“We are excited to celebrate 40 Years of METAL BLADE with 3 shows. Two in Las Vegas and one in New York! More details coming soon. Also we will open the METAL BLADE Museum to the public very soon as well!” Founder Brian Slagel

Metal Blade Records continues its 40th-anniversary celebration in 2022 with a slew of new events and a kickass exhibit. The fiercely independent label that launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, and dozens more iconic heavy metal bands, invites fans to live shows in Brooklyn, New York, and Las Vegas, Nevada, home to the Metal Blade Museum.

Technical death metal merchants RIVERS OF NIHIL headline the first Metal Blade Records 40th show on August 6th at Brooklyn’s famed St. Vitus venue, with a DJ set from REVOCATION‘s Dave Davidson.

SACRED REICH, an integral part of the thrash movement still churning out classics on Metal Blade, tops the bill on September 17th at The Space in Las Vegas. A Metal Blade Records 40th show at the Las Vegas House Of Blues on October 5th will feature a major headlining act to be announced later this summer.

At each of these events celebrating the label’s history, Metal Blade will raffle 40th-anniversary swag bags. Fans can purchase celebratory shirts and other merchandise, including the “decade” themed tees launched alongside the Metal Blade 40th Playlists, collected here: metalblade.com/40thanniversary

Las Vegas is the site of the METAL BLADE MUSEUM, a specially curated exhibit stocked with timeless memorabilia and artifacts spanning the label’s history, from 1982 through the present day. Check out Part 1 of a special video tour of the Metal Blade Museum right here:

The Metal Blade Records 40th-anniversary celebration kicked off earlier this year with a flurry of activity centered around the label and the extreme music community it represents. Earlier this month, Metal Blade Records was the main sponsor at Decibel Magazine‘s Metal and Beer Fest in Philadelphia, headlined by one of the most important death metal bands in history, Metal Blade‘s own CANNIBAL CORPSE.

A 40th-anniversary edition of the Metal Massacre compilation, featuring all of the songs from the original first and second pressings, quickly sold out 2000 copies on clear vinyl through the Metallica website. A Ruby Red-colored vinyl variant, limited to 5000 copies, is available at: metalblade.com/40thanniversary

The ’80s and ’90s-themed shirts can be found at: indiemerch.com/metalbladerecords. New shirts celebrating the following two decades will be announced later this year.

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 catalogue, 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.

Metal Massacre Volume One Limited-Edition Vinyl Out Now – Drops Teaser to METAL BLADE RECORDS Documentary – Releases 1990’s Exclusive METAL BLADE RECORDS Playlist – Worldwide Events All Year Long

“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!!” – Founder Metal Blade Records Brian Slagel

Marking its 40tth 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, 2022 at finer retail stores everywhere.

Check out the teaser for the upcoming METAL BLADE RECORDS documentary. See interviews with the original Metal Massacre artists here:

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 5000 copies total in print, available at: metalblade.com/40thanniversary 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.

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!

https://www.metalblade.com/40thanniversary

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 installments 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.

Metal Massacre Volume I Track Listing 2022 Re-Issue:

SIDE ONE:
1 – STEELER – “COLD DAY IN HELL”
2 – BITCH – “LIVE FOR THE WHIP”
3 – MALICE – “CAPTIVE OF LIGHT”
4 – RATT – “TELL THE WORLD”
5 – AVATAR – “OCTAVE”

SIDE TWO:
1 – BLACK ‘N BLUE – “CHAINS AROUND HEAVEN”
2 – CIRITH UNGOL – “DEATH OF THE SUN”
3 – DEMON FLIGHT – “DEAD OF THE NIGHT”
4 – PANDEMONIUM – “FIGHTING BACKWARDS”
5 – MALICE – “KICK YOU DOWN”
6 – METALLICA – “HIT THE LIGHTS”

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 will be available worldwide on April 22nd, 2022.

The 40th anniversary reissue track list includes all songs originally featured on the first and second pressing of the iconic compilation. This limited-edition Ruby Red vinyl variant will be available to 5000 copies worldwide at METAL BLADE RECORDS, and 2,000 copies pressed on clear vinyl exclusively available at metallica.com.

The first 250 US pre-orders at METAL BLADE RECORDS will receive an exclusive patch: metalblade.com/40thanniversary

Founded by Brian Slagel, this special re-issue 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 sponsored tour featuring CANNIBAL CORPSE, WHITECHAPEL and REVOCATION. The tour is currently hitting all four corners of the US through March 26th. All cities and dates here: cannibalcorpse.net/tour

Regional events across the US have begun, starting with Chicago’s favorite metal kitchen KUMA’S CORNER celebrating the label all year long with a unique, hand-curated menu including the Slagel-style burger, Hit The Lights Mac N Cheese, the Metal Massacre burger and the Eric Wagner / Trouble burger ($1 of every Metal Blade-related burger will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis societies of Illinois and Colorado).

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.

On June 10-11, METAL BLADE RECORDS will act as Presenting Sponsor at Decibel Magazine’s Metal & Beer Fest in Philadelphia, headlined by one of METAL BLADE‘s most controversial acts, CANNIBAL CORPSE.

Until more events are announced, head to metalblade.com/40thanniversary and stream a special 80’s-inspired playlist, personally selected by Brian Slagel, featuring some of the era’s hottest bands including ARMORED SAINT, D.R.I., FLOTSAM & JETSAM and tons more. One-of-a-kind, exclusive designs helmed by the masterful and malevolent minds of metal’s most sought-after artists will be available for a limited time – Ed Repka (Megadeth, Venom, Nuclear Assault), Elinor Kantor (Testament, Soulfly, Sodom), Travis Smith (Opeth, Overkill, Slayer), Sam Didier (HammerFall, Amon Amarth).

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 installments 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.

Metal Massacre Volume I Track Listing 2022 Re-Issue:

SIDE ONE:
1 – STEELER – “COLD DAY IN HELL”
2 – BITCH – “LIVE FOR THE WHIP”
3 – MALICE – “CAPTIVE OF LIGHT”
4 – RATT – “TELL THE WORLD”
5 – AVATAR – “OCTAVE”

SIDE TWO:
1 – BLACK ‘N BLUE – “CHAINS AROUND HEAVEN”
2 – CIRITH UNGOL – “DEATH OF THE SUN”
3 – DEMON FLIGHT – “DEAD OF THE NIGHT”
4 – PANDEMONIUM – “FIGHTING BACKWARDS”
5 – MALICE – “KICK YOU DOWN”
6 – METALLICA – “HIT THE LIGHTS”