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Going back to a time of growth and change in metal (thanks to one Brian Slagel!), we get into the Metal Massacre I Compilation courtesy of Metal Blade Records. (NOTE: This is definitely the most metal sentence you will read today). JOIN US as we review the Metal Blade Metal Massacre I compilation and get deep into some metal history, some Metal Nerdery (and most DEFINITELY some metal silliness and ridiculousnessness!)
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The Metal Massacre compilation was originally released in 1982 by Brian Slagel, future founder of Metal Blade Records. The album featured underground and unsigned metal bands and was the first appearance of Metallica, who wasn’t even an actual band at the time. The compilation featured a few bands that would move on to become superstars and others that were never heard from again.
When popularity demanded additional pressings he had to remove Steeler who were moving on to Shrapnel and replaced them with Black ‘n Blue for the second pressing. For the third pressing he had to remove Ratt who had signed to Atlantic and just released the album with nine songs.
Also, on the second and third pressings Metallica were able to release and second version of hit the lights. On the original version neither Dave Mustaine (guitar) or Ron McGovney (bass) were in the band. Hetfield played the bass and a friend of theirs, Lloyd Grant played the guitar leads. The second version of the song featured Mustaine performing the leads.
FIRST PRESSING
1 STEELER - Cold Day In Hell
2 BITCH - Live For The Whip
3 MALICE - Captive Of Light
4 RATT - Tell The World
5 AVATAR - Octave
6 CIRITH UNGOL - Death Of The Sun
7 DEMON FIGHT - Dead Of The Night
8 PANDEMONIUM - Fighting Backwards
9 MALICE - Kick You Down
10 METALLICA (listed as METTALLICA) - Hit The Lights
SECOND PRESSING
1 BLACK N’ BLUE - Chains Around Heaven
2 BITCH - Live For The Whip
3 MALICE - Captive Of Light
4 RATT - Tell The World
5 AVATAR - Octave
6 CIRITH UNGOL - Death Of The Sun
7 DEMON FIGHT - Dead Of The Night
8 PANDEMONIUM - Fighting Backwards
9 MALICE - Kick You Down
10 METALLICA (listed as METTALLICA) - Hit The Lights
THIRD PRESSING
1 BLACK N’ BLUE - Chains Around Heaven
2 BITCH - Live For The Whip
3 MALICE - Captive Of Light
4 AVATAR - Octave
5 CIRITH UNGOL - Death Of The Sun
6 DEMON FIGHT - Dead Of The Night
7 PANDEMONIUM - Fighting Backwards
8 MALICE - Kick You Down
9 METALLICA - Hit The Lights
STEELER - Cold Day In Hell
Released one album, Steeler on Shrapnel Records in 1983. They were active from 81-84. At various points featured Ron Keel, Yngwie J. Malmsteen and Greg Chaisson (Badlands).
BITCH - Live For The Whip
The first artist ever signed to Metal Blade. They’ve been active since 1980 and have released two EPs and three albums, all on Metal Blade.
MALICE - Captive Of Light
They were active 81-88 and then 2006 to the present. They have released one EP and three albums. Deen Castronovo played drums for them early on. He’s also played with Tony MacAlpine (Maximum Security and others), Journey, Ozzy, Cacophony, Social D, GZR, Steve Vai and others.
RATT - Tell The World
Released on this compilation just after shortening their name from Mickey Ratt to just Ratt and with Stephen Pearcy being the only member at this point to be in the future classic line up. They’ve released seven studio albums and one EP. They were active from 1976-1992, 1996-2014 and 2015 to present. They’ve had some great musicians with them at different times over the years including, Jake E. Lee, Michael Schenker, John Corabi, Carlos Cavazo and Jimmy DeGrasso.
AVATAR - Octave (Instrumental)
Avatar was the early version of Savatage. Formed from the remains of the Olivia brothers previous bands it was their first band together. They changed their name to Savatage in 1982 due to copyright issues by combining the words Savage and Avatar. I can’t find this song on any releases they put out from this time period but I’m assuming this is all correct. If not, please enlighten me. Savatage was active 1979-2002 and 2014 to present. In addition to the core members they’ve also had Chris Caffery, Al Pitrelli, Ales Skolnick, Ray Gillen, Jeff Waters and others.
