Shrapnel Records
Encyclopedia
Shrapnel Records is a guitar
-oriented record label
started in 1980 by record producer Mike Varney
. Guitarist Marty Friedman
(ex-Megadeth
, ex-Cacophony), one of the label's most successful artists, first appeared on the album Unsung Guitar Heroes II in 1980 with the band Vixen. Vixen would later change their name to Hawaii
and release the album One Nation Underground
for Shrapnel. In 1981, a friend gave Mike Varney a tape featuring a 17-year-old Swedish guitarist named Yngwie Malmsteen. A year later, Malmsteen wrote to the label stating that he wanted to export his music to America. Varney, who started writing a column called "Spotlight" for Guitar Player
magazine in 1982, featured Malmsteen in his February 1983 column. The record executive flew Yngwie to California and set him up with vocalist Ron Keel
's new band called Steeler
. Steeler's self-titled album became a best selling release for Shrapnel Records.
The Shrapnel Records label and a growing worldwide interest in virtuoso "neoclassical-fusion" guitar playing helped launch the careers of dozens of other technically adept guitarists such as David T. Chastain
, Vinnie Moore
, Tony MacAlpine
, Paul Gilbert
, Bruce Bouillet
, Joey Tafolla
, Jason Becker
, Michelle Meldrum
and Nicole Couch
(Phantom Blue
), Greg Howe
, Richie Kotzen
and the aforementioned Marty Friedman. In the 1990s, established players such as George Lynch
(Lynch Mob
, Dokken
) and Michael Schenker
(MSG
, Scorpions
) recorded albums for the label. Today, Shrapnel Records continues to provide a platform for exceptional hard rock
, shred
, progressive metal
and heavy metal
guitarists. Recent signings include: Marc Rizzo
from Soulfly
, John 5 of Marilyn Manson
fame and the melodic speed-metal band TimeLord which features the guitar team of Matt Aub
and Aaron Richert. Shrapnel Records continues to be the home of the "heavy metal guitar hero."
In the 1990s Mike Varney started the Tone Center Records
and Blues Bureau International
sublabels to promote fusion
and blues
respectively.
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
-oriented record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
started in 1980 by record producer Mike Varney
Mike Varney
Mike Varney is an American musician, record producer, music publisher and impresario. He is the founder of the Shrapnel Label Group, which includes Shrapnel Records, Tone Center Records and Blues Bureau International. He also has a 50% stake in Magna Carta Records, a New York-based label...
. Guitarist Marty Friedman
Marty Friedman (guitarist)
Marty Friedman is a guitarist, well known for his tenure as the lead/rhythm guitarist for thrash metal band Megadeth, which lasted almost a decade...
(ex-Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, ex-Cacophony), one of the label's most successful artists, first appeared on the album Unsung Guitar Heroes II in 1980 with the band Vixen. Vixen would later change their name to Hawaii
Hawaii (band)
Hawaii was a heavy metal band formed in 1982 by guitarist Marty Friedman, originally formed as "Vixen" in 1981. Hawaii was one of the two notable heavy metal bands from Honolulu, Hawaii, the other being Sacred Rite...
and release the album One Nation Underground
One Nation Underground (Hawaii album)
One Nation Underground is the title of the first studio album released by Hawaii, a speed metal band from the United States.-Track listing:# "Living in Sin" – 3:15# "Silent Nightmare" – 3:01# "One Nation Underground" – 4:03# "You're Gonna Burn" – 4:05...
for Shrapnel. In 1981, a friend gave Mike Varney a tape featuring a 17-year-old Swedish guitarist named Yngwie Malmsteen. A year later, Malmsteen wrote to the label stating that he wanted to export his music to America. Varney, who started writing a column called "Spotlight" for Guitar Player
Guitar Player
Guitar Player is a popular magazine for guitarists founded in 1967. It contains articles, interviews, reviews and lessons of an eclectic collection of artists, genres and products. It has been in print since the late 1960s and during the 1980s, under editor Tom Wheeler, the publication was...
magazine in 1982, featured Malmsteen in his February 1983 column. The record executive flew Yngwie to California and set him up with vocalist Ron Keel
Ron Keel
Ron Keel is a Heavy metal vocalist and guitarist for a number of bands from the 1980s to the modern day, including the glam metal band Keel.-Biography:...
