Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records on the MetalSucks Podcast #155

July 18th, 2016 at 12:30pm
MetalSucks

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.

Stream this week’s episode below. Remember to subscribe to the MetalSucks Podcast on iTunes, subscribe to our direct feed or download this episode directly.

Songs:
Abnormality – “Synthetic Pathogenesis”
Norma Jean – “1,000,000 Watts”

Follow us on Twitter: @BeardedApe and @GodlessSpeaks
Follow us on Instagram: @ChuckandGodless
Support us on Patreon: www.chuckandgodless.com