Back in the days before the internet existed, labels had to rely on traditional promotion to get the word out on their bands and that included a lot of press coverage from magazines, mailing orders, tape trading and compilations. When Metal Blade Records was born back in 1982, the label released their first compilation album called Metal Massacre.

The compilation series was meant to be used as a medium to expose new, upcoming bands which at the time included bands like Malice, Metallica, Ratt and Slayer. After consistently releasing the compilation every year until 1991, the series became less frequent having its last release in 2006, but after 10 years, the compilation will be back in its 14th edition.

Metal Massacre 14, will be released on April 18th and was curated by Primordial’s frontman Alan Averill who said the following about the series:

‘Metal Massacre’ is an institution that has been dormant for far too long. It served as a vital first step for many bands who are far too numerous to mention back in the early 80s. For fans, it was often the first time engaging with many of these acts, some of whom went on to become household names– some of course didn’t, but the rough and ready underground character of ‘Metal Massacre’ is what set it apart from other compilations back in the day.

Those old recordings captured the vitality and energy of the time: all analog hiss, rattling drums, roaring bass and feed-backing solos…No pro tools compression, cut and paste editing or triggered drums back then. You set the tape rolling and then played for your life.

It was in this spirit that I went about compiling a new ‘Metal Massacre’, with an old school mindset.

Not the most modern sounding, but the bands that capture a more DIY underground spirit that resonates with what ‘Metal Massacre’ once represented.

Of course the musical climate is different, and you probably won’t be listening to the next Metallica, but what is important is that this spirit does not die and that Metal Blade still supports this underground, underdog ethos.

So I give you ‘Metal Massacre’! Back from the dead! Here’s to the next one!”

The compilation will be released on digital, CD and vinyl format and can be preordered here but meanwhile, check out the track listing for each of them below and the promo video at the bottom:

Metal Massacre 14 LP track-listing
Side A
01. The Traveller (Metalian)
02. Until Then…Until the End (Noctum)
03. Bell of Tarantia (Gatekeeper)
04. The Demented Force (Assassin’s Blade)
05. Denim Attack (Cobra)

Side B
06. The Siege of Jerusalem (Stone Dagger)
07. Will of the Ancient Call (Crypt Sermon)
08. The Ripper in Black (Savage Master)
09. No Tomorrow (Outcast)
10. Brothers (Corsair)

Metal Massacre 14 CD track-listing
01. The Traveller (Metalian)
02. Until Then…Until the End (Noctum)
03. Bell of Tarantia (Gatekeeper)
04. The Demented Force (Assassin’s Blade)
05. Denim Attack (Cobra)
06. The Siege of Jerusalem (Stone Dagger)
07. Will of the Ancient Call (Crypt Sermon)
08. The Ripper in Black (Savage Master)
09. No Tomorrow (Outcast)
10. Brothers (Corsair)

Metal Massacre 14 digital track-listing
01. The Traveller (Metalian)
02. Until Then…Until the End (Noctum)
03. Bell of Tarantia (Gatekeeper)
04. The Demented Force (Assassin’s Blade)
05. Denim Attack (Cobra)
06. The Siege of Jerusalem (Stone Dagger)
07. Will of the Ancient Call (Crypt Sermon)
08. The Ripper in Black (Savage Master)
09. No Tomorrow (Outcast)
10. Brothers (Corsair)
11. Cold Cold Ground (Walpyrgus) **Bonus Track
12. Final Spell (Visigoth) **Bonus Track
13. Into Depths (Ravencult) **Bonus Track