's new band called Steeler
Steeler
Steeler was an early 1980s American heavy metal band from Nashville. Band members included: Ron Keel on vocals and guitar, Michael Dunigan on lead guitar, Bobby Eva on drums and Tim Morrison on bass. In 1982, they released the single Cold Day in Hell....
. Steeler's self-titled album became a best selling release for Shrapnel Records.
The Shrapnel Records label and a growing worldwide interest in virtuoso "neoclassical-fusion" guitar playing helped launch the careers of dozens of other technically adept guitarists such as David T. Chastain
David T. Chastain
David T. Chastain is an American guitarist and owner of and .Chastain is a metal guitarist who emerged in the mid-'80s along with a wave of other neo-classical guitarists. He has released about 50 recordings under multiple names, including David T...
, Vinnie Moore
Vinnie Moore
Vinnie Moore is a guitarist and a member of the English hard rock band UFO. Along with Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, and others, Moore is known as one of the most influential guitarists to emerge out of the shredder boom in the mid 1980s.-Biography:Moore was born in New Castle, Delaware...
, Tony MacAlpine
Tony MacAlpine
Tony Jeff MacAlpine is an American guitarist and keyboardist. Having released ten studio albums over a career spanning more than two decades, he is best known as an instrumental solo guitarist, although he has worked with many different bands and musicians in the form of guest appearances and...
, Paul Gilbert
Paul Gilbert
Paul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
, Bruce Bouillet
Bruce Bouillet
Bruce "Einstein" Bouillet is a guitarist who has played in the bands Racer X, The Scream, DC-10, and Epidemic.-Racer X:Bouillet played on Racer X's Second Heat, Live Extreme - Vol.I, and Live Extreme - Vol. II. After leaving the band, he joined with former Angora singer John Corabi, and his former...
, Joey Tafolla
Joey Tafolla
Joey Tafolla is an American guitarist. Initially a member of the heavy metal band Jag Panzer from 1984 to 1985, he joined Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records label soon after; releasing his debut album Out of the Sun in 1987, alongside the releases of other shred players such as Marty Friedman, Jason...
, Jason Becker
Jason Becker
Jason Eli Becker is an American virtuoso neo-classical metal guitarist and composer. At the age of 16, he became part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. They released Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988...
, Michelle Meldrum
Michelle Meldrum
Michelle Meldrum-Norum was an American hard rock guitarist known for being a member of the bands Phantom Blue and Meldrum.-Biography:...
and Nicole Couch
Nicole Couch
Nicole Couch is a female American musician and songwriter, and founding member of the all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue.-Biography:Nicole Couch was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in rural Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee....
(Phantom Blue
Phantom blue
Phantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
), Greg Howe
Greg Howe
Gregory "Greg" Howe is an American guitarist and composer. As an active musician for nearly thirty years, he has released nine studio albums in addition to collaborating with a wide variety of artists.-Recording career:...
, Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen
Richie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.At a young age, Richie Kotzen was taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by the band KISS to learn the electric guitar...
and the aforementioned Marty Friedman. In the 1990s, established players such as George Lynch
George Lynch (musician)
George Lynch is a hard rock/heavy metal guitarist best known as a member of the band Dokken, his own bands Lynch Mob and Souls of We.-Pre Dokken:...
(Lynch Mob
Lynch Mob (band)
Lynch Mob is an American band featuring former Dokken guitarist George Lynch, who has been the band's only permanent member. The rest of the original band which featured Oni Logan, Anthony Esposito and Mick Brown have come and gone, and in some cases, come back.-1989 Formation:Lynch Mob was formed...
, Dokken
Dokken
Dokken is an American heavy metal and hard rock band formed in 1978. They split up in 1989 but reformed four years later. The group accumulated numerous charting singles and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide...
) and Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker is a German rock guitarist, best known for his tenure in UFO, in addition to his solo band. He first rose to fame as a founding member of the Scorpions, then achieved fame in the mid 1970s as the lead guitar player for UFO. Since leaving UFO in 1978, he has been leading the...
(MSG
Michael Schenker Group
The Michael Schenker Group is a guitar-oriented hard rock band formed in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist, Michael Schenker. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1992. After that, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.The...
, Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
) recorded albums for the label. Today, Shrapnel Records continues to provide a platform for exceptional hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
, shred
Neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by classical music. It refers to a very technical performanceExact quote from the french text: "L'arrivée du néoclassique remet au goût du jour la virtuosité et le travail de l'instrument", « Les secrets du metal-...
, progressive metal
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
and heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
guitarists. Recent signings include: Marc Rizzo
Marc Rizzo
Marc Rizzo is the lead guitarist of American metal band Soulfly and formerly of Ill Niño. He has featured on four Soulfly albums to date: Prophecy, Dark Ages, Conquer, and Omen. He has also released three solo instrumental albums; Colossal Myopia, The Ultimate Devotion, and Legionnaire...
from Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
, John 5 of Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
fame and the melodic speed-metal band TimeLord which features the guitar team of Matt Aub
Matt Aub
Matt Aub is the guitarist/vocalist from the American speed-metal band TimeLord. TimeLord is signed to the highly prestigious "Guitar Hero" label Shrapnel Records...
and Aaron Richert. Shrapnel Records continues to be the home of the "heavy metal guitar hero."
In the 1990s Mike Varney started the Tone Center Records
Tone Center Records
Tone Center Records is an independent record label owned by music industry veteran Mike Varney, dedicated to recording high level jazz, jazz/rock, and fusion guitar. It is a member of The Shrapnel Label Group, along with Shrapnel Records and Blues Bureau International...
and Blues Bureau International
Blues Bureau International
Blues Bureau International is a guitar oriented, blues, blues guitar and blues rock record label.Blues Bureau is a member of Mike Varney's Shrapnel Label Group, which also includes Shrapnel Records, another guitar oriented label which features shred guitar, hard rock, metal and progressive metal,...
sublabels to promote fusion
Fusion (music)
A fusion genre is music that combines two or more styles. For example, rock and roll originally developed as a fusion of blues, gospel and country music. The main characteristics of fusion genres are variations in tempo, rhythm, i a sometimes the use of long musical "journeys" that can be divided...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
respectively.
Notable Shrapnel Records Releases
- (SH-1006) Unsung Guitar Heroes II (feat. Michael "Angelo" Batio and Marty Friedman)
- (SH-1007) SteelerSteelerSteeler was an early 1980s American heavy metal band from Nashville. Band members included: Ron Keel on vocals and guitar, Michael Dunigan on lead guitar, Bobby Eva on drums and Tim Morrison on bass. In 1982, they released the single Cold Day in Hell....
, SteelerSteeler (American album)Steeler is an album by the band of the same name. It was largely recorded at Prairie Sun Studios in Cotati, California, about fifty miles north of San Francisco. It was the only album released by the band until a 2005 compilation album released by Ron Keel. After the album was released the band...
(feat. Yngwie Malmsteen) - (SH-1009) HawaiiHawaii (band)Hawaii was a heavy metal band formed in 1982 by guitarist Marty Friedman, originally formed as "Vixen" in 1981. Hawaii was one of the two notable heavy metal bands from Honolulu, Hawaii, the other being Sacred Rite...
, One Nation UndergroundOne Nation Underground (Hawaii album)One Nation Underground is the title of the first studio album released by Hawaii, a speed metal band from the United States.-Track listing:# "Living in Sin" – 3:15# "Silent Nightmare" – 3:01# "One Nation Underground" – 4:03# "You're Gonna Burn" – 4:05... - (SH-1013) Unsung Guitar Heroes IV (feat. Shawn LaneShawn LaneShawn Lane was an American musician. Although piano was his first instrument, he quickly became a noted player in underground guitar circles and joined Black Oak Arkansas when he was just fourteen years old....
) - (SH-1018) ChastainChastain (band)Chastain is a Power/heavy metal project formed in 1984 by guitarist David T. Chastain.The band was put together in 1984 by Mike Varney, president of Shrapnel Records for a David T. Chastain solo album...
, Mystery of IllusionMystery of IllusionMystery of Illusion is the debut studio album of the American heavy metal band Chastain, released in 1985 through Shrapnel Records.-Track listing:All songs by David T... - (SH-1021) Tony MacAlpineTony MacAlpineTony Jeff MacAlpine is an American guitarist and keyboardist. Having released ten studio albums over a career spanning more than two decades, he is best known as an instrumental solo guitarist, although he has worked with many different bands and musicians in the form of guest appearances and...
