The video below has everything you need to know about Michael Ekholm of the band Enki. He is the scammer selling fake skull fragments and letters from Dead (legal name Per Yngve Ohlin, aka “Pelle”) of the black metal band Mayhem.
He is desperately deleting his social media profiles and all evidence of his crime. Members of Dead’s family are pursuing criminal and civil cases against him.
My Story
On December 2, 2025, Michael Ekholm of the band Enki emailed me offering to buy skull fragments and original letters from Mayhem’s fallen frontman, “Dead,” and Varg Vinkerenes.
At first, I declined, but over time, he kept contacting me with lower and lower prices. On January 26, 2026, the price got so low that I decided to take a chance on it at €850.
After receiving them, I made a few attempts to verify their authenticity, but I got mixed opinions. Ultimately, the letters sat in my drawer for almost a year before I decided to do something with them again. I put them up for sale at a low price, with a caveat. I didn’t know for sure whether that was real.
After I received them, I learned they were inauthentic from an interesting source: the seller himself!
He’s been at this since at least 2019. Others have posted videos about him:
Michael Ekholm Info
This is all the information I’ve collected about Michael Ekholm. I will continue to update it below as more comes in. If you’d like me to add anything, contact me.
Name: Michael Ekholm
Associations: Plays in the depressive black metal band Enki. Enki is a Swedish one-man atmospheric and depressive suicidal black metal (DSBM) act from Haninge/Stockholm, formed in 2017.
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 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), and many still carry the 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 theYellow 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] – 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 of the U.S. press are preferred 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.
Los Angeles, CA — July 27, 2026 — Thrash Metal IQ, the Los Angeles-based specialist in underground metal vinyl, memorabilia, and rare collectibles, has made available three of the most significant primary artifacts from the early Norwegian black metal scene ever offered publicly.
These pieces represent some of the scarcest material connected to the formative years of Norwegian black metal. Original handwritten documents and personal relics linked to Dead and the Mayhem/Burzum orbit almost never appear on the open market. Each item is offered with its accompanying documentation and is presented strictly as a historical collectible.
Photos
All three items are available now at thrashmetaliq.com/shop. Serious inquiries are welcome.
About Thrash Metal IQ: Thrash Metal IQ specializes in the buying and selling of underground metal collections, with a focus on black metal, death metal, thrash, and related rare pressings, reissues, and memorabilia. Based in the Los Angeles area, the company serves collectors worldwide.
Thrash Metal IQ is proud to announce the arrival of one of the most anticipated black metal reissues of 2026:
Grand Belial’s Key – Kosherat Weltenfeind – WFP024 2x Etched 20th Anniversary Edition LP. This double-vinyl set marks the 20th anniversary of Kosherat, the cult album that further cemented Grand Belial’s Key’s reputation for razor-sharp, misanthropic black metal laced with their signature sardonic edge and blasphemous venom. Long sought after by collectors, this special 2x black vinyl edition features a striking etched D-side.
Why This Edition Rules:
20th Anniversary pressing – properly done by Weltenfeind
2xLP format with etched designs on side D
Strictly limited run – these will sell out fast
Perfect addition for fans of NSBM & black metal purists,
If you’ve been waiting for a worthy vinyl pressing of Kosherat, this is it. The sound is vicious, the presentation is elite, and the availability is extremely limited.
In the video below, I go through a huge collection of over 800 racist NSBM, black, and death metal LPs that I bought for $9,000. This purchase nearly got me banned from eBay.
Like I usually do, I watched the videos and appraised the collection. After that, I asked the seller for an exact album count. At first, he thought he had about 1,000 albums, but after counting, he found there were just over 700.
He told me he had more albums he wasn’t including because they were so extreme that he thought no one would want them. At Thrash Metal IQ, we believe in free speech and don’t censor artists from any side. I said I’d be happy to buy them, so he added them to the deal.
After I listed these albums on eBay, I started running into problems. Usually, you can sell “banned on Discogs” stuff on eBay without much trouble. I managed to sell most of them, but it soon became clear that someone was reporting my listings.
What stood out was that they weren’t reporting the well-known sketchy bands. I started getting flagged for bands like Moontower, Volthana, and Grausamkeit, which are more obscure and harder for AI to catch. That’s when I realized someone was manually reporting me. After all my Grand Belial’s Key and Goatmoon albums got banned, I moved my more controversial releases to the Thrash Metal IQ store.
The Wait / Year Delay
Since many of the records in this collection were pretty new, I could buy a lot of them from distributorsfor almost the same price I paid him. I decided to hold onto the collection for a while. There were plenty of out-of-print gems, but I could still get many of these wholesale for about what I paid.
Before I knew it, a year had gone by. When I finally started listing the albums, many had sold out, and their prices had shot up. I didn’t make a fortune on this deal, but I did pretty well.
The Highlights
Check out some of the highlights from this collection below.
