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Metal Blade Records announces 40th anniversary reissue featuring then-unsigned Metallica

By Josh Johnson Feb 24, 2022 | 5:01 PM


Metal Blade Records

Long-running label Metal Blade Records is turning 40, and its celebrating with a bit of Metallica history.

Metal Blade has announced a vinyl reissue its debut release, a 1982 compilation titled Metal Massacre Volume One, due out April 22.

Metal Massacre Volume One was originally released to showcase unsigned metal bands in the Los Angeles area, including a very young Metallica. The future Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ contribution was “Hit the Lights,” notably the first song James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich wrote together.

The compilation also features the early Ratt tune “Tell the World,” as well as songs by Avatar, Malice, Pandemonium and other bands.

You can pre-order your reissue of Metal Massacre Volume One, which hasn’t been available on vinyl since 1984, now via MetalBlade.com. A special edition clear-vinyl variant will be released exclusively via Metallica.com.

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