The story of Metal Blade Records is the story of Brian Slagel-a
metal-obsessed Southern California kid who launched a fanzine and
landed a record store job before cobbling together what he assumed
would be a one-off compilation of fledgling bands from the L.A.
scene. Released in 1982, the Metal Massacre LP included the debut
recordings of local groups such as Steeler, Malice, Ratt, and
Metallica. In the wake of the album's unexpected success Slagel
virtually stumbled into creating a proper record label, issuing the
first releases by Bitch, Armored Saint, and Slayer the following
year. For The Sake Of Heaviness is an inside look at how Brian
built Metal Blade from a one-man operation in his mom's
non-air-conditioned garage to the preeminent international home of
heavy music that it is today. He shares his insights into signing
and working with Amon Amarth, Anvil, As I Lay Dying, Behemoth, The
Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse, Cirith Ungol, Corrosion of
Conformity, D.R.I., Fates Warning, Flotsam and Jetsam, Gwar, King
Diamond, King's X, Lizzy Borden, Manowar, Mercyful Fate, Overkill,
Raven, Sacred Reich, Six Feet Under, Trouble, Unearth, Voivod,
Whitechapel, and others. Always hard at work on a diverse range of
projects, Brian reveals the early advice he gave that helped guide
Mötley Crüe's career; how he helped Metallica replace their
bassist-twice; his detailed work on Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper
reissues; his behind-the-scenes role in the careers of Mother Love
Bone, Alice in Chains, Faith No More, Goo Goo Dolls, and Lamb of
God; and his unlikely ventures with kindred metal heads-from hockey
star Ken Baumgartner, to celebrity chef Chris Santos, to The Howard
Stern Show's Richard Christy, to comedians Jim Florentine, Don
Jamieson and Jim Breuer. Throughout For The Sake Of Heaviness,
Brian steps aside to present first-person insights and extended
guest interviews featuring friends, colleagues, Metal Blade
staffers, and a long list of artists, including Metallica's James
Hetfield, Slayer's Kerry King, King Diamond, and many more. Brian
highlights the ins and outs of his 35 year metal odyssey, from
promoting small shows in California's San Fernando Valley in the
early days, to forging a major partnership with Warner Bros.
Records; from weathering the Parents Music Resource Center's
attempts to regulate lyrical content, to squaring off with Time
Warner over Gwar's envelope-pushing themes; from nearly going
bankrupt after underestimating the impact of the rise of CDs, to
surviving and thriving in today's rapidly changing music business
environment. Featuring a Foreword by Metallica's Lars Ulrich, For
The Sake Of Heaviness pulls back the curtain to reveal the
definitive look at how Metal Blade began, what they've
accomplished, and where they're going. With the help of co-writer
Mark Eglinton, Brian Slagel invites the reader into a personal
conversation about his life's passion, and the passion that drives
Metal Blade-finding, exposing, and promoting the best heavy music
on the planet.
General
Imprint: |
BMG Books
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
August 2017 |
Authors: |
Slagel Brian Eglinton Mark
|
Dimensions: |
154 x 228 x 19mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
192 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-947026-00-1 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
1-947026-00-3 |
Barcode: |
9781947026001 |
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