'For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records' now available for pre-order

On August 29th, Metal Blade Records and BMG will release For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records - written by label founder and CEO Brian Slagel with Mark Eglinton, and featuring a foreword by Metallica's Lars Ulrich. Celebrating the storied label's 35th anniversary, For the Sake of Heaviness is an inside look at how Slagel 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. 

To pre-order For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records, please visit: http://smarturl.it/mbr35th - where an exclusive box-set is available, with the following contents: 
--For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records book
--For the Sake of Heaviness cassette
--Metal Blade Records 35th anniversary bookmark
--bookplate autographed by Brian Slagel
* box dimensions: 9.375" x 6.375" x 1.25" 

See below for the For the Sake of Heaviness cassette track-listing: 
SIDE A
1. Fates Warning "Guardian"
2. Lizzy Borden "Lord of the Flies"
3. Omen "Holy Martyr"
4. Cirith Ungol "Black Machine"
5. GWAR "Gor-Gor"
6. Cannibal Corpse "Stripped, Raped, and Strangled"
7. Six Feet Under "War Is Coming"
SIDE B
1. Mercyful Fate "Egypt"
2. King Diamond "Voodoo"
3. The Black Dahlia Murder "Funeral Thirst"
4. Unearth "Black Hearts Now Reign"
5. Amon Amarth "Twilight of the Thunder God"
6. Visigoth "From the Arcane Mists of Prophecy" 

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. Slagel reveals the early advice he gave that helped guide Motley Crue's career; how he helped Metallica replace their bassist - twice; his detailed work on Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper re-issues; his behind-the-scenes role in the careers of Slayer, GWAR, 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.  

Metal Blade Records online:
http://metalblade.com
https://www.facebook.com/metalbladerecords
https://twitter.com/MetalBlade
https://www.youtube.com/MetalBladeRecords
https://instagram.com/metalbladerecords

Metal Blade Records to release 'Metal Massacre 14' compilation in April

In 1982, Metal Blade Records put out its first release: Metal Massacre, a compilation album that included Metallica, Ratt, and many other influential artists. Now, Metal Blade will be releasing Metal Massacre 14 on April 8th - and continuing the legacy of the first album - the CD/LP/digital formats will once again contain a sampling of contemporary heavy metal. To pre-order your copy - and to hear clips of each track - please visit: metalblade.com/metalmassacre 

Primordial's Alan Averill - who compiled the Metal Massacre 14 track-listing - comments: "'Metal Massacre' is an institution that has been dormant for far too long. It served as a vital first step for many bands who are far too numerous to mention back in the early 80s. For fans, it was often the first time engaging with many of these acts, some of whom went on to become household names-- some of course didn't, but the rough and ready underground character of 'Metal Massacre' is what set it apart from other compilations back in the day. 

Those old recordings captured the vitality and energy of the time: all analog hiss, rattling drums, roaring bass and feed-backing solos...No pro tools compression, cut and paste editing or triggered drums back then. You set the tape rolling and then played for your life. 

It was in this spirit that I went about compiling a new 'Metal Massacre', with an old school mindset. 

Not the most modern sounding, but the bands that capture a more DIY underground spirit that resonates with what 'Metal Massacre' once represented. 

Of course the musical climate is different, and you probably won't be listening to the next Metallica, but what is important is that this spirit does not die and that Metal Blade still supports this underground, underdog ethos. 

So I give you 'Metal Massacre'! Back from the dead! Here's to the next one!" 

See below for the CD, LP, and digital track-listings for Metal Massacre 14. 

Metal Massacre 14 LP track-listing

Side A

1. Metalian - "The Traveler"

2. Noctum - "Until Then Until The End"

3. Gatekeeper - "Bell Of Tarantia"

4. Assassin's Blade - "The Demented Force"

5. Cobra - "Denim Attack"

Side B

6. Stone Dagger - "The Siege Of Jerusalem"

7. Crypt Sermon - "Will Of The Ancient Call"

8. Savage Master - "The Ripper In Black"

9. Outcast - "No Tomorrow"

10. Corsair - "Brothers" 

Metal Massacre 14 CD track-listing

1. Metalian - "The Traveler"

2. Noctum - "Until Then Until The End"

3. Gatekeeper - "Bell Of Tarantia"

4. Assassin's Blade - "The Demented Force"

5. Cobra - "Denim Attack"

6. Stone Dagger - "The Siege Of Jerusalem"

7. Crypt Sermon - "Will Of The Ancient Call"

8. Savage Master - "The Ripper In Black"

9. Outcast - "No Tomorrow"

10. Corsair - "Brothers"

11. Walpyrgus - "Cold Cold Ground" **BONUS**

12. Visigoth - "Final Spell" **BONUS**

13. Ravencult - "Into Depths" **BONUS** 

Metal Massacre 14 digital track-listing

1. Metalian - "The Traveler"

2. Noctum - "Until Then Until The End"

3. Gatekeeper - "Bell Of Tarantia"

4. Assassin's Blade - "The Demented Force"

5. Cobra - "Denim Attack"

6. Stone Dagger - "The Siege Of Jerusalem"

7. Crypt Sermon - "Will Of The Ancient Call"

8. Savage Master - "The Ripper In Black"

9. Outcast - "No Tomorrow"

10. Corsair - "Brothers"

11. Walpyrgus - "Cold Cold Ground" **BONUS**

12. Visigoth - "Final Spell" **BONUS**

13. Ravencult - "Into Depths" **BONUS** 

Metal Blade Records online:

http://metalblade.com

https://www.facebook.com/metalbladerecords

https://twitter.com/MetalBlade

https://www.youtube.com/MetalBladeRecords

https://instagram.com/metalbladerecords

http://stores.ebay.com/metalbladerecordsus

HELION PRIME release part two of new album track by track video breakdown.

