Collection of 200 Holy Grail Heavy Metal LPs from the 1980s I Bought for $ 3,800

The video below shows an excellent heavy metal LP collection I bought by mail from a guy in Chicago. 

It includes roughly 200 original 1980s thrash and heavy metal LPs for $3,800—about $18 each shipped. On certain records, this is a steal; on older records in worse condition, it’s a bit of a loss, which brings up the point that you’re actually paying for the good ones in the end.

I came across this when the seller sent me a list and some photos of a collection he wanted to sell. I asked him how much he wanted for it, and he said four grand. Honestly, if I had appraised it myself, I would’ve gone a bit higher, but you can’t fault me for playing what he’s asking!

Original List From Seller

Below is the original list of everything included in the collection with approximate grading sent to me by the seller

Over half the records are excellent (some would call them near-mint), many still carrying original shrink, hype stickers, and inserts. For records that are 35–40 years old, that’s rare. I’m conservative with older vinyl grading. I don’t throw “near mint” around lightly on 40-year-old records, but a big portion of this lot is legitimately excellent.

The Standouts

There are too many holy Grails to mention from this collection, but let’s look at some of the highlights.

Metallica – Ride The Lightning LP

Metallica – Ride The Lightning LP 1984 Megaforce – MRI 769 EX/EX [SILVER LABEL] – Original U.S. Megaforce first press — the pre-Elektra silver label, not the later gray-label Megaforce or the Elektra reissue. Catalog MRI 769. This is the pressing collectors actually hunt: silver center labels with the Megaforce address, Frankford/Wayne mastering, and the back-cover typo “For Whom The Bells Toll.”

Value = $850

Slauter Xstroyes – Winter Kill LP

Slauter Xstroyes – Winter Kill LP 1985 Self-Released EX/VG+ [w/ Insert] – Original 1985 private-press LP from Chicago. No label, no catalog number — just the band putting 500 copies out themselves after recording at Star Trax in Orland Park. This is the real first press, not the later Monster or Cult Metal Classics reissues.

Technical U.S. power/prog metal with real weight: Paul Kratky’s guitar work, Brent Sullivan’s bass, and John Stewart’s vocals on tracks like Winter Kill, City of Sirtel, Black Rose and Thorns, and Mother, Mother Fucker. The kind of record that never sounded like anyone else on the Midwestern circuit.

Value = $800

Bathory – Bathory LP

Bathory – Bathory LP 1985 Combat – MX 8050 [1st Press US Green Labels] EX/VG+ – Next to the Yellow Goat, the original U.S. Combat first press with green labels is what collectors want over the later camo-label copies. Catalog MX 8050. This pressing did not include a printed lyric inner.

Value = $500

Salem’s Wych – Betrayer Of Kings LP

Salem’s Wych – Betrayer Of Kings LP 1986 Metal War Records – MWR 001 EX/VG+ – Original 1986 Metal War first press from Bridgman, Michigan — catalog MWR 001. This is the official vinyl. Later CD and LP versions floating around are bootlegs.

Value = $400

Sodom – Obsessed By Cruelty LP

Sodom – Obsessed By Cruelty LP 1986 Metal Blade MBR 1073 [SHINK W/ HYPE] EX/EX – This is the pressing that matters to collectors: Metal Blade accidentally issued the rejected first Berlin recording, not the later German Steamhammer recut. No After the Deluge on this version. Raw Teutonic black/thrash from Angelripper, Witchhunter, and Destructor — Deathlike Silence, Proselytism Real, Obsessed By Cruelty, Witchhammer, Volcanic Slut. Rear sleeve track list is wrong, as issued.

Value = $350

Slayer – Show No Mercy LP

Slayer – Show No Mercy LP 1983 Metal Blade MBR 1013 EX/EX [Tan Label/OG Shrink] – Original U.S. Metal Blade first press — tan labels, no barcode, 10-song track list. Sides marked 6 and 66. Runout etching: “SATAN LAUGHS AS YOU ETERNALLY ROT.” Double-sided lyric/photo insert included.

Value = $300

Candlemass – Epicus Doomicus Metallicus LP

Candlemass – Epicus Doomicus Metallicus LP 1986 Black Dragon – BD 013 EX/EX *FR – Original French Black Dragon first press — BD 013. Made in France, distributed by New Rose. This is the debut issue, not a later barcode repress or the U.S. Leviathan license.

