#155: Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records

This week on your favorite metal podcast we feature our first
interview with a member of the Mt. Rushmore of the metal industry,
Brian Slagel, founder and owner of Metal Blade Records. Brian and
Metal Blade have been in the metal business for nearly 35
years, developing some of the biggest acts in the history of
metal such as Slayer, Gwar, Amon Amarth, Behemoth, Between the
Buried and Me, and so many more. Brian's early career found him
side by side with some of the most well-known musicians in the
genre; his first release included a track from a little-known band
called Metallica. We're a bit star struck, as his ability to
choose acts and stand tall with and against trends over the years
is the stuff of legend, but Slagel is still one of the most down to
Earth people in the industry and maintains day to day operation of
his label. We talk about the past and future of Metal
Blade and the industry as a whole, his finest achievements and
biggest mistakes, how streaming is effecting the current
revenue models in the metal world and whether or not he is
still speaking with one of his most controversial artists. Songs:
Abnormality – "Synthetic Pathogenesis" Norma Jean – "1,000,000
Watts" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
podcastchoices.com/adchoices