Roadrunner Records is a major record label that concentrates heavily on metalcore and nu-metal bands. The label was launched in the Netherlands in 1980 and was originally called "Roadracer Records". Roadrunner's initial business was importing North American metal into Europe. In 1986 Roadrunner opened its US headquarters in New York City and later opened offices in England, Germany, France, Japan and Australia. Early successes included albums from King Diamond (the first Roadrunner artist to enter the Billboard Top 200 albums chart) and Annihilator. The end of the 1980's saw the release of two albums that are now considered classics of their respective genres: Obituary's Slowly We Rot and Sepultura's Beneath The Remains.
RoadrunneR Records, a name synonymous with heavy metal, emerged from the passion and vision of its founder, Cees Wessels. In 1980, Wessels, recognizing the burgeoning popularity of heavy metal in Europe and the lack of access to such music in his native Netherlands, founded the company initially as a music importer. His entrepreneurial spirit and love for the genre set the stage for what would become a legendary record label.
Wessels' vision extended beyond mere distribution. He wanted to provide a platform for emerging heavy metal bands, giving them a voice and a chance to reach a wider audience. This commitment to nurturing new talent became a cornerstone of RoadrunneR's identity.
As RoadrunneR expanded its reach, another key figure entered the picture: Monte Conner . Joining the label in 1987, Conner initially worked in college radio promotion but quickly transitioned into A&R (Artists and Repertoire), where his impact would be profound.
Conner's role was to discover and sign new bands, and he possessed an uncanny ability to identify talent with the potential for greatness. His signings included a veritable who's who of heavy metal, including Slipknot, Sepultura, Machine Head, Type O Negative, and countless others. Conner's keen ear and unwavering passion for the music helped shape RoadrunneR's roster and solidify its reputation as a tastemaker in the genre.
Together, Wessels and Conner formed a formidable partnership. Wessels provided the vision and infrastructure, while Conner brought the artistic acumen and an unerring instinct for identifying the next big thing in heavy metal. Their combined efforts transformed RoadrunneR from a humble importer into a global powerhouse, launching the careers of countless bands and leaving an indelible mark on the heavy metal landscape.
RoadrunneR's legacy is a testament to the passion and dedication of both Cees Wessels and Monte Conner. Wessels' entrepreneurial spirit and Conner's A&R prowess created a label that not only championed heavy metal but also helped define its evolution. Their contributions to the genre are undeniable, and their influence continues to be felt today.
All of RoadrunneR's records were manufactured in the Netherlands and from there distributed across all over Europe.
Trivia:
Maarten de Boer: was the vinyl mastering engineer at The Masters, Netherlands. (formerly Holland Cutting Room). In the mid 80's he did all vinyl mastering for RoadrunneR Records. In the stamper/matrix you may find his signature "Holland Cutting" hand-etched in the inner (running out grooves) of the vinyl lp's.
Some RoadrunneR records have also been issued on the " Music for Nations " record label.
This section contains the complete LP record catalog (work in progress) of RoadrunneR records with detailed collector's information.
The large RoadrunneR Vinyl Record Catalogue from the 1980 has been split over multiple pages.
Use the series of catalognrs below to find the right version of your LP.