Mütiilation / Drowning The Light / Satanic Warmaster
Mütiilation / Drowning The Light / Satanic Warmaster – Dark Hymns LP (2007) EX/EX – Ultra-rare 3-way black metal split LP limited to just 100 copies. Features raw, atmospheric tracks from the French cult act Mütiilation, the Australian depressive/suicidal black metal project Drowning The Light, and the Finnish legend Satanic Warmaster. Released by Dark Adversary / Goatowarex in 2007, this highly sought-after release comes in a dual-printed sleeve with two posters.
Condition = Excellent (EX/EX) — plays great with minimal wear.
Value = $1000
Mütiilation / Deathspell Omega – Split 10″ LP
Mütiilation / Deathspell Omega – Split 10″ LP (2001, End All Life Productions EAL 025, VG+)
This highly sought-after French black metal split features raw, atmospheric, and blasphemous tracks from two legendary black metalists. Limited to 400 numbered copies, it showcases Mütiilation’s grim, depressive style alongside early Deathspell Omega material (tracks later compiled on Manifestations 2000-2001).
Pressed on 10″ vinyl at 33⅓ RPM, it’s a cult classic for fans of raw, intense black metal. The copy is in strong VG+ condition (light wear on vinyl and sleeve).
Value = $400
Mütiilation / Deathspell Omega – Split 10″ LP
LMoonblood / Deathspell Omega – Split LP 2000 Sombre Records – SOMBRE LP 006 VG+ – Limited to 350 hand-numbered copies in a gatefold sleeve with printed lyrics. This joint release with End All Life Productions (EAL 017) is a classic of the early 2000s black metal underground, bridging raw/traditional and more intricate styles. VG+ condition with light wear.
Value = $400
Grand Belial’s Key – Mocking the Philanthropist LP
Grand Belial’s Key – Mocking the Philanthropist (2016 Drakkar Productions Picture Disc LP, NM condition).
This is a limited-edition gatefold double LP picture disc reissue of the band’s cult 1997 black metal debut album. Released by Drakkar Productions (DKLP015) in 2016 as part of their series of picture vinyl editions, it features striking full-color artwork printed directly on the vinyl.
Value = $300
Cradle of Filth – Midian Picture Disc LP
Cradle of Filth – Midian Picture Disc LP (2004, Vinyl Maniacs – VMLP025) This is a limited-edition picture disc reissue of Cradle of Filth’s iconic 2000 symphonic black/gothic metal album Midian. Released in Sweden by Vinyl Maniacs (catalog VMLP025). The vinyl album’s artwork is inspired by Clive Barker’s Cabal and pressed directly onto the disc. Condition note (EX / *SE): Excellent condition, Swedish pressing.
Iconic debut album from the mysterious Polish atmospheric black metal act Batushka. This limited-edition picture disc LP was released by Witching Hour Productions in 2016 (catalog EVIL 079). The vinyl features striking imagery pressed directly into the disc, making it a highly collectible item for fans of the band’s dark, ceremonial sound.
Condition: NM (Near Mint)
Value = $220
Dissection – Storm of the Light’s Bane LP
Dissection – Storm of the Light’s Bane LP (2022, Munhwa Records [Orange], EX/NM SE) – This 2022 Munhwa Records (CREATO-3761 / MHLR-1995) reissue features orange vinyl in a limited/special-edition pressing (unofficial/bootleg release). Housed in a gatefold jacket with classic artwork and lyrics. Condition: EX/NM (Excellent/Near Mint)
Value = $200
Cradle of Filth – Dusk & Her Embrace Picture Disc LP
Cradle of Filth – Dusk & Her Embrace Picture Disc LP (2004, Vinyl Maniacs, UK) – Iconic symphonic black metal masterpiece from Cradle of Filth, originally released in 1996. This 2004 UK picture disc reissue (Vinyl Maniacs VMLP023) features the classic 9-track album pressed on a full-color picture disc with the band’s signature gothic artwork.
Value = $200
Mayhem – Wolf’s Lair Abyss LP
Mayhem – Wolf’s Lair Abyss LP Picture Disc (1997, Misanthropy Records CPD 021, VG+) – Iconic 1997 black metal mini-album from the legendary Norwegian band Mayhem. This limited picture disc edition captures the band’s ferocious post-“De Mysteriis” era with Maniac on vocals
Value = $200
Do You Have A Collection Like This TO Sell?
No lowball offers, no haggling headaches. Just fair, fast offers from a fellow metalhead who actually respects the music.
Ebay has gone to war with NSBM (National Socialist Black Metal). I distribute a small number of titles, including Grand Belial’s Key for Weltenfeind Records. By and large, eBay has been allowing sales of various “NSBM” bands, such as Goatmoon, Grand Belial’s Key, and Vothana.
While eBay has always targeted certain bands like Burzum (because of Varg’s politics, not lyrical content), Absurd, and Der Sturmer, it has allowed sales of some bands that are less in-your-face or have no overt Nazi imagery.
That has all changed. Grand Belial’s Key is now persona non grata on eBay. Say what you like about the band’s politics, you can’t argue that the riffs aren’t divine! No wonder they are a top seller with so many black metal fans!
