Earlier this month, metal geeks across the land invaded book stores to pick up copies of The Merciless Book of Metal Lists. A love letter to the sound, vision and spirit of heavy metal, the 208-page book features countdowns featuring everything from essential albums and songs to lighthearted lists even the most hardened purist would laugh out loud to...
Hip hop has Russell Simmons and his Def Jam Records legacy. When it comes to rhythm and blues, Ahmet Ertegun and his work at Atlantic Records helped bring artists like Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin to the mainstream in the '50s and '60s...
Brian Slagel is beloved in heavy metal circles for his work with Metal Blade, the record label he founded in 1982. Throughout its history, the label has released influential albums by everyone from Slayer and Fates Warning to Cannibal Corpse and As I Lay Dying...
Ever wonder what a label president looks for when signing bands? Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel admitted there is no specific formula for cherry-picking bands and that it's a case-by-case basis when he decides to slap his label logo on a release...