Metal, Rated “XXX”: Roadrunner Marks Three-Decade-Plus Mark with Four-Disc Box Set

One of the top labels in straight-up rock and heavy metal, Roadrunner Records, will celebrate their more than 30 years in the business with a new box set, XXX: Three Decades of Roadrunner Records, in October.

From its inception in 1980, Roadrunner was often toward the forefront of metal, from traditional heavy and thrash metal in the 1980s and early 1990s to the fast-paced tracks and nu metal stylings of the late ’90s. Along the way, they’ve opened up their roster to all kinds of hard rock, serving as a solid home base for veterans and upstarts alike. Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Type O Negative, Dream Theater, Megadeth, Slipknot, Nickelback, Korn, Rush, Porcupine Tree, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Dresden Dolls and Heaven & Hell (the late ’00s project by Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice – essentially, the Dio-led version of Black Sabbath) have all called Roadrunner home at one time or another.

And of these and more will be featured on this themed, 54-track box set, divided into four discs: Foundations, featuring early heavy metal cuts from the label’s early days; Horns Up, a summary of Roadrunner’s output in the late 1990s and early 2000s; And Metal for All, featuring recent metal releases (including the 2004 label supergroup Roadrunner United) and Rock for the Ages, featuring everything that rocked in between. XXX: Three Decades of Roadrunner Records will also feature liner notes from Decibel writer Chris Dick, including interviews and quotes with label founder Cees Wessels as well as King Diamond, Max Cavalera of Sepultura and Soulfly, Matt Heafy of Trivium and more.

XXX: Three Decades of Roadrunner Records will be available October 1. Hit the jump for the usual full track list and (so far, just an Amazon U.K.) pre-order links!

The Year in Reissues: The 2012 Gold Bonus Disc Awards

Wow!  Was it just over a year ago when a rather dubious report began circulating (that, shockingly, was picked up by many otherwise-reputable publications) that proclaimed the death of the CD was secretly scheduled by the major labels for 2012?  Well, 2012 has come and (almost) gone, and it might have been the most super-sized year in recent memory for reissues, deluxe and otherwise, from labels new and old.  Here at the Second Disc, we consider our annual Gold Bonus Disc Awards a companion piece to Mike’s own round-up over at Popdose, and we endeavor to recognize as many of the year’s most amazing reissues as possible – over 80 worthy, unique titles.  We also hope to celebrate those labels, producers and artists who have raised the bar for great music throughout 2012. As we’re literally deluged with news around these parts, these ladies and gentlemen prove, week after week, the strength and health of the catalogue corner of the music world.  We dedicate The Gold Bonus Disc Awards to them, and to you, the readers.  After all, your interest is ultimately what keeps great music of the past alive and well.

With that in mind, don’t forget to share your own thoughts and comments below. What made your must-have list in 2012? Without further ado, let’s celebrate 2012′s best of the best. Welcome to the Gold Bonus Disc Awards!

Which releases take home the gold this year? Hit the jump below to find out!

Saturday Night Special: Lynyrd Skynyrd “Ultimate Collection” Offers New 5.1 Surround DVD-Audio

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s thirteenth studio album, Last of a Dyin’ Breed, arrived in stores just yesterday, but another recent release may have fans of the Southern rock legends even more excited.  Southern Surroundings: The Ultimate Skynyrd Collection is a Wal-Mart-exclusive 1-CD/2-DVD set, selling at the retail giant’s locations for just $11.88.  (That is, if you can find it; your author visited four locations before procuring a copy!)

Of its three discs, the third is the most unique, and it’s also the disc that gives the new collection its title: a DVD containing full high resolution 5.1 surround mixes of ten Skynyrd classics.  Yes, these all-new discrete mixes have been prepared by the dean of surround sound, Grammy Award winner Elliot Scheiner, and are available in Advanced Resolution Surround in true DVD-Audio format.  A Dolby 5.1 track has also been included for those playing the disc in standard DVD-Video players.  (The songs are also playable in 96 kHz/24-bit stereo on the DVD-A layer and PCM stereo on the standard portion.)  Not only does this title mark a major-label return to the DVD-Audio format, but Scheiner (Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs, Hotel California, The Nightfly) has worked the magic he’s known for in creating a truly immersive surround mix on Skynyrd favorites including “Free Bird” and “Gimme Back My Bullets.”

Top 10 hit “Sweet Home Alabama,” alas, isn’t one of the ten tracks mixed into surround.  But it leads off the CD on Southern Surroundings, which is actually identical to 2000’s anthology All-Time Greatest Hits, with Doug Schwartz’s remastering.  This platinum-selling CD remains a solid single-disc Skynyrd primer, running nearly 75 minutes’ length over fourteen tracks.

What else will you find on the new set?  Hit the jump!  Plus: the full track listing and order link!