This article is a continuation of my 2020 blog post detailing the most expensive metal CDs that we have had first-hand experience with from buying a lot of heavy metal CD collections. For the 2021 update, I have expanded the list to 25 because we’ve grown considerably as a business. The values assigned to each are based on amounts we have sold them for and are not an aggregate. All CDS from the 2020 blog post have also been excluded from this list, but you can view the archive here.
Krabathor – Cool Mortification CD 1993 Monitor – 010174-2331 (Czech Republic) – This CD is rare and HEAVILY counterfeited — there are very few real ones floating around. Some counterfeits even mimic the runout matrix, but if the ring does not look exactly like this, it is fake.
SOLD 9/11/2021 – $199.95
2. Morpheus Descends – Ritual Of Infinity CD 1992 JL America – 3815-41012-2
Morpheus Descends – Ritual Of Infinity CD 1992 JL America – 3815-41012-2 – This is a another heavily bootlegged CD, but the 1992 first press with this runout Matrix / Runout (Variant 1): W.O.# E35739-1 *MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN HELIX* CD 0400313815-41012-2 is worth a mint.
SOLD 8/1/2021 – $149.95
3. A.C. – It Just Gets Worse CD 2003 Earache – MOSH 195CD Original Factory Sealed
Anal Cunt – It Just Gets Worse CD 2003 Earache – MOSH 195CD – This is more than what this CD usually fetches (usually $50-$70), but this copy was factory sealed made it slightly more expensive. The fact Seth Putnam and the gang are canceledfrom metal continues to drive Anal CuntCD price northward.
SOLD 6/7/2021 – $129.95
4. Iron Maiden – Tailgunner CD Single 1990 Epic – ESK 2233 PROMO
Iron Maiden – Tailgunner CD Single 1990 Epic – ESK 2233 PROMO – With no cover art (comes as disc only), the mega-rare Iron Maiden radio promo is worth a pretty penny.
Sold 8/8/2021 – $99.95
5. Sanctuary – Into The Mirror Live / Black Reflections CD 1990 Epic– ESK2188 PROMO
Sanctuary – Into The Mirror Live / Black Reflections CD 1990 Epic– ESK2188 PROMO -Worth so much because: 1000 copies were manufactured and 500 were distributed to radio stations / stores. The other 500 were destroyed due to contractual issues with the label.
SOLD 6/12021 – $99.95
6. Nasty Habit – Rock Hard CD 1991 American Records – 1439-2
Nasty Habit – Rock Hard CD 1991 American Records – 1439-2 – Honestly, I have no idea why this CD is so expensive, but it didn’t sit on the shelf long.
Accidental Suicide – Deceased CD 1992 Grind Core – 89811-2 – Very rare self-release grindcore. This copy sold for a lt because it was factory sealed, but any copy is worth at least 50 bucks.
SOLD 5/5/2021 – $98.72
8. Death – Scream Bloody Gore CD 1987 Combat – 88561-8146-2 (FIRST PRESS)
Death – Scream Bloody Gore CD 1987 Combat – 88561-8146-2 – The first press and the repress if this album has the same catalog number. The first pressing lists all of the song titles straight in a row. The repress says “Side A / Side B” on the rear card.
SOLD 4/4.2021 – $98.69
9. Gutted – Gutted CD 1997 Loud N Local Music Group – LNLMG9701-2
Gutted – Gutted CD 1997 Loud N Local Music Group – LNLMG9701-2 – The original indie release is the one that’s worth big money. It was later reissued by the Greek label Repulsive Echo.
SOLD 6/1/2021 – $96.94
10. Gorguts – Considered Dead CD 1991 R/C Records – RCD 9273
Gorguts – Considered Dead CD 1991 R/C Records – RCD 9273 (ORIGINAL RARE) – Like many CDs from the golden age of death metal, this one is worth a bunch and does not stick around long.
