Metal Blade Records 20th Anniversary box set

It's not unusual for a record company to release a vanity album or box set, and usually when they do it they go to extremes to give it the full deluxe treatment. And independent heavy metal label Metal Blade Records is no exception to the rule. So when they reached their 20th anniversary in 2002, they released a massive 10 disc set with 9 CD's, 1 DVD, and nearly a half a day's worth of music on it.

But Metal Blade are a label that can put out a vanity release without it seeming narcissistic and self-absorbed. Why? Because they are a label known for their consistently good music, their integrity as businessmen, their kindness and loyalty to their artists, and the many important contributions to the genre which they are a part of. Atop this, Metal Blade has built a strong branding around the label and its back catalogue, which makes them about as addictive to get into as Topps baseball cards.

And it is Metal Blade's addictive quality that makes this box set worthwhile. Nine CD's and one DVD with so much coverage of certain groups seems over-the-top at first. But as you get to know the label and fall in love with groups like Lizzy Borden and Armored Saint and start digging through the Metal Blade back catalogue regularly, this collection seems like a perfect immersion.

Here's a little except from an interview with Metal Blade's Founder and CEO Brian Slagel about the making of the 20th Anniversary Box set, courtesy of Metal-Rules.com. Click here to read the entire interview.

Q: Tell us about the creation of the 20th anniversary box-set.

A: Well it took a lot longer than I ever thought. We started working on it in September of 2001 and it did not come out until December 2002! It was a fun process though, but also a TON of work. I think it came out pretty well, of course I know all the mistakes! Overall though I am pretty happy with it.

Q: About the box-set: How hard was it to decide who made 'the cut ' for inclusion? You have supported many, many bands over the years! Inevitably somebody's favorite will be left off, but as the coach you had to decide who made the team!

A: Yes that was really hard. At first I had about 15 cds worth of music. So I had to cut it down and that was really hard. A lot of great stuff did not get on, but overall I think the best of what we did is on there.

Favorite groups on the box: Too many to count. Probably King's X, Thin Lizzy, Trouble, and Lizzy Borden

Least favorite groups on the box: Crisis and a number of the monster vocal groups

Favorite discs: Disc 4 (Glory Years Part 2)

Least favorite disc: Disc 6 (a string of monster vocals + Crisis)

Favorite discoveries: Fates Warning "The Eleventh Hour (live)" and Starz "Violation". I've played both of these tunes over and over and over!

Least favorite discovery: Crisis. Female singer Karyn Crisis can scream like a man to the point that she doesn't sound female at all; interesting but big whoop--the music blows and besides I like my ladies to be feminine.

Most metal: Manowar. Every metal cliché in the book is right here! Not even considered music by the critics, so you know they have to be good. :-D

Least metal: Junk Monkeys. They're decent power pop, so no complaints. But they're definitely the lightweights on this compilation. If you're going to include the lightweights, why are there two tracks from Junk Monkeys and nothing from the Goo Goo Dolls?

Favorite album cover: Monument by Hallow's Eve (1988). Easily the classiest thrash metal album cover I've ever seen! Love the jade green and black background and the model wearing the green lipstick and opera gloves. I'm a sucker for ladies in opera gloves so go figure.

Least favorite album cover: the pornographic Tomb of the Mutilated by Cannibal Corpse. I used the single version of "Hammer Smashed Face" in the MP3 files so that I wouldn't have to include the artwork in this lens. Yeah, I'm a prude; get over it.

Most consistently great: King's X

Most consistently inconsistent: Fates Warning! They range from stunningly powerful to yawn inducing.

Most Over-Represented: Cannibal Corpse

Most Under-Represented: 1) The Goo Goo Dolls. Of course they're not metal, but they're sure important to the label so their complete absence is pretty conspicuous, especially with two songs from the similar-sounding but lesser-known Junk Monkeys. 2) Nevada Beach. They just barely sneaked into the "Hard and Heavy" footage added as a bonus track on the DVD. One full song from them would have been nice.

Wished would have made the cut: one track each from Atomic Opera's Gospel Cola (2000; one of the best prog metal albums ever!) and Satan's Court In the Act (1982; a NWOBHM milestone and one of the earliest Metal Blade reissues).

