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Metal Blade Records

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Independent heavy metal label started in Los Angeles, CA on February 1, 1982 by Brian Slagel. A German office was opened in 1995. Known for launching the careers of a number of popular metal bands including Metallica, Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, and many others. Label Code: LC 06705 / LC 6705 US Label variants: 1982 to 1983 "Tan labels and axe with blood stains" eg Slayer – Show No Mercy Exception 1: "Black labels" available only on Metal Massacre compilation. eg Metal Massacre Exception 2: "Custom tan labels" eg Bitch (2) – Damnation Alley 1984 to 1984 "Silver labels and axe with blood stains" were used only in 1984, pressings with this labels and 1982-1983 dates are actually 1984. eg Witchkiller – Day Of The Saxons Re-used in the 2016 Slayer reissues. eg Slayer - Show No Mercy Exception: "Non 1984" some releases were sold in 1987, probably an old stock distributed in new sleeves. eg Slayer – Haunting The Chapel 1985 to mid-1986 "White labels with chain, different axe and blood drops" eg Celtic Frost – Morbid Tales 1985 to 1987 "White labels with chain, different axe and blood drops" + Combat as second label. eg Hallows Eve – Tales Of Terror Exception: "White labels without chain, different axe and blood drops" + Combat as second label. eg Trouble (5) – The Skull mid-1986 to early-1987 "White labels with chain, with old axe and blood drops and underlined logo" eg Slayer – Live Undead 1987 to 1988 "Black - red labels" + Enigma (4) as second label. eg Lizzy Borden – Terror Rising 1988 to early-90s "Razor labels" eg Viking – Do Or Die