THE BEAST

Metal Massacre Volume One Limited-Edition Vinyl Coming April 22nd, 2022
Worldwide Events All Year Long

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"

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