Glad didn't make the cut: Anything Nu-metal

Most Preferred Tradeouts: I would have liked to have seen either "Master of Disguise" or "We Got the Power" in place of "Sins of the Flesh" from the landmark Master of Disguise by Lizzy Borden. I also would have preferred "Your Hands" or "Monster" instead of "High Noon" from Flotsam and Jetsam's High (1997) and "The Uninvited Guest" instead of "Into the Unknown" off Mercyful Fate's Into the Unknown (1996).

Biggest surprises: 1) Cannibal Corpse "Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead" music video (quite good!); 2) Chris Barnes trying to stretch the boundaries of death metal with Six Feet Under and having some success with it ("Insect" isn't too shabby); 3) the Lizzy Borden "Zanzibar" demo that turned out to be from 1993?! I had no idea that song was that old!

Biggest Hate-That-Turned-to-Love: Gwar. I had no idea what a competent and funny group they are. Essentially Gwar do well what Green Jellÿ do terribly.

Coolest inclusions: The songs by Riot, Thin Lizzy, Anvil, Holocaust, Demon Flight, and Spock's Beard; also the strong highlighting of Galactic Cowboys' "Feel the Rage".

Uncoolest inclusion: Crisis

Funniest inclusion: Gwar "Slaughterrama" and Anvil "Mad Dog" video

Sexiest inclusion: Bitch "Live for the Whip" live (on the DVD); nothing's really going on but you have to concentrate to keep your mind from going crazy.

Most famous group on the comp: Deep Purple ("Stormbringer!")

Least famous group on the comp: Demon Flight

Favorite lady on the compilation: Betsy Bitch (of course) <3 <3

Least favorite lady on the compilation: Karyn Crisis

Biggest Mystery: Princess Pang. Whatever happened to their cute lead singer Jeni Foster?

Inclusion most likely to drive up the price of the box set: the original "Hit the Lights" by Metallica

First thing I listened to when I got the box: Bitch "Infatuation" (one of the bonus tracks)

Favorite thing about the box: That I have it

Least favorite thing about the box: That Crisis is on it and that it's peppered with so much "Woof, woof, woof, I want my bone, I want my bone, grrr..." stuff.

Metallica "Hit the Lights" from the original first pressing of Metal Massacre I (1982)

Brian Slagel: What else can be said? This is the beginning of a true legend in music. Not the greatest recording, but you can hear the sheer brilliance. This version is the original that was only on the first pressing of vinyl.

Malice "Captive of Light" from Metal Massacre I (1982)

A classic metal track, an early favorite of mine as well.

Bitch "Live for the Whip" (studio version) from Damnation Alley (1982)

One of the first songs that got us some attention. Betsy was such a great front person. Funny how the word "Bitch" was a problem back then.

Demon Flight "Search and Destroy" from Demon Flight (1982)

A great track by some friends of mine who started a band just for fun. They were studio guys but did lots of work with the likes of Frank Zappa. Very raw metal.

Armored Saint "Lesson Well Learned" from Metal Massacre II (1983)

One of the greatest metal bands of all time in my opinion. Here is the track that started it all for them.

Warlord "Child of the Damned" from Deliver Us (1983)

Another true classic. Warlord still to this day is a big influence on so many bands.

Bitch "Be My Slave" from Be My Slave (1983)

We recorded this album, as we did most of the time, on a shoe string budget of under $3,000. Pretty raw sound, but I just love this track. Bitch was so underrated as a band, they could really rock, and Betsy was a true pioneer of women in rock.

Slayer "Die By the Sword" from Show No Mercy (1983)

What can I say? These guys are legends. I knew from the time was finished this album it would be the biggest Metal Blade would have at the time. Even after recording it, I listened to it every day for month. A true classic.

Trouble "The Tempter" from Pslam 9 (1984)

One of the heaviest songs ever I think. A great band and a classic album. That riff is just awesome.

Witchkiller "The Day of the Saxon" from the album Day of the Saxons (1984)

Still one of my faves of the early days. Great song by these Canadian metal monsters. Has been covered a few times too...who knew?

