This year, Metal Blade Records is celebrating their 30th anniversary. We spoke to owner Brian Slagel earlier this month about the formation and rise of the label, but that’s only part of the story. With such a large and diverse roster spanning so many years, we decided to ask some current Metal Blade artists what their favorite Metal Blade album was. We’re not going to tell you which album the consensus chose, but if you look carefully, you might be able to find it to the right.
Richard Christy, Charred Walls of the Damned/The Howard Stern Show
With so many favorite Metal Blade albums to choose from, to pick just one was difficult, but the album I’ve listened to approximately 7,492 times since it came out is the masterpiece With Oden On Our Side by Amon Amarth. This is one of those rare albums where every song is perfect and every single time I listen to the album I listen to it all the way through without fast forwarding any songs. The riffs, the drumming, the vocals, the melodies, the lyrics, the production, everything about this album is PERFECT!!!! This is the album I listen to when I pillage and drink mead! Definitely my favorite Metal Blade album and in my Top 3 favorite albums of all time!
Andrew Packer, Gypsyhawk
D.R.I., Four of A Kind.
My brother bought it for me when i was 11 or 12 and it transformed my musical tastes toward punk and metal from whatever MTV crap I was only able of exposing myself to at the time. I think it’s one of the best thrash albums of all time and sounds like the blueprint for most of the big thrash revival bands.
Mem Von Stein, Exumer
Slayer Hell Awaits
My favorite Slayer album of all time!!!
John Matos, Abiotic
That’s a really tough question, but if I had to choose one, I’d say my favorite Metal Blade release would have to be Fleshwrought’s Dementia/Dyslexia. Such an underrated album, in my opinion. It’s so brutal and shreds so hard! Has a nice variety of groove, tech, and even some fusion style guitar work. The mix is definitely one of my favorites and I love listening Jonny Davy of JFAC absolutely destroy on every track. Would love to hear a follow up from those guys, though that record would be pretty hard to top!
Ray Jimenez, Abiotic
In my most humble opinion, probably one of the greatest albums ever released is The Black Dahlia’s Nocturnal. I feel like that album was a defining moment for the band. It featured a Black Dahlia that we had not seen before. The vocals were more brutal, the riffs were catchier, and the addition of Shannon’s extreme drumming was definitely a phenomenal touch.
Alan Nemtheanga, Primordial
Slayer Hell Awaits
Erik Rutan, Hate Eternal, Mana Recording Studios
Slayer Hell Awaits
Dave Brockie aka Oderus Urungus, GWAR
My favorite metal Blade album? That’s fucking impossible! I might be able to say which are my most-listened to ones, which would be Slayer Hell Awaits, Thin Lizzy, Live Life (or is it Life Live?) and The Mentors You Axed For It!
Ezra Haynes, Allegaeon
I’d have to say my favorite Metal Blade release is The Red Chord’s Clients, that record still gets me pumped. It has that death/grind feel but with a unique sound that has structure. “Blue Line Cretin” has to be my favorite track. Would love to rage that song one day with Guy on stage, that would be out of this world.