Sacramento, California science fiction power metal band HELION PRIME have released part two of their new debut album track by track video breakdown.

Helion Prime vocalist Heather Michele has checked in with the following comment:

Less than a week away until the release of Helion Prime's debut album, and we could not be more excited to share it with you all. As promised, here is part two of a track by track breakdown of the songs from the debut album. Stay tuned everyone!

Helion Prime - "Helion Prime" cd track by track video breakdown - Part Two

Helion Prime - "Helion Prime" cd track by track video breakdown - Part One

Helion Prime have announced two cd release shows in Northern California during the month of February.

Helion Prime guitarist Jason Ashcraft has checked in with the following comment:

We are very excited to announce two very special shows that will help us celebrate the release of the album. We look forward to seeing as many of our friends as possible at these. We hope to make them memorable nights in Helion Prime's history.

February 26 - Blue Lamp - Sacramento, California

Sacramento, CA show tickets link

February 27 - Bobby D's Cocktail Lounge - Redwood City, California

The self titled Helion Prime debut album is scheduled for an independent release on February 15, 2016 and can be pre-ordered now as either a physical or digital copy at the band's BandCamp website:

Helion Prime - "Helion Prime" Pre-Order Link

All pre-orders will be able to immediately download the album's new single "Into the Black Hole" featuring a guest guitar solo from Jeff Teets of Allentown, Pennsylvania progressive metal band Mindmaze.

Helion Prime - "Helion Prime" album tracklist:

1. Into the Alien Terrain

2. The Drake Equation

3. Life Finds a Way

4. Into the Black Hole

5. A Place I Thought I Knew

6. Keep What You Kill

7. Ocean of Time

8. Moon-Watcher

9. Apollo (The Eagle Has Landed)

10. Live and Die On This Day

Produced by Jason Ashcraft, Heather Michele and Carlos Alvarez
Lead/Acoustic Guitars & Drums recorded by JK Northrup at Alien Productions
Rhythm Guitars recorded at Jason Ashcraft's Bury the Sun Productions studio
Bass Recorded by Jeremy Steinhouse at home studio
Edited and Mixed by Carlos Alvarez at Dirty Viking Audio Productions
Mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studios

Helion Prime

Heather Michele - Vocals
Jason Ashcraft - Guitars
Jeremy Steinhouse - Bass
Justin Herzer - Drums

Promotional Video - Helion Prime - "Into The Black Hole"

For the latest band news and show dates, visit the official Helion Prime website and Facebook page:

Official Helion Prime website

Official Helion Prime Facebook page

JUDAS PRIEST SET "MARCH OF THE DAMNED" AS LEADOFF SINGLE FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM, 'REDEEMER OF SOULS'

For the past few weeks, metalheads worldwide have undoubtedly been enjoying the "sneak peak" title track from Judas Priest's forthcoming 'Redeemer of Souls' album. And on Monday, May 19th, the official leadoff single from the album, "March of the Damned," will be released to rock and metal radio, and will be available for purchase via all digital sales providers. Additionally, on the same day, preorders for the full album will be made available through iTunes: http://smarturl.it/redeemerofsouls-albm As the band themselves said about "March of the Damned," "Our passion for heavy metal has never diminished, and this track sounds off with real conviction!" Listen to the new song here: http://youtu.be/HJhm2vZFj2k. 'Redeemer of Souls' will be made available from Epic Records on Tuesday, July 15th, 2014, as both a standard version and a deluxe edition with five bonus tracks. When asked what fans can expect from Priest's 17th album overall, guitarist Glenn Tipton replied, "Sometimes in the past we may have come under fire for being too adventurous musically - so we have listened!! From start to finish 'Redeemer of Souls' is 13 songs of pure classic Priest metal!!" Comprised of Rob Halford (vocals), Glenn Tipton (guitar), Richie Faulkner (guitar), Ian Hill (bass), and Scott Travis (drums), Judas Priest is responsible for some of heavy metal's all-time classic songs ("Living After Midnight," "Breaking the Law," "You've Got Another Thing Coming," etc.) and albums ('British Steel,' 'Screaming for Vengeance,' 'Painkiller,' etc. And soon, fans will discover that Priest has assembled another metal classic, with the "March of the Damned" single and 'Redeemer of Souls' full-length. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: www.judaspriest.com www.facebook.com/OfficialJudasPriest