, Edge of InsanityEdge Of InsanityEdge of Insanity is the first studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released in 1986 through Shrapnel Records. An article in Guitar World magazine ranked the album as fourth in the all-time top ten list of shred albums.-Track listing:... - (SH-1023) Racer X, Street LethalStreet LethalStreet Lethal is the debut album by Racer X. It introduced the original band lineup featuring drummer Harry Gschoesser.-Background:Street Lethal was recorded in Prairie Sun Studio, in Cotati, California. Guitarist Paul Gilbert used two borrowed guitars to record the album - a Squier Strat and a...
- (SH-1027) Vinnie MooreVinnie MooreVinnie Moore is a guitarist and a member of the English hard rock band UFO. Along with Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, and others, Moore is known as one of the most influential guitarists to emerge out of the shredder boom in the mid 1980s.-Biography:Moore was born in New Castle, Delaware...
, Mind's EyeMind's Eye (album)Mind's Eye is the first studio album by guitarist Vinnie Moore, released in 1986 through Shrapnel Records. An article in Guitar World magazine ranked the album as third in the all-time top ten list of shred albums.-Track listing:-Personnel:... - (SH-1030) Joey TafollaJoey TafollaJoey Tafolla is an American guitarist. Initially a member of the heavy metal band Jag Panzer from 1984 to 1985, he joined Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records label soon after; releasing his debut album Out of the Sun in 1987, alongside the releases of other shred players such as Marty Friedman, Jason...
, Out of the SunOut Of The SunOut of the Sun is the first studio album by guitarist Joey Tafolla, released in 1987 through Shrapnel Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Joey Tafolla – electric guitar*Paul Gilbert – additional guitar solos... - (SH-1031) CacophonyCacophony (band)Cacophony was an American Speed metal band formed in 1986 by guitarists Marty Friedman and Jason Becker. Cacophony is often recognized for its technically challenging, neo-classical metal and speed metal elements, as well as featuring two shred guitarists...
, Speed Metal SymphonySpeed Metal SymphonySpeed Metal Symphony is the first studio album by Cacophony, released in 1987 through Shrapnel Records. An article in Guitar World magazine ranked the album as ninth in the all-time top ten list of shred albums... - (SH-1032) Racer X, Second Heat
- (SH-1035) Marty Friedman, Dragon's Kiss
- (SH-1036) Jason BeckerJason BeckerJason Eli Becker is an American virtuoso neo-classical metal guitarist and composer. At the age of 16, he became part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. They released Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988...
, Perpetual BurnPerpetual BurnPerpetual Burn is the first studio album by guitarist Jason Becker, released in 1988 through Shrapnel Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Jason Becker – guitar, keyboard, bass, production... - (SH-1037) Greg HoweGreg HoweGregory "Greg" Howe is an American guitarist and composer. As an active musician for nearly thirty years, he has released nine studio albums in addition to collaborating with a wide variety of artists.-Recording career:...
, Greg HoweGreg Howe (album)Greg Howe is the self-titled first studio album by guitarist Greg Howe, released in 1988 through Shrapnel Records. An article in Guitar World magazine ranked the album as tenth in the all-time top ten list of shred albums.-Track listing:-Personnel:... - (SH-1038) Racer X, Extreme Volume Live
- (SH-1040) Cacophony, Go Off!Go Off!Go Off! is the second and final studio album by Cacophony, released in 1988 through Shrapnel Records. A few years later, guitarist Jason Becker was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , rendering him completely unable to play to this day.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Peter Marrino –...
- (SH-1042) Richie KotzenRichie KotzenRichie Kotzen is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.At a young age, Richie Kotzen was taken by music and first began playing piano at the age of five. At the age of seven he was inspired by the band KISS to learn the electric guitar...
, Richie KotzenRichie Kotzen (album)Richie Kotzen is the self-titled first studio album by guitarist Richie Kotzen, released in 1989 through Shrapnel Records.-Track listing:-Personnel:*Richie Kotzen – electric guitar, keyboard*Steve Smith – drums*Stuart Hamm – bass guitar... - (SH-1043) Phantom BluePhantom bluePhantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
, Phantom BluePhantom Blue (album)Phantom Blue is the debut album by American all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. It was released in the U.S. by Shrapnel Records and on the rest of the world by Roadrunner Records. Marty Friedman co-produced the album...