Next to Metal Blade, Combat Records were probably the most important and influential of the original US Metal labels. They started out in 1983 as the Metal-imprint of Relativity Records, in turn owned by IRD (Important). With so many classic quality releases on their conscience you'd think there would be some legendary Metal character à la Metal Blade's Brian Slagel or Megaforce's Jon Zazula behind it all, but these top men seem a bit more anonymous. Frankly the little info I've found on Combat is very confusing and contradictory and at the moment I'm not even sure if they started out in NY or LA. I'll try to straighten out some ?s in the near future. Some notes on the list: The missing numbers in the list are confirmed off-topic Relativity releases (they shared the same serial index and includes everything from Tangerine Dream to Alien Sex Fiend to musical soundtracks) so I have of course left them out, bar a handful of noteworthy exceptions. I still need info on the ones with the usual "If anyone knows more.."-tag, even if plenty of them will probably turn out to be Relativity- and not Combat releases. I've included the titles of Combat's HC/Punk sisterlabel Combat Core, since these bands and albums are commonly considered part of the Combat-family. These artists later shifted to Combat Records after the CC imprint was scrapped in 1987. On the other hand I've left out the Sub-Core Records material, seeing as they weren't really related to Combat at all but originally an indie HC label that later got picked up by Relativity. I think.
Cover Cat# Artist Title Format Year (comment) EMC 8001 Talas Sink Your Teeth Into That LP 1983 First full-lenght release on motherlabel Relativity Records and included here since the band later turned up on Combat. MX 8003 The Rods Live LP 1983   EMC 8004 G.B.H. City Baby's Revenge LP 1984 Not Metal. Punk. Licensed from Clay Records (1983). Released on motherlabel Relativity Records and included here since the band later turned up on Combat Core. MX 8005 Talas High Speed On Ice LP 1984   MX 8006 Oz Fire In The Brain LP 1984 Licensed from Tyfon Records (1983). MX 8007 Helstar Burning Star LP 1984   MX 8008 Tokyo Blade Midnight Rendezvous LP 1984 Licensed from Powerstation Records (1983, originally self-titled). . MX 8009 The Rods Let Them Eat Metal LP 1984   MX 8010 TKO In Your Face LP 1984   MX 1208 TKO I Wanna Fight 12" EP 1984   MX 8011 Mercyful Fate Don't Break The Oath LP 1984 Licensed from Roadrunner Records. MX 8012 Tokyo Blade Night Of The Blade LP 1984 Licensed from Powerstation Records. . MX 8013 Oz III Warning LP 1984 Licensed from Tyfon Records. MX 8014 Abattoir Vicious Attack LP 1985   MX 8015 Megadeth Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good LP/CD 1985   MX 6016 Savatage The Dungeons Are Calling MLP 1985   MX 8017 Thrasher Burning At The Speed Of Light LP 1985   MX 8018 Savatage Sirens LP 1985 Originally on Par Records in 1982 with different cover art. MX 8019 Exodus Bonded By Blood LP/CD 1985 Co-released by Torrid Records. MX 8020 Slayer Hell Awaits LP/CD/ Pic-LP 1985 Co-released by Metal Blade Records. MX 8021 Trouble The Skull LP 1985 Co-released by Metal Blade Records. MX 8022 Venom Possessed LP 1985 Licensed from Neat Records. MX 8023 Exciter Long Live The Loud LP 1985   MX 8024 Possessed Seven Churches LP/CD 1985 Title in black-on-black embossed letters, unlike all later pressings. MX 8025 Zoetrope Amnesty LP 1985   MX 8026 Running Wild Gates To Purgatory LP 1985 Licensed from Noise Records. Includes 2 bonus tracks taken from the "Victim Of States Power" EP. MX 8027 Hallows Eve Tales Of Terror LP 1985 Co-released by Metal Blade Records. MX 8028 Nasty Savage s/t LP 1985 Co-released by Metal Blade Records. MX 8029 Agent Steel Sceptics Apocalypse LP 1985   MX 8030 Venom Black Metal LP/CD 1985 Licensed from Neat Records (1982). Includes 3 bonus tracks: Bloodlust, Acid Queen and Die Hard. MX 8031 Venom At War With Satan LP/CD 1985 Licensed from Neat Records (1984). Includes 2 bonus tracks: Manitou and Woman. MX 8032 Venom Welcome To Hell LP/CD 1985 Licensed from Neat Records (1981). Includes 2 bonus tracks: In Nomine Satanas and Bursting Out. MX 8033 Sweet Pain s/t LP 1985   MX 8034 Venom American Assault MLP 1986   MX 8035 Exciter Feel The Knife 12" EP 1985   MXV 8038 V/A Combat Tour Live: The Ultimate Revenge VHS 1985 featuring: