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Metal Blade Records

"Metal Blade" redirects here. For the Mega Man weapon, see Mega Man 2 and Mega Man II (Game Boy).

Metal Blade Records is an American independent record label founded by Brian Slagel in 1982 based in the U.S. state of California. The label currently[when?] is distributed in the US by The Orchard, and internationally by Sony Music Entertainment. It was distributed by Warner Bros. Records in the United States from 1988 to 1993.

Metal Blade Records
Founded1982; 42 years ago (1982)
FounderBrian Slagel
StatusIndependent
Distributor(s)The Orchard (United States)
Sony Music (International)
GenreHeavy metal, extreme metal
Country of originUnited States
Location5632 Van Nuys Blvd #1301, Van Nuys, California U.S.
Official websitemetalblade.com

History

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Metal Blade Records was founded by Brian Slagel, who at the time was a record store employee in suburban Los Angeles, as a way to increase the recognition of local metal bands. The label's first release was a compilation album called The New Heavy Metal Revue presents Metal Massacre, and included Metallica, Ratt, and Black 'n Blue.[1]

In 2010 Metal Blade Records joined the RIAA.

IronClad Recordings is an imprint.[citation needed]

On January 18, 2017 Metal Blade Records was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History for their large contribution to the Heavy Metal library. Brian was inducted by special guest Kerry King of Slayer.[2] On August 29, 2017, BMG Rights Management published The Sake of Heaviness: the History of Metal Blade Records, a book on the label's history, co-written by Mark Eglington and the label's founder Brian Slagel.[3]

In 2019 Metal Blade Records opened a store in Las Vegas, Nevada that sold rare and out-of-print items from them and their artists.[4]

Notable artists

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Current and former artists per Metal Blade Records' website, as of November 2024.[5]

Current

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Former

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References

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  1. ^ "Features". metalupdate.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  2. ^ "Scorpions Among Nominees for Hall of Heavy Metal History". Rolling Stone. December 22, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  3. ^ "BMG Will Release a Book on Metal Blade Records on Their Iconic History Later This Summer". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "Metal Blade Records opens store in Las Vegas, NV – rare and out-of-print items now for sale!". Metal Blade Records. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  5. ^ "Artists | Metal Blade Records". Metal Blade Records. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
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