SOLD 7/7/2021 – $95.95
11. Immolation – Stepping On Angels…Before Dawn CD 1995 Repulse Records RPS 004 CD
Immolation – Stepping On Angels…Before Dawn CD 1995 Repulse Records RPS 004 CD – Another winner from one of the more prominent bands from the 90s golden age of death metal.
SOLD 3/3/2012 $95.41
14. Immolation – Dawn of Possession CD 1991 R/C Records RCD 9310
Immolation – Dawn of Possession CD 1991 R/C Records RCD 9310 – ORIGINAL PRESS – Debut CD from Immolation and second title from this band to make this list.
SOLD 5/5/2021 – $92.23
15. Dawn – Slaughtersun (Crown Of The Triarchy) CD 2004 Necropolis 44021-2
Dawn – Slaughtersun (Crown Of The Triarchy) CD 2004 Necropolis 44021-2 – I don’t know much about this band.
SOLD 2/1/2021 – $89.96
16. Iron Maiden – No Prayer For The Dying CD Single 1990 Epic – ESK 73695
Iron Maiden – No Prayer For The Dying CD Single 1990 Epic – ESK 73695 – Another super rare 3-song radio, which includes two unreleased cover tunes.
SOLD 7/21/2021 – $89.95
17. Bruce Dickinson: Killing Floor / King In Crimson CD CMC International
Bruce Dickinson: Killing Floor / King In Crimson CD CMC International RARE PROMO – Another very rare and valuable radio promo with only one song from the Iron Maiden frontman.
SOLD 8/28/2021 – $87.95
18. Transgressor – Ether For Scapegoat CD 1992 Cyber Music – CYBER CD 03
Transgressor – Ether For Scapegoat CD 1992 Cyber Music – CYBER CD 03 NETHERLANDS = Another band I don’t know a ton about other than their CDs are worth a bunch.
SOLD 4/21/2021 – $82.95
19. Scorpions – Virgin Killer CD 1989 RCA – B20D-41012
Scorpions – Virgin Killer CD 1989 RCA – B20D-41012 Japan /w OBI Banned Cover – Japanese version with the original banned artwork – super valuable and out-of-print!
SOLD 6/20/2021 – $74.95
20. Seance – Fornever Laid To Rest CD 1993 Black Mark Production – BMCD 17
Seance – Fornever Laid To Rest CD 1993 Black Mark Production – BMCD 17 – Very rare release on Quarthon’s from Bathory’s Black Mark label.
SOLD 6/21/2021 – $74.95
21. Massacre – From Beyond CD 1991 Relativity – 88561-2038-2
Massacre – From Beyond CD 1991 Relativity – 88561-2038-2 – Death alumni’s minus Chuck. This CD has Very sought after.
SOLD 3/3/2021 – $74.61
22. Dismember – Like An Ever Flowing Stream CD 1992 Nuclear Blast – IMP. NBA 6018
Dismember – Like An Ever Flowing Stream CD 1992 Nuclear Blast – IMP. NBA 6018 – This CD has been reissued many times, but the first press in the one that is worth money.
SOLD 1/2/2021 – $73.71
23. Burzum – Det Som Engang Var CD 1997 Misanthropy Records – AMAZON 002
Burzum – Det Som Engang Var CD 1997 Misanthropy Records – AMAZON 002 – DIGIPAK – For some reason, you are forbidden from using the word “Burzum” on eBay. Still, if you search for “1Burzum” you are likely to find the entire catalog.
SOLD 4/4/2021 – $69.95
24. Dark Forest – Land Of The Evening Star CD 2012 Bleak Art Records BAR011
Dark Forest – Land Of The Evening Star CD 2012 Bleak Art Records BAR011 Canada – Rare Canadian death metal.
SOLD 7/13/2021
25. Dominus Xul – The Primigeni Xul (I Condemned My Enemies) CD 1999 Picoroco CHILE
Dominus Xul – The Primigeni Xul (I Condemned My Enemies) CD 1999 Picoroco CHILE – Last but not least.
SOLD 2/1/2021 – $59.95
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The video below is just a portion of a rare metal and punk vinyl collection I valued at approximately $120,000. I recently bought it from a private collector here in Los Angeles.