Lizzy Borden "Give 'Em the Axe" from Give 'Em the Axe (1984)

One of the greats, a great early song from Lizzy.

Slayer "Chemical Warfare" from Haunting the Chapel (1984)

I could not believe how amazing this song was when I first heard it. The EP really established the band as one of the best metal bands of all time.

Voivod "Blower" from War and Pain (1984)

They could not speak much English, but Voivod packed a huge punch. This early song is so cool!

Fates Warning "Damnation" from Night on Brocken (1984)

I still listen to this song all the time. One of my all time faves from Fates. John Arch had such an amazing voice.

Omen "Deathrider" from Battle Cry (1984)

Medieval metal at its finest. These LA guys had a great Euro metal sound.

Lizzy Borden "American Metal" from Love Your to Pieces (1985)

One of the best metal anthems, truly a classic.

Corrosion of Conformity "Animosity" from Animosity (1985)

When we started our punk label [subsidiary Death Records], these guys wrethe first signing. A great mixture of punk and metal. Pure classic.

Nasty Savage "Fear Beyond the Vision" from Nasty Savage (1985)

The great Nasty Ronnie in his prime!

Slayer "Hell Awaits" from Hell Awaits (1985)

Again, what can be said? One of the greatest metal songs ever by the masters!

Omen "Ruby Eyes (of the Serpent)" from Warning of Danger (1985)

I love this song. Not one of their most known songs, but one of my faves.

Trouble "Gideon" from The Skull (1985)

Another classic from Trouble. We recorded this at someone's house!

Sound Barrier "Gladiator" from Speed of Light (1986)

This band should have been huge. Some classic LA metal from the 80's. Great musicians too!

Cirith Ungol "One Foot in Hell" from One Foot in Hell (1986)

These guys were so heavy and Tim had a unique voice. They still have die hard fans to this day.

Flotsam and Jetsam "Hammerhead" from Doomsday for the Deceiver (1986)

The great Jason Newsted's album debut. He went on to a career with another great band too...

Hallow's Eve "Lethal Tendencies" from Death and Insanity (1986)

This song was in two movies, River's Edge and one with Melanie Griffith!

Lizzy Borden "Notorious" from Menace to Society (1986)

Hail Caesar, Lizzy gets metal!

Omen "Holy Martyr" from The Curse (1986)

One of the best riffs I have head, just crushing!

Fates Warning "Guardian" from Awaken the Guardian (1986)

One of the truly classic and legendary songs by Fates.

Trouble "The Misery Shows, Act I" from Run to the Light (1987)

More heaviness!

Lizzy Borden "Lord of the Flies" from the album Visual Lies (1987)

An amazing song on this Max Norman-produced classic!

Diamond Head "The Prince" from the album Behold the Beginning... (1987)
(a remixed version of the 1980 album Lightning to the Nations)

Of course they have influenced many and this track is my fave from them.

Sacred Reich "Death Squad" from Ignorance (1987)

Phoenix had a great metal scene in the 80's and of course Sacred was one of the best!

Candlemass "At the Gallow's End" from Nightfall (1987)

The originators of doom metal at their finest!

Candlemass "Dark Are the Veils Of Death" from Nightfall (1987)

This has to be one of the heaviest riffs ever, just awesome.

Hallow's Eve "Speed Freak" from Monument (1988)

A great speed metal song from those Atlanta thrashers. Apparently this is how they drove on tour.

Fates Warning "Quietus" from No Exit (1988)

Taken from the epic side 2 of this great album.

Heretic "Evil for Evil" from Breaking Point (1988)

Another great track from an LA metal band. The singer Mike Howe went on to Metal Church.

Anvil "Blood on the Ice" from Pound for Pound (1988)

They wrote this song after I told them about my love for the greatest sport on earth, hockey!

Sacred Reich "Surf Nicaragua" from Surf Nicaragua (1988)

Truly one of the great metal songs!

Helstar "Bitter End" from Distant Thunder (1988)

More classic stuff from these guys from Houston. The guitarist's grandmother made the best quesadillas!

Anvil "Mothra" from Live in Concert: Past and Present (1989)

Anvil at their finest, live!

