Metal Blade Records

Independent heavy metal label started in Los Angeles, CA on February 1, 1982 by Brian Slagel. A German office was opened in 1995.

Known for launching the careers of a number of popular metal bands including Metallica, Slayer, Cannibal Corpse, and many others.
Label Code: LC 06705 / LC 6705
US Label variants:

1982 to 1983
"Tan labels and axe with blood stains"
eg Slayer – Show No Mercy

Exception 1: "Black labels" available only on Metal Massacre compilation.
eg Metal Massacre

Exception 2: "Custom tan labels"
eg Bitch (2) – Damnation Alley

1984 to 1984
"Silver labels and axe with blood stains" were used only in 1984, pressings with this labels and 1982-1983 dates are actually 1984.
eg Witchkiller – Day Of The Saxons
Re-used in the Metal Blade Records Originals 2016 Slayer reissues.
eg Slayer - Show No Mercy

Exception: "Non 1984" some releases were sold in 1987, probably an old stock distributed in new sleeves.
eg Slayer – Haunting The Chapel

1985 to mid-1986
"White labels with chain, different axe and blood drops"
eg Celtic Frost – Morbid Tales

1985 to 1987
"White labels with chain, different axe and blood drops" + Combat as second label.
eg Hallows Eve – Tales Of Terror

Exception: "White labels without chain, different axe and blood drops" + Combat as second label.
eg Trouble (5) – The Skull

mid-1986 to early-1987
"White labels with chain, with old axe and blood drops and underlined logo"
eg Slayer – Live Undead

1987 to 1988
"Black - red labels" + Enigma (4) as second label.
eg Lizzy Borden – Terror Rising

1988 to early-90s
"Razor labels"
eg Viking – Do Or Die