This list ends with the final (?) RO-release, thus completing the original Roadracer discography. By 1992, both Roadracer and RC Records were being phased out and the Roadrunner-brand was then used for most Metal releases from there on.The R O-prefix are mostly used from now on. By late 1988 things started getting more complicated, and Dutch releases started appearing on Roadracer, while some of the US pressings started using the new RC Records imprint.
Up until about 1988-89, most releases by Roadrunner's own signings came out on Roadrunner in Holland and Roadracer in the US. By late 1986-early 1987 Roadracer stood on their own feet, still distributed by Important but now using their own familiar RR # numbers.Then they had a short fling with Greenworld Distribution, using their numbers until GW folded in 1986.The first handful of releases were co-opted with Important Records, using Important's own cat# system.
In 1984, Roadrunner started up the Roadracer sublabel, then for the purpouse of marketing their own private signings in the US*. Most releases the least bit involved with RR should have a copyright note (p) designated to Roadrunner Productions B.V. The logo sometimes appear on releases that also wear the RoadraceR, RC or other sublabel logos. The "Sublabel" column in the list will tell you which label/labels were used for the Dutch and/or US pressing in question, but note that so far I will not go into detail about the many different variations and represses of the (mostly) Dutch pressings that exist on their more popular releases. The trickiest part of putting together this list (apart from the sheer SIZE of it!) has been to figure out the best and easiest way to disentangle and explain the US v/s Dutch versions and the usage of their many sublabels, especially the RoadraceR and RC Records variations. I'm being lazy below and won't hunt down any sleeve pics for the non-Metal releases until RR 9900, which is abouts when Roadrunner solidified as a mainly-Metal label.
#9742 HUNTDOWN KNIFE LICENSE#
The catalogue numbers running from 9999 and backwards implies a Satanic cult connection, which we of course applaud, but they loose some points for not even touching Metal until their 42nd release (a GASKIN license pressing). Their own singnings are clearly in minority, but how can we not give some credit to the label who took the mighty MERCYFUL FATE (and subsequently King Diamond) under their wings? Some other notable names among their own private rooster would be CARNIVORE, SILVER MOUNTAIN, WITCH CROSS, WHIPLASH and BULLDOZER. RR hoarded more licensing deals of US as well as European Hard Rock and Metal than any other label at the time and these cheapo "Dutch imports" should be found in the dozens/hundreds of most half-decent collections out there.
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