Lizzy Borden "Sins of the Flesh" from Master of Disguise (1989)

Lizzy's first real solo album had a lot of different stuff on it. I chose one of the heavier tracks.

Fates Warning "Nothing Left to Say" from Perfect Symmetry (1989)

One of the best live songs ever, this is the original studio version, which also rocks.

Princess Pang "South St. Kids" from Princess Pang (1989)

Too far ahead of their time; had they come out 5 years later they could have been huge. Managed now by the famous Andy Gould.

DRI "Enemy Within" from Thrashzone (1989)

One of the first bands to [do] crossover [i.e. punk/metal fusion] and this one proves they did it best.

GWAR "Slaughterama" from Scumdogs of the Universe (1990)

Classic song from the first album.

Cannibal Corpse "A Skull Full of Maggots" from Eaten Back to Life (1990)

When I got their demo and saw this song title, I knew I had to sign them.

Legs Diamond "Stage Fright" from Town Bad Girl (1990)

I was a huge fan when their debut album came out in the 70's and we redid this track for their album on Metal Blade.

Lethal "Immune" from Programmed (1990)

Terrific prog metal.

Ken Baumgartner "Bomber" from Ken Baumgartner (1990)

I am a huge hockey fan and it was a dream to do a record with an actual NHL player. Ken was great and this record as for charity, some of the most fun we had!

Candlemass "Well of Souls" from Live (1990)

The best doom metal band of all time!

Deep Purple "Stormbringer" from the 1990 reissue of Stormbringer (1974)

Another highlight was being able to reissue these Deep Purple CD's.

Junk Monkeys "I Don't Mind" from 5 Star Fling (1991)

Another band who should have been huge. Just a few years ahead of their time as well. A bit different for us, but I loved the band.

Starz "Detroit Girls" from the 1991 reissue of Starz (1976)

I was always a huge Starz fan and it was so great to finally get these great records reissued. It was also great to meet the band and work with them. They should have been huge!

Starz "Violation" from the 1991 reissue of Violation (1977)

Another classic! Tremendous metal from the 70's.

Armored Saint "Reign of Fire" from the album Symbol of Salvation (1991)

This record was one of the [ones I am most] proud of. Working with these guys who have friends of mine at this point in time was great. We really felt the presence of Dave Prichard in the studio and it made a historic record.

Y&T "Hurricane" from Yesterday and Today: Live (1991)

One of my all time favorite bands doing one of my all time favorite songs!

Cannibal Corpse "Covered with Sores" from Butchered at Birth (1991)

What can you say, Cannibal at their bestial best!

Earl Slick "Surfer Junkie Dude" from In Your Face (1991)

One of the greatest guitar players ever! It was so great to work with him, a true legend!

A little interjection here. You'll notice that up to this point the years were getting covered in two-year increments, and then suddenly five years get covered at once. This was of course due to the sudden rise of grunge and alternative in the early 1990's, accompanied by a full-on pop culture backlash against metal. The years 1994 to 1996 in particular were very rough on metal and metal bands. Not only did a lot of metal bands' careers end suddenly, it looked like they were going to be the world's goats for the rest of their lives.

It turned out the "alternative" to metal and Eighties music was self-obsessed pity parties, pretentious amateurism, non-creative recklessness, and some of the blandest frat-boy party music ever created. In other words, the "alternative" ended up being worse than what it sought to replace. Grunge and alternative had largely worn out their welcome by 1997, but it took metal nearly a dozen years to overcome the gag reflex that had developed against it.

Amazingly, Metal Blade survived through this entire locust period. It was some reissue programs, metal's popularity in Europe, and the continued interest in extreme metal like Cannibal Corpse and progressive metal like King's X and Savatage that kept them afloat. You'd never know metal was supposed to be "dead" when you listen to this disc.


Fates Warning "Life in Still Water" from Parallels (1991)

While they were writing the album in Toronto I told Jim he had to more heavy songs. This was the next one he wrote.

Gwar "Gor Gor" from the album America Must Be Destroyed (1992)

If you have ever seen Gwar live (and if you haven't you're really missing out!), "Gor Gor" is the height of every show!

