# Metal Blade Records

> American independent record label

**Wikidata**: [Q756320](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q756320)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Blade_Records)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/metal-blade-records

## Summary
Metal Blade Records is an American independent record label founded in 1982, specializing in heavy metal and extreme music genres. It operates as a commercial brand and imprint under the phonographic industry, serving as a key entity in the marketing and distribution of music recordings and music videos.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1982
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Genre Focus**: Heavy metal, extreme music
- **Label Type**: Independent record label
- **Headquarters**: California, United States
- **Founder**: Brian Slagel
- **Instance of**: Record label
- **Industry**: Phonographic industry
- **Website**: http://www.metalblade.com
- **Wikidata ID**: Q913085
- **Wikipedia Title**: Metal Blade Records
- **Description**: American independent record label
- **Sitelink Count**: 30
- **GND ID**: 7860465-5 (qualified as "Label")
- **BabelNet ID**: 00049558n
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: sh87003409
- **LoC Classification**: ML3792.A-ML3792.Z
- **Equivalent Classes**: http://dbpedia.org/ontology/RecordLabel, http://purl.org/ontology/mo/Label
- **Maintenance**: Supported by WikiProject Music
- **Digital Presence**: Mapped to MusicBrainz, DBpedia, and Freebase ontologies
- **Commercial Role**: Manages music videos and recordings as marketable assets
- **Legal and Commercial Roles**: As a trademark, protects intellectual property; as a brand, cultivates artist identity and market positioning

## FAQs
- **What is Metal Blade Records?**
  Metal Blade Records is an American independent record label founded in 1982, specializing in heavy metal and extreme music genres. It functions as a commercial brand and imprint, handling the marketing and distribution of music recordings and music videos.

- **Who founded Metal Blade Records?**
  Metal Blade Records was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. Slagel is an American music executive who has played a significant role in the development of the label.

- **What genres does Metal Blade Records specialize in?**
  Metal Blade Records specializes in heavy metal and extreme music genres, including subgenres such as death metal, thrash metal, and melodic death metal. The label is known for its focus on these genres and has released albums by notable bands in these categories.

- **Where is Metal Blade Records headquartered?**
  Metal Blade Records is headquartered in California, United States. The label operates as an independent entity within the phonographic industry, with a strong presence in the American music market.

- **What is the significance of Metal Blade Records in the music industry?**
  Metal Blade Records is significant in the music industry for its role in promoting and distributing heavy metal and extreme music. The label has released albums by notable bands and has contributed to the growth and visibility of these genres. It is recognized as a key entity in the phonographic industry, with a strong brand identity and commercial presence.

## Why It Matters
Metal Blade Records is a foundational entity in the heavy metal and extreme music scene, playing a crucial role in the production, distribution, and promotion of music recordings and music videos. As an independent record label, it has supported the careers of numerous bands and artists, contributing to the cultural and commercial success of these genres. The label's focus on heavy metal and extreme music has helped to shape the landscape of contemporary music, providing a platform for artists to reach a global audience. Metal Blade Records' role in the phonographic industry underscores its importance in the global music market, where it operates as a commercial brand and imprint. Its influence extends beyond the music industry, as it has also been recognized in various databases and ontologies, ensuring its presence in digital knowledge systems. The label's commitment to protecting intellectual property and cultivating artist identity further solidifies its relevance in the ever-evolving music landscape.

## Notable For
- **Genre Specialization**: Metal Blade Records is notable for its focus on heavy metal and extreme music genres, including death metal, thrash metal, and melodic death metal.
- **Independent Label**: As an independent record label, Metal Blade Records has played a significant role in supporting and promoting artists within these genres.
- **Commercial Brand**: The label operates as a commercial brand and imprint, handling the marketing and distribution of music recordings and music videos.
- **Cultural Impact**: Metal Blade Records has contributed to the cultural and commercial success of heavy metal and extreme music, providing a platform for artists to reach a global audience.
- **Digital Presence**: The label is recognized in various databases and ontologies, including MusicBrainz, DBpedia, and Freebase, ensuring its presence in digital knowledge systems.
- **Intellectual Property**: Metal Blade Records is committed to protecting intellectual property and cultivating artist identity, further solidifying its relevance in the music industry.

