Metal Massacre is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on bands such as The Obsessed, Trouble, Overkill, Metal Church, Metallica, Slayer, Virgin Steele, Hellhammer, Voivod, Armored Saint, Lizzy Borden, Possessed and more.

History

In 1981, Brian Slagel, founder of Metal Blade Records, decided to put out a compilation of unsigned, underground metal bands. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s he continued to release more volumes of the compilations. Metal Massacre XII was released in 1995 and was the final Metal Massacre album until Metal Massacre XIII, released 11 years later in 2006. Metal Massacre XIII differed from the previous releases which featured primarily unsigned bands, containing mostly established bands on the Metal Blade roster.

Metal Massacre – 1982

First pressing

Second pressing

Third pressing

40th anniversary edition

Note

The first pressing was released on Metal Blade Records (MBR 1001), a second pressing on Metalworks Records (MW 6363), both in 1982. Black 'n Blue's "Chains Around Heaven" replaced Steeler's "Cold Day in Hell", which was the first track on the original version of the compilation. Version 2 of Metallica's "Hit the Lights" is a new recording as James Hetfield was unhappy with the original version. The second pressing features Dave Mustaine alone on lead guitar instead of Lloyd Grant as lead guitar (first solo) and Dave Mustaine (second solo)-that was version 1. Also version 1 had reportedly James Hetfield on bass and rhythm guitar, while Ron McGovney was not actually playing on version 1 while credited. Version 2 with Dave Mustaine alone on lead guitar (and Ron McGovney on bass) is the same as that included in the No Life Til Leather demo (July 1982). Ratt's "Tell the World" was omitted on subsequent pressings, starting with Metal Blade's 1984 re-issue. The 40th anniversary reissue of the album includes "Cold Day in Hell", "Chains Around Heaven" and "Tell the World", along with version 2 of "Hit the Lights".

Metal Massacre II – 1982

Metal Massacre III – 1983

Metal Massacre IV – 1983

Metal Massacre V – 1984

Metal Massacre VI – 1985

Metal Massacre VII – 1986

Metal Massacre VIII – 1987

Metal Massacre IX – 1988

Metal Massacre X – 1989

Metal Massacre XI – 1991

Metal Massacre XII – 1995

Metal Massacre XIII – 2006

Metal Massacre XIV – 2016

Metal Massacre XV – 2021