Brian Slagel

"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. The book recounts the early beginning of a metal-obsessed Southern California kid who launched a fanzine and landed a record store job, before cobbling together what he assumed would be a one-off compilation of fledgling bands from the L.A. scene. Released in 1982, the Metal Massacre LP included the debut recordings of local groups such as Steeler, Malice, Ratt, and Metallica. 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 Mötley Crüe's career; how he helped Metallica replace their bassist--twice; his detailed work on Thin Lizzy and Alice Cooper reissues; 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"--Publisher's description.

the history of Metal Blade Records

For the sake of heaviness

Mark Eglinton

Lars Ulrich

For The Sake Of Heaviness is an inside look at how Brian Slagel built Metal Blade Records 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. As a metal-obsessed Southern California kid, he cobbled together what he assumed would be a one-off compilation of fledgling bands from the LA scene. Released in 1982, the Metal Massacre LP included the debut recordings of Ratt, Metallica, and others. In the wake of the album's unexpected success Slagel stumbled into creating a proper record label and issued the first releases by Bitch, Armored Saint, and Slayer the following year.In this book, Brian shares his insights into signing and working with Amon Amarth, As I Lay Dying, Behemoth, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cannibal Corpse, Cirith Ungol, Corrosion of Conformity, Fates Warning, Gwar, King Diamond and Mercyful Fate, Lizzy Borden, Manowar, Sacred Reich, Six Feet Under, Trouble, Unearth, Whitechapel, and others.Featuring insights and extended guest interviews featuring friends, colleagues, Metal Blade staffers, and a long list of artists—including Metallica's James Hetfield, Slayer's Kerry King, King Diamond, and more—For The Sake Of Heaviness is, first and foremost, Brian Slagel's personal conversation about his life's passion, and the passion that drives Metal Blade: finding, exposing, and promoting the best heavy music on the planet.

Brian Slagel

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