CIRITH UNGOL - Death Of The Sun
The band has been active from 1971-1992 and 2016 to present. Their original style was hard and prog rock but they developed a heavier sound with their first album that is an example of early American Power Metal. Their second album saw them pioneering and early version of Doom Metal. The band took their name from the mountain pass in The Lord Of The Rings. They have released four studio albums.
DEMON FLIGHT - Dead Of The Night
They were a band thrown together by three L.A. studio musicians who were friends with Metal Blades owner Brian Slagel. The Flight Of The Demon ep is their only known recording and one of the earliest signings to Metal Blade.
PANDEMONIUM - Fighting Backwards
Formed in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1977 and moved to L.A. in 1980. They were originally named Demon. They were active until 1989. They released 3 albums, all on Metal Blade. As a side note, their album covers are right up there with the worst I’ve ever seen. They do a cover of Black Sabbath’s Snow Blind though.
MALICE - Kick You Down
The only artist to appear twice on the compilation.
“METTALLICA” - Hit The Lights
Formed in 1981 in L.A., still active of course. This version of the song was recorded for the compilation prior to the band actually forming. Hetfield referred to their sound as Power Metal prior to a music journalist referring to Anthrax’s song Metal Thrashing Mad as Thrash Metal. This version definitely sounds different from the final album version. Interesting to hear though, especially the vocals & solo.
BLACK ‘N BLUE - Chains Around Heaven
Formed in 1981 in Portland, OR under the name Movie Star. They later changed their name due to their up front sound and leather and denim look. Their appearance on this compilation led to them being signed to a worldwide recording deal with Geffen Records. They were active from 1981-1989, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008 to present. They have released five albums and two life albums. Their guitarist Tommy Thayer would retire from being an active musician, becoming Gene Simmons assistant and then tour manager. He became their guitarist in 2002, a role where he is still to this day.
00.00: Intro (We’ll get past this…eventually)/Metal Nerdery PSA: INTERNATIONAL METAL NERDERY SHOUT OUT to the growing WORLDWIDE legions of Metal Nerds who are downloading, listening and spreading the wordery about the Metal Nerdery (our commendments to you all!!!)
04.26: Metal Massacre I, Metal Blade Records and Brian Slagel/Mettallica
07.26: Steeler (Ron and Yngwie)/Ratt (!)/The Orishinal pressing (Activate the MNTT!!) and Pressing around (Thrice Pressed)/Black and Blue
12.30: a weird spot in Metal/Steeler… Nikki Spitz…and a donut loving Yngwie!
21.46: Bitch (est. 1980)/PMRC: Boosting the sales of metal (and Satan’s ego) since the 80’s!!/hungover
26.13: Malice and The Geeoff T8 Total package/Hints of Maiden/Scream from the Balls!
31.27: Ratt (and their lesser, former names) with the Dave Mustaine of Ratt/The Ratt Roster (Bless Jake E. Lee!)/Street metal and gritty/Tell the world (that she’s got the looks that kill!)
38.11: The collective Metal Nerdery salute to the Savage Avatar of Savatage
46.03: Cirith Ungol (kick ass album covers)/pioneers of power metal and doom metal/Wait, WHAT!?/ www.metalnerdery.com/episodes /album cover awesomeness
51.39: Demon Flight, a weak King Diamond (and weaker album art)
55.30: Pandemonium’s album covers and eskimo metal/Wait, is that a dude?/Misheard lyrics
1.00.36: More Malice, more Halfordian/Band and Track listing updates on subsequent pressings: The Hot Metal awesomeness of Black and Blue (with Ace Frehley!?)
1.07.53: Mettallica /Proto Metal/KEEP SPREADING THE WORDERY ABOUT METAL NERDERY PODCAST!!