Exodus, Venom and Slayer. MX 8041 Bathory The Return... LP 1985 Licensed from Tyfon Records. CC 8046 Agnostic Front Victim In Pain LP 1986 Licensed from Rat Cage Records (1986). Different cover art from origninal. CC 8047 English Dogs Forward Into Battle LP 1986 CC 8048 Circle Jerks Wönderful LP/CD 1985 CC 8049 Agnostic Front Cause For Alarm LP/CD 1986 CD released in '91 w/ the "Victim In Pain" LP as bonus. MX 8050 Bathory s/t LP 1985 Licensed from Tyfon/Black Mark Records. MX 8051 Running Wild Branded And Exiled LP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records (1985) MX 8052 Helstar Remnants Of War LP 1986   MX 8053 Impaler If We Had Brains... We'd Be Dangerous LP 1986   MX 8054 Exciter Unveiling The Wicked LP 1986   MX 8059 Iron Angel Hellish Crossfire LP 1986 Licensed from Steamhammer Records (1986). MX 8062 Venom Here Lies Venom 4-LP Box 1986 Includes "Welcom To Hell", "Black Metal", "At War With Satan" and a pic-disc version of "American Assault". CC 8064 The Exploited Live At The Whitehouse LP 1986 Licensed from Suck Records. CC 8065 Circle Jerks Wonderful/ American Heavy Metal Weekend 12" 1986 Promo. CC 8067 G.B.H. Midnight Madness And Beyond LP 1986 If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. ?? 8073 ? ? ? 1986   CC 8077 Broken Bones Bonecrusher LP 1986 If anyone knows more about these releases, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. ?? 8078- 8079 ? ? ? 1986   MX 8080 Agent Steel Mad Locus Rising 12" EP 1986 Blue vinyl. If anyone knows more about these releases, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. ?? 8084- 8087 ? ? ? 1987   88561- 8090 Crumbsuckers Life Of Dreams LP 1986 MX 8091 Celtic Frost To Mega Therion LP/CD 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. MX 8092 Grave Digger War Games LP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. MX 8093 Helloween Walls Of Jericho LP/CD 1987 Licensed from Noise Records (1986). MX 8095 Powermad Combat Boot Camp MLP 1987   MX 8096 Agent Steel Unstoppable Force LP/CD 1987   88561- 8097 Possessed Beyond The Gates LP 1987   88561- 8098 Tension Breaking Point LP 1987 Co-released by Torrid Records. If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. ?? 8099 ? ? ? 1987   MX 8103 Voivod Rrröööaaarrr LP/CD 1986   MX 8104 Onslaught The Force LP 1986 Licensed from Under One Flag. MX 8105 Kreator Pleasure To Kill LP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. CC 8106 English Dogs Metalmorphosis 12" EP 1986 MX 8107 Celtic Frost Tragic Serenades 12" EP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. MX 8108 Napalm Combat Boot Camp MLP 1986   MX 8111 V/A Bullets - Volume One LP 1986 featuring: Megadeth, Abattoir, Helstar, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Agnostic Front, Crumbsuckers, Impaler and Possessed. 88561- 8112 Abattoir The Only Safe Place LP 1987   88561- 8114 Dark Angel Darkness Descends LP/CD 1986   If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8116 ? ? ? 1986   MX 8117 Have Mercy Combat Boot Camp [a.k.a.] Armageddon Descends MLP 1986 88561- 8118 Nuclear Assault Game Over LP/Pic-LP 1986   88561- 8119 Nuclear Assault Brain Death 12" EP 1986   88561- 8121 Broken Bones Never Say Die MLP 1986 If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8122 ? ? ? 1986   88561- 8124 Voivod Thrashing Rage Pic-MLP 1986   88561- 8125 Kreator Flag Of Hate 12" EP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8126 The Exploited Jesus Is Dead 12" EP 1986 A generic sleeve promo version with the title censored as "***** ** Dead" also exists. 88561- 8127 G.B.H. Oh No It's G.B.H. Again! 12" EP 1986 88561- 8128 Helloween Judas 12" EP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. MX 8129 White Pigs Combat Boot Camp MLP 1986   88561- 8129 Tankard Zombie Attack LP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8131 Deathrow Riders Of Doom LP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8132 Digger Stronger Than Ever LP 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. CC 8133 Ludichrist Immaculate Deception LP 1987 88561- 8134 English Dogs Where Legend Began LP 1986 88561- 8138 Hades Resisting Success LP 1987 Co-released by Torrid Records. 88561- 8144 Kreator Pleasure To Kill/Flag Of Hate CD 1986 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8146 Death Scream Bloody Gore LP/CD 1987 88561- 8147 Voivod Killing Technology LP/CD 1987   88561- 8148 Liege Lord Burn To My Touch LP 1987 Co-released by Metal Blade Records. 