## Body
### Definition and Scope
Metal Blade Records is an American independent record label founded in 1982, specializing in heavy metal and extreme music genres. It operates as a commercial brand and imprint under the phonographic industry, serving as a key entity in the marketing and distribution of music recordings and music videos. The label is subclassified under trade name, brand, trademark, and music organization, emphasizing its role as both a legal and cultural entity.

### Founding and Founder
Metal Blade Records was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. Slagel is an American music executive who has played a significant role in the development of the label. His involvement has been instrumental in shaping the label's focus on heavy metal and extreme music genres.

### Genre Focus
Metal Blade Records specializes in heavy metal and extreme music genres, including subgenres such as death metal, thrash metal, and melodic death metal. The label is known for its focus on these genres and has released albums by notable bands in these categories. This specialization has helped the label to establish a strong brand identity and commercial presence within the music industry.

### Headquarters and Operations
Metal Blade Records is headquartered in California, United States. The label operates as an independent entity within the phonographic industry, with a strong presence in the American music market. Its headquarters serve as the central hub for the label's operations, including the marketing, distribution, and promotion of music recordings and music videos.

### Commercial Role
As a commercial brand and imprint, Metal Blade Records manages music videos and recordings as marketable assets. The label oversees artist contracts and royalties, ensuring that artists receive fair compensation for their work. This commercial role is central to the label's operations, as it allows Metal Blade Records to generate revenue and support the careers of its artists.

### Legal and Commercial Roles
Metal Blade Records functions as a trademark, protecting intellectual property and ensuring that the label's brand identity is maintained. As a brand, the label cultivates artist identity and market positioning, helping to establish a strong presence in the music industry. These legal and commercial roles are essential to the label's success, as they allow it to operate as a distinct and recognizable entity within the phonographic industry.

### Digital Presence
Metal Blade Records is recognized in various databases and ontologies, including MusicBrainz, DBpedia, and Freebase. This digital presence ensures that the label is visible in digital knowledge systems, making it easier for fans and industry professionals to find and engage with the label's content. The label's presence in these databases also facilitates data integration and interoperability, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the label's role in the music industry.

### Industry and Classification
Metal Blade Records is integral to the phonographic industry, classified under LoC "ML3792.A-ML3792.Z" and aligned with digital ontologies like MusicBrainz and DBpedia. The label's classification within the industry reflects its role as a key entity in the marketing and distribution of music recordings and music videos.

### Cultural Impact
Metal Blade Records has contributed to the cultural and commercial success of heavy metal and extreme music, providing a platform for artists to reach a global audience. The label's focus on these genres has helped to shape the landscape of contemporary music, ensuring that heavy metal and extreme music remain relevant and influential in the global music market.

### Related Bands and Artists
Metal Blade Records has released albums by notable bands and artists, including Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, and Whitechapel. These bands have contributed to the label's reputation as a leading entity in the heavy metal and extreme music scene, helping to establish Metal Blade Records as a key player in the music industry.

### Maintenance and Community
Metal Blade Records is supported by WikiProject Music, which oversees Wikipedia content standardization, ensuring accuracy in label-related articles. The label's presence in various databases and ontologies, as well as its recognition in the Library of Congress authority files, underscores its importance in the music industry and its commitment to maintaining a strong brand identity.

### Equivalent Classes and Identifiers
Metal Blade Records is mapped to various databases and ontologies, including BabelNet, GND, LoC Authority ID, and Zhihu Topic ID. These identifiers ensure that the label is recognized and understood within the broader context of the music industry, facilitating data integration and interoperability.

### Historical and Technical Context
Metal Blade Records has adapted to technological shifts in the music industry, from physical formats (vinyl, CDs) to digital streaming. The label's commitment to protecting intellectual property and cultivating artist identity has ensured its relevance in the ever-evolving music landscape.

### Notable Connections
Metal Blade Records is connected to various entities within the music industry, including MusicBrainz, Wikidata, and Museum Digital Tag ID. These connections highlight the label's role in music information infrastructure and its commitment to preserving and promoting the cultural significance of heavy metal and extreme music.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. Google Knowledge Graph
6. YouTube API