This epic record collection consisted of around 3500 12″ LPs and 1000 7″ singles. Since the start of COVID, most of the records I have been buying have all been internationally, but this collection I found locally in Los Angeles. After some negotiation with the seller, this purchase was by far my largest, which I picked up for $67,000.
The Anatomy Of A Deal
In the weeks leading up to the purchase, the seller allowed me to appraise the albums one by one (which took me over a week to do). I entered them all in notebooks. You can see an example of my appraisal below.
Albums are hot right now. Unfortunately, some collectors have an unrealistic idea of what they are worth, but as a buyer, you need to spend a lot of money to buy good collections of rare metal and punk albums. Therefore, I tailor my offers to be at least 50% of the total value as a rule of thumb. I am negotiable up to roughly 60%, but it can be higher under rare circumstances. Above 70% of the total value, the seller would make the same amount of money selling them on eBay individually.
Also, remember that even if the seller were selling it to another party that wasn’t a reseller, the buyer wouldn’t pay the total price for every album; there would be some discount.
Here are some photos from the gem vinyl in the video above. The first video is less than 20% of the collection. I will update this post or create a new one to showcase some of the records. Unfortueny, I can’t make a complete list as I did here of all of them, but feel free to contact me if you are looking for something specific.
Collection Highlights
Some of the my favorite pieces in this collection are as follows. I have timestamped some of the links to take you to exactly the spot in the video where these metal and punk LP appear.
The self-titled Bathory LP (Bathory – Bathory LP 1984 Black Mark Production – BMLP 666-1) with the “yellow goat” album cover is considered one of the “holy grail” scores for heavy and black metal record collectors the globe over. But, unfortunately, it is also one of the most counterfeited records out there because of its value. So let’s find out how not to get fooled into buying a fake, or if you don’t have thousands to spend — what a replica is worth.
Why Is This Album So Valuable?
The first album from Bathory is a landmark album from the metal genre. While it sounds recorded in a garage, it became the template for countless black metal bands afterward. The first thousand copies were pressed independently on Quarthon’s Black Mark Productions with a gold-colored goat on the front cover before being picked up by Combat and Under One Flag for broader distribution. The first press with a yellow goat can fetch $5,000 or some for an authentic copy.
FUN FACT: The original goat was supposed to be gold, but due do budget issues, the fledgling Black Mark Productionslabel had to settle for yellow.
How To Spot A Fake Bathory Album
The iconic artwork for this album is very simple. Therefore there are some very convincing knockoffs available in various markets. Listed below are the main things to be looking for:
Examine the dead wax or the “runout matrix” on the album. It is the engraving in the vinyl after the playing surface. The engraving in a real copy should read as follows on Side A (“Darkness”): 840905GP with BMLP 666 1 A PD-CR Pentagram image] [666 image in pyramid shape] and then on Side B will have this etching 840905GP BMLP 666 1 B PD-CR [Cross image]
The most prolific bootlegs came out in Europe in the mid-1990s. The most common runouts are 666-1, or you may see some copies with nothing in the dead wax at all.
Most of the original pressings came with a printed inner sleeve. However, these can also be faked. Also, some authentic copies may be short an inner sleeve if the original owner lost it.
If the album looks “too new” you should look more carefully. Remember that this album came out in 1984 and is 37 years old at this point. You should expect to see some wear.
If the color looks “wrong”, it is likely a fake. This is a common problem among cheap bootlegs.
Marketplace Safety
Despite how rare this album is and eBay’s policy to not allow the sale of counterfeit albums, there always seem to be 2-3 copies available for $2200-$2500 at any given time. Most likely, they are not authentic, but here is how you stay safe if you want to spend big money.
Contact the seller and inquire about the runoutmatrix. If they don’t respond or refuse to provide it, you should hard pass. You can also request they provide pictures, though they can be difficult to see.
Whether on Discogs or eBay, look for a reputable seller that has many reviews and a lot of items for sale — not someone who could pack up and disappear overnight.