Value = $270

Megadeth – Killing Is My Business LP

Megadeth – Killing Is My Business LP 1985 Combat [Green Label w OG Hype Sticker] – Original U.S. Combat first press with green labels — MX 8015. Original hype sticker still on the sleeve (“featuring ex-Metallica songwriter and guitarist Dave Mustaine”). Printed lyric/photo inner included. Green-label Combat with the original hype sticker is the copy collectors want, not the later camo-label run.

Value = $250

Bathory – The Return – LP

Bathory – The Return – LP 1985 Combat ‎- MX 8041 EX/EX [OG Shrink w/ Inners] – Original U.S. Combat press — MX 8041. Still in original shrink with the printed lyric/credit inner.

Value = $250

Possessed – Seven Churches LP

Possessed – Seven Churches LP 1985 Combat – MX 8024 [Green Labels] EX/VG+ – Original U.S. Combat first press with green labels — MX 8024. Embossed “Seven Churches” on the front. Spine still has the factory typo: “Curches.” Printed lyric/photo inner included.

Value = $250

Slayer ‎– Reign In Blood LP

Slayer – Reign In Blood LP (1986 Def Jam GHS 24131) EX/NM [Shrink & Hype Stickers]

Original U.S. Def Jam / Geffen first press — GHS 24131 – Still in factory shrink with the original hype stickers, including the “language which may be unsuitable” warning. Printed Def Jam lyric inner included.

Value = $250

Whiplash – Power And Pain LP

Whiplash – Power And Pain LP 1986 Roadracer ‎– GWD90533 [OG SHINK W/ HYPE] EX/NM – Original U.S. Roadracer / Greenworld press — GWD90533. Still in factory shrink with the original hype sticker. Full-size lyric/credit insert included.

Value = $180

Celtic Frost – Emperor’s Return EP

Celtic Frost – Emperor’s Return EP 1985 Metal Blade 72066-1 [w/ Hype Sticker] EX – Original U.S. Metal Blade / Enigma 12″ — MBR 1048 / 72066-1. Original hype sticker on the wrap. One-sided lyric insert included (as issued — no lyrics printed for Morbid Tales or Suicidal Winds).

Five tracks, 21 minutes, the bridge between Morbid Tales and To Mega Therion. Reed St. Mark’s first appearance on Circle of the Tyrants, Visual Aggression, and Suicidal Winds; Steve Priestly on the two Caet Studio leftovers. Tom G. Warrior, Martin Ain, Phil Lawvere cover. Dedicated to Hirax.

Value = $170

Dark Angel ‎– Darkness Descends LP

Dark Angel ‎– Darkness Descends LP 1986 Combat – 88561-8114-1 [OG Shrink] EX/EX – Original U.S. Combat press — 88561-8114-1. Still in factory shrink. Printed lyric inner included.

Value = $170

Exodus ‎– Bonded By Blood LP

Exodus ‎– Bonded By Blood LP 1985 Combat ‎– MX 8019 [1st Press Green Label] VG+ – Original U.S. first press — Torrid TOR 666 / Combat MX 8019 with green Combat labels. Printed lyric/photo inner included. Green-label Combat/Torrid copies U.S. press are prefered over the later camo-label.

Value = $160

Mercyful Fate ‎– Melissa LP

Mercyful Fate ‎– Melissa LP 1983 Megaforce ‎– MRI-369 [w/ RARE INSERT] VG+/VG+ – Original U.S. Megaforce first press — MRI-369. Includes the original printed lyric insert that most copies do not have.

Value = $160

King Diamond – Fatal Portrait LP

King Diamond – Fatal Portrait LP 1986 Roadrunner GWD90529 [Shrink w/ Hype] EX/EX – Original U.S. Roadracer / Greenworld first press — GWD90529. Still in factory shrink with the original red hype sticker. Double-sided lyric insert included.

Value = $150

Have A Collection Like This To Sell?

I am always looking to buy metal, CD, tape or Vinyl collections of any size. Hit me up with the information below.

Want To Sell Your Metal Records Or CDs? I Pay More Than Anyone!