vinyl variant will be available with only 5,000 copies total in print, available here and 2,000 copies pressed on clear vinyl (sold out) exclusively at metallica.com.
Founder Brian Slagel celebrates with this special re-issue which marks the first of many Metal Blade Records activities happening across the world to celebrate the labels 40th year as a pioneer and champion of heavy music.
Multiple events throughout the US are scheduled including the Metal Blade Records Presenting Sponsor at Decibel Magazine’s Metal & Beer Fest in Philadelphia, headlined by one of Metal Blade’s most controversial and iconic Death Metal acts, Cannibal Corpse.
The Metal Blade Museum will open its doors in Las Vegas later this year where fans can see memorabilia and artifacts dating back to the label’s inception.
Until more events are announced, head to Metal Blade Records and stream special curated 80’s and 90’s-inspired playlists, personally selected by Brian Slagel. These released playlists are an aural journey into Metal Blade Records first and second decades… The newly dropped 1990’s playlist is a listeners time-capsule into the diversity of the eclectic mix of ‘90s modern rock and some of the most extreme heavy metal released in that time. This decadent decade features a prime line-up of Metal Blade Records’ arsenal of bands - some of the hard hitters on this killer playlist is death metal behemoths Broken Hope and icons Cannibal Corpse, metal soldiers Armored Saint, technical wizards Anacrusis and obscure metallurgists Artch... even commercial rock giants Goo Goo Dolls - let your ears feast on this official Metal Blade Records 1990’s Playlist!
About Metal Massacre: At the brink of the 80's, LA was cementing itself as the rock 'n' roll nucleus of the United States. A longtime fan of the local rock scene, Slagel spent many nights inside LA's locales seeking out the most authentic, heaviest, unique bands to hit the West Coast. Alongside friend John Kornarens, the two split the Metal Massacre project in half - Slagel responsible for artwork and mastering facilities, while Kornarens secured a studio to make the record. "We were using the Yellow Pages a lot, total amateurs navigating the record like a high school project," adds Kornarens. And that compilation was the foundation of Slagel's Metal Blade Records, one of the premiere heavy metal record labels of all-time.
The first pressing of Metal Massacre contained 10 tracks, with the closer "Hit The Lights" by Metallica. This was the first song drummer Lars Ulrich and guitarist James Hetfield wrote together. "When I was putting together the compilation, he called me up," Slagel recalls of his conversation with a teenage Ulrich. "He was jamming with James and a couple other guys in their garage playing covers of Diamond Head and everything. Lars asked me, 'Hey, if I put together a band and give you an original song, will you put it on the record?' And I said, 'Sure, of course.' So that was basically the beginning of Metallica."
"On the day of mastering, Brian and I had all of the songs ready except for Lars' new band called Metallica," Kornarens explains. "The session was to start at 3 o'clock and we were standing on a Hollywood sidewalk waiting for Lars to show up with material from his new band, and moments later he finally arrived and pulled a cassette out of his back pocket."
Future instalments of the Metal Massacre franchise would help boost Slayer, Overkill, Possessed and countless other artists to legendary status. Metal Blade Records, home to current acts Amon Amarth, Killswitch Engage, Allegaeon, Cannibal Corpse and Whitechapel, is still considered one of the most powerful forces of modern heavy metal.
Tracklisting:
Side One:
Steeler - "Cold Day In Hell"
Bitch - "Live For The Whip"
Malice - "Captive Of Light"
Ratt - "Tell The World"
Avatar - "Octave"
Side Two:
Black 'N Blue - "Chains Around Heaven"
Cirith Ungol - "Death Of The Sun"
Demon Flight - "Dead Of The Night"
Pandemonium - "Fighting Backwards"
Malice - "Kick You Down"
Metallica - "Hit The Lights"
Tune in! Exclusive Apple Music interview with founder Brian Slagel on April 28.