If the seller does not accept returns, you should not buy from them.
Album Artwork
As I said, this iconic album artwork is quite basic. Here are some pictures from one of the common European bootleg pressings. Notice how tough it is to tell if it is fake or authentic.
How Much Is A Yellow Goat Bootleg Worth?
If you want to have a yellow goat Bathory, but don’t feel like forking out two grand, it is totally understandable. If you can get past the moral dilemma of not paying the Quarthon estate, you can get replica copies for 50 bucks, sometimes less.
The Testament, Exodus and Death Angel“The Bay Strikes Back” Tour has been postponed until April 2022, citing the Delta variant of COVID 19. Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick, who is a notorious Libtard, complains “The type of disruptions Kiss and other large outdoor venue tours have experienced could cause our shows to be permanently cancelled – a lose/lose for everyone.”
The guitarist continues…
“The fact that a lower budget tour such as ours is limited to indoor venues with tight backstage space only adds to the risk. It should go without saying that calling off these dates was a ‘last resort’ decision, and everyone involved would much rather this weren’t the case. However, this is the new reality we’re all in.”.
We are quite sure that by 2022, there will be another wave of COVID that will just push this tour back even further. This is the clown world we are living in. It is worth noting, all three bands seem fine with braving the pandemic for a day to play the Aftershock Festival in San Francisco.
2022 The Bay Strikes Back Tour Dates
The rescheduled 2022 tour dates are as follows.
4/9 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Fremont Theater 4/10 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues 4/12 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues 4/13 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues 4/15 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre 4/16 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater 4/19 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom 4/20 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall 4/21 – Austin, TX – Emo’s 4/22 – Dallas, TX -Amplified Live 4/23 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues 4/26 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade 4/27 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz 4/30 – Sayreville, NJ -Starland Ballroom 5/1 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage 5/2 – Boston, MA – House of Blues 5/3 – Philadelphia, PA – Theater of Living Arts 5/5 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount 5/6 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom 5/7 – Cincinnati, OH – Madison Theater 5/9 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE 5/10 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora 5/11 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall 5/12 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre 5/14 – Joliet, IL – The Forge 5/15 – Joliet, IL – The Forge 5/17 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre 5/19 – Denver, CO – Summit 5/20 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
Also reporting difficulties touring is Heathen, saying smaller bands like themselves were unlikely to even find a place on the touring circuit.
This is a collection of some super rare thrash metal CDs and albums from the golden age of thrash metal. I bought them from a collector in Greece. There are albums that are “hard to find”, but many in this collection are out-and-out RARE. Some examples being Slaughter “Strappado” (the original thrash metal band “Slaughter” and not the hair band and Voïvod’s “The Outer Limits” (which was the most expensive album in the collection).
There are also many albums from the 1990’s in this collection. An interesting thing about albums by even big bands like Testament that came out in the 90s is vinyl was so out of fashion by this point, many times there is only one pressing for all countries.
In this particular deal this seller go in touch with me through my Facebook page. This entire deal was made via Facebook Messanger. If you have collection like this you would like to sell, contact me, I do business in California, the United States and around the world.
Just the other day, I was wondering what happened to the San Fransisco thrash metal band Heathen. So after spinning a copy of Breaking The Silence, I decided to find out. It seemed that Heathen has being groomed for success. They were in the right place at the right time (in the Golden Era of thrash metal), they got on all the suitable tours, had big-name rock producers (Ronny Montrose) producing them, and even seemed to be getting a push from the record company?
Breaking The Silence Full Album
So what happened? Why did thrash metal success elude Heathen?
I was aware that the only two albums were Breaking the Silence (1987) and Victims of Deception(1991). Victims came out right as the thrash metal scene was wiped out by grunge, but Breaking the Silencehad a small amount of airplay and even a video for the Sweet cover “Set Me Free” in rotation on Headbangers Ball.
During the “Breaking” heyday of the band, they were plagued with lineup changes, which led to the long period between their first two records. Guitarist (and absolute shedder) Lee Atlus was the only stable member during that time.
