As one of the most influential record labels in the heavy metal and hard rock scene Roadrunner Records attracted both big artists as thousands of music fans. Over the years we released some incredible vinyl versions by some appealing names from this label. We're just going in-depth to take a look at some of these smashing, ground-breaking and heavy as hell records.

Let's start with the self-titled second album by the American band Amen, a collection of punk-metal songs with some uncompromising lyrics. The rawness can be found in the intensity of the songs, like the crushing finale of "Resignation / Naked and Violent" and the galloping drums of the title track "Coma America". All the aggression they put in their music is both audible in their harsh and expressive songs and the more punk-pop focused tracks. Another great release can be accounted to the Murderdolls, which released their debut album in 2002. As a side-project by Slipknot's sticksman Joey Jordison he created an album for which they drew inspiration from horror classics such as Friday the 13th and Night of the Living Dead. It's a great stomp-along record with a lot of humour and ongoing riffs. The energy of songs like "She Was a Teenage Zombie" and "Dead in Hollywood" are setting the pace for the storyline.

The five-piece group Vision of Disorder worked together with producer D. Sardy (Red Hot Chili Peppers) to record their second album Imprint. In the new wave of American heavy metal they recorded one of their best albums. With the terrific vocals of Tim Williams, alternating between clean singing and screaming, and the trashy riffs the album gets an aggressive look. But there are also plenty of melodic parts in which they shows their versatility. Tracks like "Colorblind" and "By the River" are both brutal as beautiful. Life of Agony is an alternative metal band which started in 1989. During the years their fanbase grew larger and larger and in 2000 they released the fantastic live album Unplugged at the Lowlands Festival '97. The album consists of 8 tracks from this Dutch festival and 7 bonus tracks. The live experience can be heard in the versions of the killing "River Runs Red" and the ballad "Let's Pretend".

As one the most successful bands in the heavy metal scene Machine Head changed their musical style from their trash sound to melodies which incorporates rapping vocals. The Burning Red is an musical experiment with disco drums, crooning vocals and funky basslines. Their progressive sound can still be found in the tribal beat and guitar melodies of a song like "The Blood, the Sweat, the Tears". But their characteristic heavy sound is now combined with subtle melodies and some groovy rhythms, but there are also rapping structures as in "Desire to Fire". Nailbomb's impressive debut Point Blank (1994), is an Industrial, sample Metal/Hardcore project of Sepultura/Soulfly front man Max Cavalera and producer Alex Newport (Fudge Tunnel). It got raving reviews in the mid Nineties. The final release of Nailbomb, the live album Proud To Commit Commercial Suicide, was recorded at the 1995 Dynamo Festival in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. It just breathes the quality of the album Point Blank, as it consist mostly of material from that release.

Last but not least we got one the best-selling artists from the last decade, Trivium. Their 2008 release Shogun is one hell of a ride through the fields of trash and progressive metal. The aggressive and powerful riffs are combined with death-grunts and growling, from the opening track "Kirisute Gomen" to the last killer track "Shogun". The creativeness and experimental parts are mixed with dark and modern sounds. Shogun is an incredible journey through the metal music machine Trivium created.

Of course we got a lot more fantastic Roadrunner titles, what to think about classics by King Diamond, Madball, Carnivore  and Crimson Glory.