88561- 8148-0 Liege Lord Cast Out/Legend 12" 1987 Promo. Co-released by Metal Blade Records. 88561- 8153 Corrosion Of Conformity Technocracy MLP 1986 Co-released by Death/Metal Blade Records. 88561- 8155 Nuclear Assault The Plague MLP 1987   88561- 8156 Coroner R.I.P. LP 1987 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8157 Tyrant Too Late To Pray LP 1987 Co-released by Metal Blade Records. 88561- 8159 Zoetrope A Life Of Crime LP 1987   88561- 8160 Circle Jerks VI LP/CD 1987 Not Metal. HC/Crossover. 88561- 8161 D.B.C. Dead Brain Cells LP 1987   88561- 8162 Heathen Breaking The Silence LP/CD 1987   If anyone knows more about these releases, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8163- 8164 ? ? ? 1987   88561- 8166 Running Wild Under Jolly Roger LP 1987 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8168 Possessed The Eyes Of Horror MLP 1987   88561- 8169 Exodus Pleasures Of The Flesh LP/CD 1987   If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8170 ? ? ? 1987   88561- 8171 Sword Metalized LP/CD 1987   88561- 8172 Broken Bones F.O.A.D. MLP 1987 88561- 8173 Onslaught Power From Hell LP 1987 Licensed from C.O.R. Records (1985). 88561- 8175 Celtic Frost Into The Pandemonium LP 1987 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8179 Rage Execution Guaranteed LP 1987 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8181 The Accüsed More Fun Than An Open Casket Funeral LP/CD 1987   88561- 8182 Heathen Set Me Free 12" 1987   If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8183 ? ? ? 1987   88561- 8184 G.B.H. No Need To Panic LP 1987 Not Metal. Punk/HC. 88561- 8185 The Exploited Death Before Dishonor LP 1987 Not Metal. Punk/HC. 88561- 8196 Exodus Pleasures Of The Flesh Pic-LP 1987 Ltd to 10 000 copies. 88561- 8197 The Accüsed The Return Of Martha Splatterhead LP/CD 1988 Not Metal. HC. Licensed from C.O.R./Earache Records(1986). Different cover art from the original. 88561- 8198 Deathrow Raging Steel LP 1988 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8200 Tankard Chemical Invasion LP 1987 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8201 Nuclear Assault Game Over/The Plague CD 1987   If anyone knows more about these releases, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8202- 8203 ? ? ? 1987   88561- 8204 Agnostic Front Liberty And Justice For.. MLP/CD 1987 Not Metal. HC. 88561- 8206 The Exploited Horror Epics LP 1988 Not Metal. Punk/HC. Licensed from Dojo Records. 88561- 8207 The Exploited Let's Start A War... Said Maggie Some Day LP/CD 1987 Not Metal. Punk. Colored (?) vinyl. Licensed from Pax Records. 88561- 8208 Crumbsuckers B.O.M.B. [a.k.a.] Beast On My Back LP/CD 19878 Not Metal. Crossover. 88561- 8212 Vendetta Go And Live... Stay And Die LP 1987 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8214 Kreator Terrible Certainty LP/CD 1988 Licensed from Noise Records. 88561- 8215 Tigertailz Young And Crazy LP/CD 1987 Licensed from Music For Nations. 88561- 8216 G.B.H. The Clay Years - 1981 to 84 LP/CD 1988 Not Metal. Punk. Licensed from Clay Records. 88561- 8217 G.B.H. City Baby Attacked By Rats LP/CD 1988 Not Metal. Punk. Licensed from Clay Records. 88561- 8218 G.B.H. Leather, Bristles, No Survivors and Sick Boys... 12" EP 1988 Not Metal. Punk. Licensed from Clay Records. If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8221 ? ? LP 198? 88561- 8226 Blind Illusion The Sane Asylum LP/CD 1988   88561- 8227 Savatage Sirens/The Dungeons Are Calling CD 1988 Co-released by Metal Blade. 88561- 8228 Virus Force Recon LP 1988 Licensed from Metalworks. 88561- 8229 Agony The First Defiance LP 1988 Licensed from Under One Flag. 88561- 8230 Acid Reign Moshkinstein LP 1988 Licensed from Under One Flag. 88561- 8232 G.B.H. Wot A Bargin MLP 1988 Not Metal. Punk/HC. Licensed from Rough Justice. 88561- 8233 The Exploited War Now 12" EP 1988 Not Metal. Punk/HC. Licensed from Rough Justice. 88561- 8236 The Accüsed Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told LP/CD 1988 Not Metal. HC/Crossover. If anyone knows more about these releases, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8239- 8240 ? ? ? 198?   88561- 8241 Possessed Beyond The Gates/The Eyes Of Horror CD 1988 If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8242 ? ? ? 