Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel launched his independent label in 1982 with the compilation Metal Massacre, which featured the first label appearance by Metallica, as well as songs by Black N Blue and Malice, who would both also go on to receive major-label deals. While many metal labels crashed and burned in the early ’90s when alternative and grunge became popular, Metal Blade became the go-to label for the underground. Slagel, and Metal Blade, have been ahead of the curve in metal for years now: get a taste of the label’s history with this sampler.