Cannibal Corpse "Hammer Smashed Face" from Tomb of the Mutilated (1992)

More from the best death metal band ever.

Junk Monkeys "I Got Fear" from Bliss (1992)

Again, a really underrated band; I just love this song.

Riot "Warrior" from the 1993 reissue of Rock City (1977)

Such a pleasure to release the old Riot classics! I think I have played this song on my radio shows many times!

Thin Lizzy "Angel of Death" from the 1993 reissue of Renegade (1981)

Along with Iron Maiden, my all-time favorite band. We were able to remaster and rerelease 5 Thin Lizzy albums. It was thrilling to be in the studio with these tapes and have such great feedback on the work we did.

Sacrifice "Apocalypse Inside" from Apocalypse Inside (1993)

Great Canadian metal. So many bands from today were influenced by these guys.

Mercyful Fate "The Bell Witch" from In the Shadows (1994)

A classic remake of the original for the first Mercyful Fate album we did.

X-Cops "Welcome to New Jersey" from You Have the Right to Remain Silent (1995)

This is a side project of the guys in Gwar. So heavy and the lyrics are so hilarious!

Six Feet Under "Lycanthropy" from Haunted (1995)

Love the double bass on this one. Chris really invented some new stuff with this one.

Gwar "Crush Kill Destroy" from Ragnarock (1995)

I think the title sums it up best.

Savatage "Holocaust" from the 1995 reissue of the album Sirens (1985)

We have just remastered these and added lots of cool stuff (actually the band did!). Another one of my all time faves and it is an honor to put these records out.

Armored Saint "Can U Deliver" from the 1995 reissue of the album March of the Saint (1984)

From their debut album. Always a great live song!

Armored Saint "For the Sake of Heaviness" from the 1995 reissue of the album Delirious Nomad (1985)

Originally the record company (and the band) shortened the title to just "For the Sake". I had to right the wrong when we did the reissues and we had to restore the original title. It's metal!

Armored Saint "Book of Blood" from the 1995 reissue of the album Rising Fear (1987)

This song is in my top 10 songs of all time. So crushing and breathtaking. John Bush continues his stake as one of the best metal singers of all time on this one.

Galactic Cowboys "Feel the Rage" from Machine Fish (1996)

It was such a pleasure to work with these guys. I was a huge fan of their first two records. They had actually broken up before we signed them. I convinced them to keep going and I'm glad I did.

Sacred Reich "Power of the Written Word" from Heal (1996)

Great comeback record for these Phoenix natives.

Cannibal Corpse "Mummified in Barbed Wire" from Vile (1996)

They just keep making great music!

Mercyful Fate "Into the Unknown" from Into the Unknown (1996)

This song still sends shivers up my spine. The "point my finger at you" segment is just awesome! Love it!

King Diamond "Trick of Treat" from The Graveyard (1996)

King Diamond is one of the best storytellers in rock. Great stuff and I love the riff!

Six Feet Under "Insect" from Alive and Dead (1996)

We went to Miami to record this EP and this song is just so heavy. One of the first slow death metal songs.

Grip Inc. "War Between One" Nemesis (1997)

For my money Dave Lombardo [Slayer] is the best drummer ever. Just listen to him on this song!

Gwar "Penguin Attack" from Carnival of Chaos (1997)

More greatness for Gwar. Maybe the Pittsburgh Penguins could use this song!

Fates Warning "A Pleasant Shade of Gray, Part 7" from A Pleasant Shade of Gray (1997)

This concept album by Fates is just so incredible. I wish I could put the whole thing on here, but here is a taste.

Flotsam and Jetsam "High Noon" from High (1997)

[This] comeback for Flotsam solidified their place in metal history.

Galactic Cowboys "Tomorrow" from The Horse That Bud Bought (1997)

Such a great song; these guys write some amazing stuff.

Six Feet Under "Revenge of the Zombie" from Warpath (1997)

Man that riff is so killer, and Barnes does his best here too. A concert fave.

Crisis "Mechanical Man" from The Hollowing (1997)

Another band who was ahead of their time. Karyn is truly a great talent.

