One Hell of a Record Label: Contest for Roadrunner Fans

I’ve been listening to metal for over 30 years, and there’s no doubt it’s influenced me and my writing. I began Brightside with lyrics from Machine Head’s “Davidian” and mention Fear Factory’s Fear is the Mindkiller in a later chapter. 25 Perfect Days begins with Slipknot lyrics from “All Hope is Gone” and one of the stories is named after Nailbomb’s “24 Hour Bullshit.”  It wasn’t until I was writing a blog about the music affecting my second novel, that I realized many of my favorite bands were produced by the same label: Roadrunner Records.

I checked out Roadrunner’s website to see what other albums I had of theirs and I was surprised at just how many there were. My first introduction to Roadrunner came back in the late ’80′s, Obituary, Annihilator, and King Diamond there to help me survive Catholic high school. My college years were filled with Sepultura, Malevolent Creation, and Exhorder. Machine Head became my favorite band in ’94 and I’ve purchased every album since. Fear Factory became another big favorite at this time; Soulfly not far behind them. The turn of the century brought the almighty Slipknot and Chimaira, as well as mellower bands like Stone Sour and Ill Nino when I needed to turn it down a little. Devildriver, Killswitch Engage and Trivium were other quality bands that decade. Now I always check out Roadrunner’s site to see what’s new.

98 albums total; a ton of great music. I sold off a lot of the harder albums and usually buy digitally now, but I’d say it’s still a decent collection. Send in a photo of your Roadrunner collection by June 7th and you’ll be entered in a drawing. First place will win their choice of either a $50 iTunes or Amazon gift card and a signed copy of Brightside and 25 Perfect Days. Second and third place winners will receive signed copies of both books. Contest only open to US residents. To enter simply post your photos to my Facebook page or twitter.

Thanks to all the great bands that have been a positive influence, and to Roadrunner for putting them out there.