In early 1981, aspiring musician Mike Varney released a compilation album on his newly formed label, Shrapnel Records. The record was titled U.S. Metal Guitar Heroes, and its absurd cover depicted a ...

Shrapnel Records is probably the most important record label of all time when speaking about the development of the shred style of guitar playing. Founded in the ’80s, Shrapnel released albums from a ...

In the late 1980s, supercharged guitar theatrics were at their height. Most remember the soaring solos and rainbow-tinged guitars, backed by stacks of sizzling amps. But if we dial back the clock just ...