God Dethroned "The Art of Immolation" from The Grind Grimoire (1997)

From Holland comes the next wave of death metal. Check this out!

Riot "Liberty" from Inishmore (1998)

The still have it after all these years. The latest lineup is just so great.

Amon Amarth "Ride for Vengeance" from Once Sent from the Golden Hall (1998)

I think I love every band from Sweden, but these guys are one of my faves.

King Diamond "Voodoo" from Voodoo (1998)

Every King Diamond record just gets better and better...

Ty Tabor "Hollow Eyes" from Moonflower Lane (1998)

One of the great things about working with King's X is we get to do their solo stuff too. A great song from Ty's first solo album.

Cannibal Corpse "Sentenced to Burn" from Gallery of Suicide (1998)

Just another death metal classic from them.

Mercyful Fate "Crossroads" from Dead Again (1998)

I think Fate is one of the heaviest bands ever.

Poundhound "Friends" from Massive Grooves... (1998)

Doug Pinnick's [King's X] haunting song. Another one that gives me goose bumps.

Galactic Cowboys "Nothing to Say" from At the End of the Day (1998)

I just love this song.

Fates Warning "Eleventh Hour" from Still Life (live) (1998)

This one has that special feeling. Live it is just incredible.

King's X "Higher Than God" from Tape Head (1998)

Every King's X record we do, I am just thankful to keep working with them. So underrated by the public, but ask the Pantera guys about them!

Bolt Thrower "No Guts No Glory" from Mercenary (1998)

Michael Trengert of Metal Blade Europe signed them, and that was a great idea!

Riot "Swords and Tequila" from the 1999 reissue of Fire Down Under (1981)

One of the greatest metal songs from one of the greatest metal albums. Period.

Six Feet Under "Feasting On the Blood of the Insane" from Maximum Violence (1999)

We were in rehearsals for the album and Steve Swanson played the opening riff for this. I just said, "Whoa, do that again!" The Greg Gall adds the drum apart and 5 minutes later the song is almost done. This one really gets you going.

Riot "Sons of Society" from Sons of Society (1999)

What a voice! What a song!

Engine "Alone" from Engine (1999)

Ray Alder's [Fates Warning] edgy first album from his Engine project.

Armored Saint "The Pillar" from Revelation (2000)

Not only are these guys a great band, but some of my best friends. It's just so great to continue to work with them and get this great music too!

Vader "Wings" from Litany (2000)

I was so happy to get to work with these guys. Again I was a big fan before and an even bigger one now.

King's X "Marsh Mellow Friends" from Please Come Home...Mr. Bulbous (2000)

What can I say, another brilliant track by another brilliant band.

The Crown "Death Explosion" from Deathrace King (2000)

The latest trend in metal is here. These Swedes just crush!

King Diamond "The Trees Have Eyes" from House of God (2000)

So heavy, so King, I love it!!!!

Fates Warning "One" from Disconnected (2000)

I just marvel at how Jim Mattheos just keeps writing such great music.

Cannibal Corpse "Stripped, Raped, and Strangled" from The Bleeding (2000)

One of the classic Cannibal songs!

Manowar "Manowar" from the 2001 reissue of Battle Hymns (1982)

I remember when this album first came out, I reviewed it for the [New Heavy Metal Revue]. I was blown away at how great it was. Now 20 years later to be able to worhj with the band and have them go back and repackage and remaster this all-time classic is just an incredible experience.

Lizzy Borden "There Will Be Blood Tonight" from Deal With the Devil (2000)

Lizzy's comeback shows he still has it!

Supershine "Take Me Away" from Supershine (2000)

A great collaboration [between] Doug Pinnick [from King's X] and Bruce Franklin from Trouble. If we could only get them to tour...

Spock's Beard "Revelation" from V (2000)

I always try to do some different things and Spock's is truly an awesome band. Metal heads, prog heads and music lovers all love this band and so do I.

Holocaust "Heavy Metal Mania" from the 2000 reissue of The Nightcomers (1981)

When I first started out I was of course so influenced by the NWOBHM [New Wave of British Heavy Metal]. It is always so much fun to release a lot of this stuff. This was one of my early faves from back then.

