Metal Blade‘s founder, CEO and longtime CLONE, BRIAN SLAGEL, recently joined Jim Rome on his sports podcast to talk metal. In the episode that is now live, Brian talks about befriending Lars Ulrich as a teenager, getting credit for launching Metallica, his pick for greatest metal album of all time, why metal is in such a great place right now and much more.
The Jim Rome Podcast is a premier daily sports talk podcast featuring host Jim Rome‘s opinionated and fast-paced analysis of the biggest stories in sports. Known for its unique, loyal, and vocal community of fans known as “CLONES,” the show is built on strong, definitive takes, often including, but not limited to, extensive NFL coverage, celebrity interviews, and listener-driven content.
Founded in 1982 by Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records is a premier independent heavy metal record label that launched legends like Metallica, Slayer, and Cannibal Corpse. Starting in Los Angeles to promote local bands through the Metal Massacre compilation, it has grown into a global powerhouse for hard rock and extreme music, boasting a diverse roster.
Metal Blade Records is pleased to announce that its Las Vegas, NV based museum, previously only open on the weekends, will now be open EVERY DAY. Inside the museum, fans will be able to wander the halls of heavy metal history, collected throughout the life and career of Metal Blade’s founder and Chairman/CEO, Brian Slagel. You’ll see items like old promo materials, old show flyers from the Sunset Strip and beyond, plaques, props from tours and music videos, original promotional photos from bands’ album releases, original artwork from bands’ cover art, merch, gear, and so, so much more.
For a better idea of what the museum holds, check out these videos which offer a quick tour through the museum with Metal Blade’s very own, Brian Slagel.
And while out and about in Las Vegas, make sure to stop by Metal Blade Records‘ store at the Antique Mall Of America. Full of Metal Blade collectibles and out-of-print items that can’t be found anywhere else, fans can visit the location to get their fix of rare vinyl, t-shirts, CDs and more. (Antique Mall of America 9151 S Las Vegas Blvd # 344 Las Vegas, NV 89123 – directions HERE)
About Metal Blade Records: Founded upon owner Brian Slagel‘s enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalog, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it celebrates its fourth decade.
Metal Blade Records launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and dozens more genre giants, shaping four decades and counting of hard rock, metal, and extreme music culture. Brian Slagel worked as a record store clerk when he founded Metal Blade in 1982, reserving a spot for a young Lars Ulrich on his Metal Massacre compilation series. Metal Blade grew from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to become an international powerhouse, selling millions of albums while remaining fiercely independent. In 2017, Slayer‘s Kerry King inducted the label into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. Slagel‘s For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records arrived the same year.
In 2022 Metal Blade Records celebrated its 40th Anniversary by way of two live shows in Las Vegas – one featuring Killswitch Engage and another featuring Sacred Reich. In addition to these two packed live shows/parties, the label reissued its first release, the compilation album Metal Massacre, plus specially branded 40th Anniversary small batch vodka and rum, and a West Coast style IPA beer. Brian Slagel also saw the release of his second book, Swing of the Blade: More Stories from Metal Blade Records that was released on May 9th and was met with rave reviews from fans and press alike. One fan on Good Reads called the book “a sentimental journey through Brian’s metal origin-story recollections from his deep and wide perspective as founder of Metal Blade that I enjoyed very much” while MetalTalk.net wrote that “Swing Of The Blade is an endearing, honest, and enjoyable journey into the deeper world of Brian Slagel, the main man behind the legendary Metal Blade Records…this is very much Brian in his own words, recounting tales from the early days of Metal Blade through to a brief post-pandemic epilogue, where he expresses his regret that the book hasn’t coincided with the 40th anniversary of the label.” To round out the celebration, Brian Slagel opened up the label’s collection of heavy metal memorabilia to fans in Las Vegas, NV, marking the opening of the official Metal Blade Records Museum that is open every Saturday.
The celebrating rolled over into 2023 and in October AXS TV picked up and premiered the Denise Korycki documentary of Metal Massacre: The Story Behind the Legendary Album. Packed with all-star interviews, rare photos, the film tells the story of the groundbreaking 1982 Metal Massacre vinyl compilation-a sonic celebration of the burgeoning Los Angeles Metal scene, which helped launch the careers of iconic acts Metallica and Ratt, and ultimately led to the birth of the legendary independent record label Metal Blade Records. The film boasts priceless commentary and anecdotes from Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel and his friend and collaborator John Kornarens, two metalheads with a dream who made Metal Massacre a reality; as well as Metallica members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield; Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy; and Black N’ Blue singer Jamie St. James, among many others.
Brian Slagel is once more opening up the doors to the Metal Blade Records Museum, located in Las Vegas, NV.
The museum will be opening up to ticket holders on Saturday, August 19 and open up every Saturday thereafter.
Lizzy Borden will be present on Saturday, August 19 to take a stroll through the museum himself!
Hours of operation are 12pm to 5pm PT and tickets are available HERE.
*ticket holders will be informed of the museum address after purchase
About Metal Blade Records: Founded upon owner Brian Slagel‘s enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalog, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it celebrates its fourth decade.
Metal Blade Records launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth,Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and dozens more genre giants, shaping four decades and counting of hard rock, metal, and extreme music culture. Brian Slagel worked as a record store clerk when he founded Metal Blade in 1982, reserving a spot for a young Lars Ulrich on his Metal Massacre compilation series. Metal Blade grew from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to become an international powerhouse, selling millions of albums while remaining fiercely independent. In 2017, Slayer‘s Kerry King inducted the label into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. Slagel’s For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records arrived the same year.