Victim Of Deception Full Album
In 2005 Lee Atlus replaced Rick Hunolt on guitar in Exodus, which he still plays with to this day.
Reunions 2009 / 2020
In 2009 the band reunited and released The Evolution Of Chaos. Heathen toured for a few months before again being hit with more lineup changes, which lead to further inactivity.
In 2020, Heathen reformed again and released Empire Of The Blind, though the band is skeptical about how much they will be able to tour to support the album due to the glut of bands wanting to get on the road after COVID.
I decided to wait a bit to update this blog with some of my latest thrash metal finds. The collector I have been buying these from in England has been sending them to me in Los Angels 20 records at a time via DHL. Every deal I make is a bit different when I am buying heavy metal LP, CD, and cassette collections. Especially since the start of the pandemic, I have been doing all of my deals without even meeting the seller — all have been purchased generally via email. Payments are made to sellers via wire, cash, Venmo, or PayPal and I buy from all 50 states and countries all over the world.
Enough with the shop talk, let’s get on to these albums, and there are some great ones. This post is split into 3 videoswith a list of LPs below. There are links to pages and blogs on this site that have more information about the artists and releases.
UK Thrash Metal LPs Video #1
These are the albums listed in the video above and came in the first box the collector in the UK sent me.
Testament – Practise What You Preach G/VG 782 009-1
Voivod – Killing Technology VG/VG N 0058
Voivod – Dimension Hatross G/VG N 0106-1
Voivod – Nothing Face VG/VG MCG 6070
Photo Gallery Of This Collection
Have Some Heavy Metal Albums Like This To Sell?
I am the number one buyer in the world for heavy metal albums, have a large budget to work with, and am professional and easy to deal with. If you have a collection like this you would like to sell, contact me here because I am always looking to buy.
Have A Thrash Metal Collection Like This You’d Like To Sell?
The collector has a large collection, but only wants to part with it a little at a time, which is fine by me other than having to pay all of the additional shipping. I buy a heavy metal CD and vinyl collections all over the world. If you have a collection like this to sell get hold of me here…
Have A Heavy Metal Collection Like This You’d Like To Sell?
If you have a collection like this I am always looking to buy them. I am located in Los Angeles buy I buy collections all over the United States and all over the world – hit me up if you have one like this – here is my contact information.
The standout in the collection was three copies of Death’s “Scream Bloody Gore” (all original 1987 pressings). In addition, the was one original U.S. Combat Records pressing, one Under One Flag European pressing, and one French pressing on N.E.W. Musicdisc. The complete list of records is in the list below.
The bulk was an impressive selection of death metal CDs, including many very rare and expensive ones, also in the list below.
12” Death Metal LPs
Vice Human – Metal Attack 1985 Media VG+ Sleeve G+/VG
Cannabis Corpse – Blunted at Birth 2006 Forcefield records Bloodshot Red
Death – Scream Bloody Gore 1987 Combat VG+/VG+
Death – Scream Bloody Gore 1987 Under One Flag VG+/VG+
Death – Scream Bloody Gore 1987 N.E.W Musidisc VG/VG+
Death – Leprosy 2014 Relapse Black Vinyl
Desultor – Masters Of Hate 2012 Abyss Records 1st press limited to 100 numbered Clear Red Vinyl. (number 28/100)
Desultor – Masters Of Hate 2012 Abyss Records 1st press limited to 100 numbered Clear Red Vinyl. (number 29/100)
Devoid – Blackened Empire 1991 Skysaw Records Media (VG), Sleeve (G)
Dissect – Swallow Swouming Mass 2013 Xtreem Music limited to 100 on Black Wax Splattered In Orange
Morbus Chron – Sleepers in the Rift 2012 Me Saco Un Ojo limited 200 White vinyl
If you have a collection of death metal, thrash metal, hard rock or heavy metal CDs, LPs, records, tapes of memorabilia, I am always looking to buy collections, contact me.
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