198?   88561- 8243 Intrinsic s/t LP/CD 1988 Not a Combat release. ...but to my knowledge this was the only Metal record on Relativity (co-released by No Wimp Rec) that came out without the involvement of Combat, so it's worth mentioning. An earlier No Wimp-pressing also exists (different cover art). 88561- 8246 Ludichrist Powertrip LP 1988 88561- 8248 Death Leprosy LP/CD 1988 If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 8256 ? ? ? 198? 88561- 8257 Forbidden Forbidden Evil LP/CD 1988 88561- 8262 Raven Nothing Exceeds Like Excess LP/CD 1988 88561- 8264 Dark Angel Leave Scars LP/CD 1989 88561- 2001 Exodus Fabulous Disaster LP/CD 1989   88561- 2002 V/A Ultimate Revenge 2 LP/CD/ VHS 1989 featuring: Forbidden, Faith Or Fear, Death, Dark Angel and Raven. 88561- 2003 D.B.C. Universe LP/CD 1989 CD includes the s/t debut album. If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 2004 ? ? ? 1989   88561- 2005 Faith Or Fear Punishment Area LP/CD 1989   If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 2006 ? ? LP/CD 1989   88561- 2007 Forced Enty Uncertain Future LP/CD 1989   88561- 2008 Devastation Signs Of Life LP/CD 1989   88561- 2009 Forbidden Raw Evil - Live At The Dynamo MLP/CD 1989   If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 2010 ? ? LP/CD 1989   88561- 2011 Death Spiritual Healing LP/CD 1990   88561- 2012 C.I.A. In The Red LP/CD 1990   0901 C.I.A. Extinction/Turn To Stone 12" 1990 Promo 88561- 2013 Dark Angel Live Scars LP/CD 1990   88561- 2014 Forbidden Twisted Into Form LP/CD 1990   IC PROLP-0903 Forbidden Step By Step/ One Foot In Hell 12" 1990 Promo 88561- 2015 Two Bit Thief Another Sad Story In The Big City LP/CD 1990   88561- 2016 Cyclone Temple I Hate Therefore I Am LP/CD 1990   88561- 2017 Carcass Symphonies Of Sickness CD 1990 Licensed from Earache Records (1989). 88561- 2018 Dark Angel Time Does Not Heal CD 1991   88561- 2019 Devastation Idolatry CD 1991   88561- 2020 Napalm Death Harmony Corruption LP/CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records (1990). 88561- 2021 Entombed Left Hand Path CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records (1990). 88561- 2022 Morbid Angel Altars Of Madness LP/CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records (1989). 88561- 2023 Godflesh Streetcleaner CD 1991 Not Metal. Industrial. Licensed from Earache Records (1989). 0908 Godflesh Pulp 12" 1991 Not Metal. Industrial. Promo. Licensed from Earache Records (1989). 88561- 2024 Forced Entry As Above So Below CD 1991   88561- 2025 Carcass Reek Of Putrefaction MC only? 1991 Licensed from Earache Records (1988). 88561- 2026 Exodus A Lesson In Violence CD 1991 Very rare compilation that got deleted in favour of the live album below. 88561- 2026 Exodus Good Friendly Violent Fun CD 1991   88561- 2027 V/A Grindcrusher LP/CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records. featuring: Morbid Angel, Repulsion, Carcass, Godflesh, Terrorizer, Hellbastard, Carnage, Naked City, Filthy Christians, OLD, Intense Degree, Sore Throat, Napalm Death, Entombed, Nocturnus, Bolt Thrower, Lawnmower Death, Cadaver, Sweet Tooth, Mighty Force, Spazztic Blurr, Heresy and Unseen Terror. 88561- 2028 Bolt Thrower War Master CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records. 88561- 2029 Nocturnus The Key CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records. 88561- 2030 Mighty Force Dive 12" 1991 Not Metal. Techno. Licensed from Earache Records (1990). 88561- 2031 Corrosion Of Conformity Blind CD 1991 Not Metal. Crossover/Alternative. 88561- 2032 Morbid Angel Blessed Are The Sick CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records. If anyone knows more about this release, please get in contact, either via the forum or by e-mail. 88561- 2033 ? ? ? 1991   88561- 2034 Bolt Thrower Realm Of Chaos CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records (1989). 88561- 2035 Terrorizer World Downfall CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records (1989). 88561- 2036 Death Human CD 1991   88561- 2037 Fudge Tunnel Hate Songs In E Minor CD 1991 Not Metal. Sludge/Industrial. Licensed from Earache Records. 88561- 2038 Massacre From Beyond CD 1991 Licensed from Earache Records.
Compiled by DaN Edman. Additional info by John Maffett, Avenger and Bostjan Sovdat.
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