Neil Turbin reporting for Canada’s The Metal Voice in Los Angeles at Book Soup (July13 2023) filmed the fan Q and A/ book signing of Metal Blade RecordsBrian Slagel who launched his new book ‘Swing of the Blade’.
Also at the Q and A was Armored Saint’s John Bush, Betsy Bitch and host Don Jamieson.
Swing of the Blade follows Brian Slagel’s critically acclaimed 2017 book, For the Sake of Heaviness, which delivered a compelling inside look at how a metal-obsessed California teen built Metal Blade Records into the preeminent international home of heavy music. Rabid readers demanded more anecdotes, more bands, and more of Slagel’s musical wisdom. With Swing of the Blade, he delivers. Featuring a foreword by Slayer’s Kerry King, the new book is part memoir, part music-business primer, and all metal – delving deep into scenes and bands that fans worldwide obsess about. Slagel serves up more of his favorite memories about iconic musicians and events, and delves into even greater detail about his long and ongoing relationships with Metallica, Armored Saint, King Diamond and other heavyweights. Swing of the Blade is told in Slagel’s humble but authoritative voice. His view for the last 40 years–from the studio, side-stage and boardroom–offers an unprecedented look into the music, business, and passion that has made both Slagel and Metal Blade champions of discovering and nurturing the best heavy music on the planet. (Bmg Books)
Swing of the Blade: More Stories from Metal Blade Records follows Brian Slagel’s critically acclaimed 2017 book, For the Sake of Heaviness, which delivered a compelling inside look at how a metal-obsessed California teen built Metal Blade Records into the preeminent international home of heavy music.
Rabid readers demanded more anecdotes, more bands, and more of Slagel’s musical wisdom.
With Swing of the Blade, he delivers.
Featuring a foreword by Slayer‘s Kerry King, the new book is part-memoir, part-music-business primer, and all metal – delving deep into scenes and bands that fans worldwide obsess about.
Slagel serves up more of his favorite memories about iconic musicians and events, and delves into even greater detail about his long and ongoing relationships with Metallica, Armored Saint, King Diamond, and other heavyweights. Swing of the Blade is told in Slagel’s humble but authoritative voice.
His view for the last 40 years – from the studio, in the crowd and boardroom – offers an unprecedented look into the music, business, and passion that has made both Slagel and Metal Blade champions of discovering and nurturing the best heavy music on the planet.
The exclusive bundle will include a bookplate signed by Brian Slagel, bookmark, patch, and a 40th anniversary medal, while supplies last!
Watch the promo video below.
About Metal Blade Records: Founded upon owner Brian Slagel‘s enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalog, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it celebrates its fourth decade.
Metal Blade Records launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and dozens more genre giants, shaping four decades and counting of hard rock, metal, and extreme music culture. Brian Slagel worked as a record store clerk when he founded Metal Blade in 1982, reserving a spot for a young Lars Ulrich on his Metal Massacre compilation series. Metal Blade grew from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to become an international powerhouse, selling millions of albums while remaining fiercely independent. In 2017, Slayer‘s Kerry King inducted the label into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. Slagel‘s For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records arrived the same year.
For the Sake of Heaviness (book only) here For the Sake of Heaviness (35th Anniversary box set) here
Swing of the Blade: More Stories from Metal Blade Records follows Brian Slagel‘s critically acclaimed 2017 book, For the Sake of Heaviness, which delivered a compelling inside look at how a metal-obsessed California teen built Metal Blade Records into the preeminent international home of heavy music. Rabid readers demanded more anecdotes, more bands, and more of Slagel’s musical wisdom. With Swing of the Blade, he delivers. Featuring a foreword by Slayer‘s Kerry King, the new book is part memoir, part music-business primer, and all metal – delving deep into scenes and bands that fans worldwide obsess about. Slagel serves up more of his favorite memories about iconic musicians and events, and delves into even greater detail about his long and ongoing relationships with Metallica, Armored Saint, King Diamond and other heavyweights. Swing of the Blade is told in Slagel’s humble but authoritative voice. His view for the last 40 years-from the studio, side-stage and boardroom-offers an unprecedented look into the music, business, and passion that has made both Slagel and Metal Blade champions of discovering and nurturing the best heavy music on the planet.
Amazon’s pre-orders for Swing of the Blade: More Stories from Metal Blade Records are now live HERE!
In the coming weeks, Metal Blade Records will be launching their own exclusive pre-order bundle that will include a bookmark, patch, 40th anniversary medal, and signed bookplate, while supplies last!
About Metal Blade Records: Founded upon owner Brian Slagel‘s enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalog, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it celebrates its fourth decade.
Metal Blade Records launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and dozens more genre giants, shaping four decades and counting of hard rock, metal, and extreme music culture. Brian Slagel worked as a record store clerk when he founded Metal Blade in 1982, reserving a spot for a young Lars Ulrich on his Metal Massacre compilation series. Metal Blade grew from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to become an international powerhouse, selling millions of albums while remaining fiercely independent. In 2017, Slayer‘s Kerry King inducted the label into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. Slagel‘s For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records arrived the same year.
For the Sake of Heaviness (book only) here For the Sake of Heaviness (35th Anniversary box set) here
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