Metal Blade Records

Independent heavy metal label started in Los Angeles, CA on February 1, 1982 by [a=Brian Slagel]. A German office was opened in 1995.

Known for launching the careers of a number of popular metal bands including [a=Metallica], [a=Slayer], [a=Cannibal Corpse], and many others.
[b]Label Code:[/b] LC 06705 / LC 6705
[b]US Label variants:[/b]

[b]1982 to 1983[/b]
"Tan labels and axe with blood stains"
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/992664-Slayer-Show-No-Mercy]Slayer – Show No Mercy[/url]

Exception 1: "Black labels" available only on Metal Massacre compilation.
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/810749-Various-Metal-Massacre]Metal Massacre[/url]

Exception 2: "Custom tan labels"
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/21959713-Bitch-Damnation-Alley]Bitch (2) – Damnation Alley[/url]

[b]1984 to 1984[/b]
"Silver labels and axe with blood stains" were used only in 1984, pressings with this labels and 1982-1983 dates are actually 1984.
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3627597-Witchkiller-Day-Of-The-Saxons]Witchkiller – Day Of The Saxons[/url]
Re-used in the 2016 Slayer reissues.
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8044506-Slayer-Show-No-Mercy]Slayer - Show No Mercy[/url]

Exception: "Non 1984" some releases were sold in 1987, probably an old stock distributed in new sleeves.
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15555111-Slayer-Haunting-The-Chapel]Slayer – Haunting The Chapel[/url]

[b]1985 to mid-1986[/b]
"White labels with chain, different axe and blood drops"
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1186559-Celtic-Frost-Morbid-Tales]Celtic Frost – Morbid Tales[/url]

[b]1985 to 1987[/b]
"White labels with chain, different axe and blood drops" + [l=Combat] as second label.
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15297006-Hallows-Eve-Tales-Of-Terror]Hallows Eve – Tales Of Terror[/url]

Exception: "White labels without chain, different axe and blood drops" + [l=Combat] as second label.
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1250561-Trouble-The-Skull]Trouble (5) – The Skull[/url]

[b]mid-1986 to early-1987[/b]
"White labels with chain, with old axe and blood drops and [u]underlined[/u] logo"
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2962552-Slayer-Live-Undead]Slayer – Live Undead[/url]

[b]1987 to 1988[/b]
"Black - red labels" + [l=Enigma (4)] as second label.
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2194924-Lizzy-Borden-Terror-Rising]Lizzy Borden – Terror Rising[/url]

[b]1988 to early-90s[/b]
"Razor labels"
eg [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2805995-Viking-Do-Or-Die]Viking – Do Or Die[/url]