Metal Blade Records

United States • Los AngelesFounded 1982

Metal Blade Records is an American independent heavy metal label founded in 1982 by Brian Slagel in Los Angeles. It is one of the oldest and most respected metal labels, having launched the careers of Metallica (early), Slayer (early), Cannibal Corpse, and Amon Amarth. Metal Blade is distributed by The Orchard (Sony) and continues to sign death metal, power metal, and thrash acts.

Contact & HQ

Headquarters

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Ownership & Distribution

Label Type

Independent Label

Parent Company

Independently owned

Distribution

The Orchard (Sony)

Additional Details

Genres

Heavy MetalDeath MetalPower MetalThrash MetalBlack Metal

Signing Process

Metal Blade runs its own A&R under founder Brian Slagel. Unsolicited demos are not accepted. The label signs metal acts through A&R scouting and referrals, with a focus on death metal, power metal, and thrash. Metal Blade has a 40-year history of signing artists who define metal subgenres.

Demo Policy

No unsolicited demos. Submit through representation or build a strong touring and streaming profile first.

Notable Artists

Cannibal Corpse
Amon Amarth
Metallica (early)
Slayer (early)
Behemoth
Whitechapel

Metal Blade Records is an American independent heavy metal label founded in 1982 by Brian Slagel in Los Angeles. It is one of the oldest and most respected metal labels in the world. Metal Blade launched the careers of Metallica (whose early demos were released on Metal Blade compilations), Slayer (whose early albums were released on Metal Blade), Cannibal Corpse (whose decades-long career has been on Metal Blade), and Amon Amarth. The label is distributed by The Orchard (Sony's independent distribution arm) and continues to sign death metal, power metal, and thrash acts.

Metal Blade built its reputation on the 1980s thrash and death metal scenes. Its early releases (Metallica's appearances on the Metal Massacre compilations, Slayer's Show No Mercy) established the label as a foundational force in extreme metal. The label's signings of Cannibal Corpse (the best-selling death metal band of all time) and Amon Amarth (one of the biggest melodic death metal bands) cemented its status. The modern roster includes Behemoth, Whitechapel, and other acts across death metal, power metal, and thrash. Metal Blade's 40-year history makes it one of the longest-running independent metal labels.

How Metal Blade Operates

Metal Blade runs dedicated A&R under founder Brian Slagel from its Los Angeles headquarters. It is distributed by The Orchard (Sony), giving it major-distribution reach while remaining independently owned. The label's strength is its 40-year history of signing artists who define metal subgenres and its deep ties to the global metal touring, festival, and retail ecosystem. Its A&R favors bands with strong technical ability and underground credibility.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make death metal, power metal, thrash, or black metal, Metal Blade Records is one of the oldest and most respected independent metal labels in the world, with a 40-year track record of signing artists who define metal subgenres. Its signings of Cannibal Corpse and Amon Amarth show it can sustain careers across decades in metal.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

Genre focus: Metal Blade signs heavy metal and its subgenres. Artists outside metal should look elsewhere.
No unsolicited demos: Metal Blade does not accept cold submissions.
Touring expectations: Metal Blade's model favors bands with strong touring followings and festival presence.
Indie deal terms: Metal Blade typically takes master ownership for the deal term.