The official Relapse Records SoundCloud page. Home of the finest current and alumni roster in extreme metal including artists such as OBITUARY, MASTODON, BARONESS, DYING FETUS, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, RED FANG, OBSCURA, NOTHING, SUFFOCATION, NILE, AMORPHIS, DEATH, THE ALBUM LEAF, NECROPHAGIST and many more!

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The #1 in Extreme Music! As the world's biggest independent Heavy Metal label we give you access to always the latest songs, official music videos, interviews, live performances and more from artists like Slayer, Machine Head, Nightwish, Eluveitie, Exodus, Anthrax, Meshuggah, Hatebreed, Testament, Sepultura, Children Of Bodom, Dimmu Borgir, Avantasia and many more.

Metal Blade Records history by Dan Slessor:
Founded upon owner Brian Slagel's enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalogue, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it strides into its fourth decade.

What perhaps makes this achievement all the more notable is the fact that Slagel never even intended to start a label. Working in an LA record store and writing for various publications, Slagel was acutely aware that many great bands in the local metal scene were being ignored, and he decided to release a compilation of tracks drawn from these ranks. "There were a lot of really good bands and I was just bummed out that nobody could hear them. It just seemed like I could help them out and have some fun at the same time, and that compilation was the first Metal Massacre," he states. Collating tracks from then unknown bands including Ratt, Bitch, Cirith Ungol, and Metallica amongst others, the compilation sold out immediately. "How important is Metal Blade to our career? They're only the reason we are enjoying the worldwide success we have today," states Metallica's James Hetfield. "Without Brian's openness to some raunchy teens with a crap sounding cassette tape we would be who knows where, and playing who knows what!" With the popularity of the tape spurring Slagel on, the first seeds of Metal Blade were sown. "After the success of those compilations I just started putting out records of bands that I was friends with, but without ever really intending it to be a label at all," he explains. "After I put out four or five releases I started to feel like something was happening, and I decided to quit the record store and quit college and see where it went."

Battling through the first few lean years, when the label consisted solely of Slagel working out of his mom's poorly ventilated garage in the San Fernando Valley, it gradually grew in both revenue and stature. Within a few years Metal Blade would go on to release the debuts of Slayer, Armored Saint, Trouble, and Corrosion Of Conformity amongst others, fanning the flames of the burgeoning metal scene and launching careers of bands that would go onto reap global success. "Without Metal Blade, there is a damn good chance we never would've made it out of L.A," says Slayer's Kerry King. "That was the one bit of luck we needed. You can be the most awesome band on the scene, and if no one notices you, you don't catch on. And Brian Slagel is still one of the biggest metalheads I know!" This genuine love and devotion to metal is central to the relationship many of the artists have with Metal Blade, and King Diamond credits much of its relevance and strength to this passion. "I refer to it as having 'boots on the ground'," the mighty Dane states. "It's not like a major label where some people might be into what you're doing but a lot of them just see it as a job – there's a genuine love for metal there. Through staying true to that and doing their own thing they've carved out a very specific niche that they control, and as an artist it's wonderful to be a part of that."over the years. Clearly without those people we couldn't do what we do, and to everyone out there who has helped us along by being a fan we are so very grateful to you."

Read more: http://www.metalblade.com/us/about-us/

Blast Head Records was official formed in 2011 and is dedicated to supporting bands in the extreme music genre, with a focus on Brutal Death Metal and Grindcore. Based on the East Coast of Canada Blast Head Records will strive to be the best extreme label and shop east of Quebec! Quality products and customer service to our bands and fans is our main focus!

“The idea for a record label has been kicking around for years; I finally decided it was time to make it a reality! I have a true passion for extreme music and I know that being in a band is a lot of work. Having someone dedicated to supporting and helping you is a huge asset; this is something I want to be able to offer the bands on my label.” – Paul Shaw (Blast Head Records)

Releases:
BHR 001 – Splattered Entrails “Nauseate”


Abo Vo are a UK rock band formed by Sophie Steele and Francis Alexander in 2012. The duo immediately began writing and recording material for what would later be known as their début EP 'Visions'.

For this first EP session musicians were hired in preference to recruiting full time band members as a way of preserving creative control over of the record and maximizing artistic integrity. As well as the established Abo Vo partnership of Sophie Steele (vocals) and Francis Alexander (guitars) 'Visions' also features the services of Dave Richie on bass (formerly of 60's & 70's psychedelic folk/rock bands Red Dirt and Snake Eye), and David Bradfield on drums/ keys/ piano (Baseman Family, Hot Gospel). 'Visions' is produced by Adrian Jenkinson (Founding member of New Wave of British Heavy Metal outfit Salem) who also performs some additional percussion and backing vocals on the record. 

Musically 'Visions' is an eclectic intertwining of funk rhythms, jazz harmony and contemporary classical arrangement that never strays too far from its hard edged rock roots. There is a progressive side to the EP but with the emphasis placed more on technical flourishes and nuance as opposed to unnecessary time signature changes and ten minute long tangents. 'Visions' is decorated by the highly distinctive tone of Sophie Steele, and fire breathing guitar work of Francis Alexander. This results in a highly melodic, musically refined and refreshing approach to rock fusion. 

After the completion of 'Visions' Abo Vo have now successfully recruited the full line up for the touring band which will feature Sophie Steele (Lead Vocals/ Guitar), Ben Saville (Keys/ Backing Vocals), Daniel Ellis (Drums), Paul Julian (Bass), and Francis Alexander (Guitar/ Backing Vocals). Look out for shows all over the UK in support of the début EP 'Visions'.  


Bangers made on the cheap - Stuff I make to amuse myself with limited talent.

Tom Britton 3 is following