Catastrophic "Balancing the Furies" from The Cleansing (2001)

From Trevor you can hear all the talent he had in Obituary.

Amon Amarth "Bastards of a Dying Breed" from The Crusher (2001)

More incredible Swedish metal!

Armored Saint "Real Swagger" from Nod to the Old School (2001)

These guys just continue to write great songs. John Bush has to be one of the best singers ever in my book.

Six Feet Under "The Murderers" from True Carnage (2001)

Yet another great song from Chris and company.

King's X "False Alarm" from Manic Moonlight (2001)

Classic King's X with such a great hook.

Brainstorm "Meet Me in the Dark" from Metus Mortis (2001)

The new wave of power metal. This stuff is huge in Europe and coming to the USA.

Gwar "Bloody Mary" from Violence Has Arrived (2001)

Gwar's heaviest in some time.

King Diamond "The Storm" from Abigail II: The Revenge (2002)

I wish I did not have to wait this long for Abigail 2, but it was well worth it!

Cannibal Corpse "Pit of Zombies" from Gore Obsessed

What else can I say about Cannibal? Another song I love!

The Crown "Crowned in Terror" from Crowned in Terror (2002)

These guys are leading the next wave of death metal. Look out!

Beyond the Embrace "Mourning in Magenta" from Against the Elements (2002)

These guys come from Massachusetts and have a cool new sound.

Engine "Realize" from Superholic (2002)

My good friend Ray [Adler, Fates Warning] has a real winner with this band! This riff is so heavy.

Chinchilla "War Machine" from The Last Millennium (2002)

Great new [power] metal from Europe!

Manowar "Warriors of the World United" from Warriors of the World (2002)

The perfect metal anthem for the new millennium.

Manowar "House of Death" from Warriors of the World (2002)

I had to use this one because it is heavier than hell and they dedicated it to me on the album (thanks guys!)

________



Bonus Tracks:

(no comments from Brian on these; sorry)

Cannibal Corpse "Sacrifice"
1998 - previously released only in Japan

Six Feet Under "War is Coming" (live)
1999 - previously unreleased

Gwar "Have You Seen Me?" (demo version)
1991 - previously unreleased

Armored Saint "Shadows of My Face"
1989 - previously unreleased

King's X "Groove Machine" (live)
1999 - released only as a B-side

Lizzy Borden "Zanzibar" (demo version)
1993 - previously released

Fates Warning "In Trance"
1998 - previously released only in Japan
(Scorpions cover recorded in the studio and added as a Japanese-only bonus track to the 1998 live album Still Life)

Mercyful Fate "The Ripper"
1996 - originally on Judas Priest tribute

Flotsam and Jetsam "Mr. Ridiculous"
1999 - previously unreleased

Bitch "Infatuation"
1999 - previously unreleased

Vehemence "I Take Your Life"
2000 - from the album The Thoughts from Which I Hide (rare)

Armored Saint "No Reason to Live" live
1984

Bitch "Live For the Whip" live
1983

Omen "The Axeman" live
1984

Lizzy Borden "American Metal/Godiva" live
1986 (recorded at The Roxy, Los Angeles)

Nasty Savage "Gladiator" live
1988

Sacred Reich "Surf Nicaragua" live
1990

Cannibal Corpse "Unleashing the Bloodthirsty" live
2001 - from the DVD Maximum Video

Armored Saint "Reign of Fire" live
2000

King's X "Smudge" music video
2000

Gwar "Sick of You" music video
1990 - from the DVD Live From Antarctica

Cannibal Corpse "Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead" music video
1994

Candlemass "Mirror Mirror" live
1989

DRI "Suit and Tie Guy" music video
1988

Trouble "Run to the Light" music video
1987

Anvil "Mad Dog" music video
1987

Lethal "Immune" music video
1991

Sacrifice "Soldiers of Misfortune" music video
1991

Mercyful Fate "Egypt" music video
1993

Six Feet Under "Manipulation" music video
1997

Fates Warning "Through Different Eyes" music video
1989

Galactic Cowboys "Feel the Rage" music video
1996

King's X "Fade" music video
1998