In 1982, Metal Blade Records put out its first release: Metal Massacre, a compilation album that included Metallica, Ratt, and many other influential artists. Now, Metal Blade will be releasing Metal Massacre 14 on April 8th - and continuing the legacy of the first album - the CD/LP/digital formats will once again contain a sampling of contemporary heavy metal. To pre-order your copy, head here. Clips of each track are streaming below.

Primordial's Alan Averill - who compiled the Metal Massacre 14 track-listing - comments: "Metal Massacre is an institution that has been dormant for far too long. It served as a vital first step for many bands who are far too numerous to mention back in the early 80s. For fans, it was often the first time engaging with many of these acts, some of whom went on to become household names-- some of course didn't, but the rough and ready underground character of Metal Massacre is what set it apart from other compilations back in the day.

“Those old recordings captured the vitality and energy of the time: all analog hiss, rattling drums, roaring bass and feed-backing solos...No pro tools compression, cut and paste editing or triggered drums back then. You set the tape rolling and then played for your life. It was in this spirit that I went about compiling a new Metal Massacre, with an old school mindset.

“Not the most modern sounding, but the bands that capture a more DIY underground spirit that resonates with what Metal Massacre once represented.
Of course the musical climate is different, and you probably won't be listening to the next Metallica, but what is important is that this spirit does not die and that Metal Blade still supports this underground, underdog ethos. So I give you Metal Massacre! Back from the dead! Here's to the next one!"

Metal Massacre 14 LP tracklisting:

Side A
Metalian - "The Traveler"
Noctum - "Until Then Until The End"
Gatekeeper - "Bell Of Tarantia"
Assassin's Blade - "The Demented Force"
Cobra - "Denim Attack"

Side B
Stone Dagger - "The Siege Of Jerusalem"
Crypt Sermon - "Will Of The Ancient Call"
Savage Master - "The Ripper In Black"
Outcast - "No Tomorrow"
Corsair - "Brothers"

Metal Massacre 14 CD tracklisting:

Metalian - "The Traveler"
Noctum - "Until Then Until The End"
Gatekeeper - "Bell Of Tarantia"
Assassin's Blade - "The Demented Force"
Cobra - "Denim Attack"
Stone Dagger - "The Siege Of Jerusalem"
Crypt Sermon - "Will Of The Ancient Call"
Savage Master - "The Ripper In Black"
Outcast - "No Tomorrow"
Corsair - "Brothers"
Walpyrgus - "Cold Cold Ground" (Bonus)
Visigoth - "Final Spell" (Bonus)
Ravencult - "Into Depths" (Bonus)

Metal Massacre 14 digital tracklisting:

Metalian - "The Traveler"
Noctum - "Until Then Until The End"
Gatekeeper - "Bell Of Tarantia"
Assassin's Blade - "The Demented Force"
Cobra - "Denim Attack"
Stone Dagger - "The Siege Of Jerusalem"
Crypt Sermon - "Will Of The Ancient Call"
Savage Master - "The Ripper In Black"
Outcast - "No Tomorrow"
Corsair - "Brothers"
Walpyrgus - "Cold Cold Ground" (Bonus)
Visigoth - "Final Spell" (Bonus)
Ravencult - "Into Depths" (Bonus)