Screenshot
Ebay has either been taken over by Antifa or is running some type of AI that is going crazy flagging listings for anything further right than Creedence Clearwater Revival. An innocuous copy of Death In June was recently triggered by the “offensive music filter” as Nazi, even though it’s 80’s synth pop. I guess the little skull-and-crossbones cartoon on the cover was too much for it.
EBay’s Offensive Music Policy Specifics
Below is the verbiage of eBay’s offensive music policy:
A simple read of this would apply to all black/death metal and extreme metal bands, as religion is a common target for most extreme bands. Although nobody seems to get their feather ruffled when it is Christians who are being targeted.
It’s pretty clear that things will not get better from here. It won’t be long before bands with even tertiary associations with NSBM, like MGLA or Deathspell Omega, are on the out list.
Summary
Already Flagged / Removed by eBay
Grand Belial’s Key (GBK) — Primary focus; one of his top sellers for years. All listings suddenly pulled. Lyrics target Judaism (seen as crossing a line).
Graveland — 1992 demo (pagan/black metal, limited white vinyl). Not overtly NSBM
Death in June — Flagged quickly, possibly due to skull/crossbones imagery.
Moon Tower, Vulturno, and Darker than Black releases — Triggered complaints/flags.
Heavily Restricted
Burzum — Long-restricted (Varg’s history + church burnings policy). AI now detects artwork/logos.
Goatmoon — Some sketchy lyrics on certain albums; later works look more pagan but still at risk.
Obviously Avoided (Never Listed)
Der Stürmer — Too overtly Nazi; not even attempted on eBay.
eBay’s policies (hate content + crime-related) are hitting underground black metal hard, especially anything perceived as NSBM or anti-Jewish, while much of the broader black metal scene remains at risk.
What Are We Going To Do?
We are in the process of pulling all of our more controversial listings from Ebay and moving them to our online store. While this will be a lot of work, there are quite a few upsides:
No more censorship. We decide what we want to sell.
Our prices will be lower. Ebay takes 20% of our money. We will pass those savings on to you.
The same great free, fast shipping, and customer service at a lower price.
ScreenshotOurr
Our New Store is Open
It will take some time for our new store to be completely stocked. By no means do we intend for it just to be a clearinghouse for NSBM, but we have to start somewhere.
This month’s update is a bit different from many of our past updates, as it has a lot of non-metal stuff, as you can see in the video below.
The acquisition of these LPs was a bit different than most. Primarily, I buy metal collections by mail. I usually never meet the seller. In this instance, a guy from the Los Angeles area called me and walked into the store with the records he was selling.
He said his girlfriend had acquired a large collection from a big-time collector who had just passed away. They were getting tired of selling them one by one themselves and wanted to get rid of them in bulk. As I have emphasized many times on this blog, selling a large collection could be a full-time job. I can take five or six years to accomplish. Even then, not everything in the collection will sell.
The first batch was all amazing records and crazy condition, many of them from the 60s and 70s that were still sealed. There was an amazing Nirvana LP in near-mint condition, NM “butcher baby’ Beatles records, sealed Rolling Stones, rare punk gems, and more. What was interesting about these records is that almost everything in the lot was worth more than $100.
Since then, I have purchased two more small collections from this guy, all of which were the same caliber. Rather than boring you with a protracted story, let’s take a look at some of the gems below.
Standout Holy Grail Records
Here are some of the craziest pieces from this haul.
Albert King – Born Under a Bad Sign LP
Albert King – Born Under a Bad Sign LP 1967 Stax – S723 [FACTORY SEALED] – Original 1967 first pressing of Albert King’s most famous album is worth money, not sealed. This copy is factory-sealed, the colors look amazing, and it’s hard to believe it’s almost 60 years old.
Value = $550
Marilyn Manson – Mechanical Animals LP
Marilyn Manson – Mechanical Animals LP 1998 Nothing Records [Blue/White] – Issued as two separate LPs there are sold together. Original pressings go for a pretty penny and are nearly impossible to find.
Value = $550
Black Sabbath – Paranoid LP
Black Sabbath – Paranoid LP 1970 Vertigo – 6360 011 EX/NM *UK [1st Repress] – This is the first repress of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”. While this is technically a first UK pressing, the actual first pressing includes the band’s management in the gatefold credits. The original run sold out so quickly. The repress omits any references to Black Sabbath’s original manager, Jim Simpson.
Value = $500
Patti Smith – Peace And Noise LP
Patti Smith – Peace And Noise LP 1997 Arista – 07822-18986-1 [Factory Sealed] – This album is limited to 1000 copies and is already worth a bunch. Factory-sealed makes it even rarer and more expensive.
Value = $450
Nirvana – MTV Unplugged In New York LP
Nirvana – MTV Unplugged In New York LP 1994 DGC 24727 [1st Press/White] – This album looked so new you could swear it came out of a time machine. It sold immediately on discogs. The customer asked me to check the runout in the wax. I knew it was correct because the album looked so legit; I knew it was the real McCoy.
Value = $400
The Rolling Stones – England’s Newest Hitmakers LP
The Rolling Stones – England’s Newest Hitmakers LP 1964 London [SEALED] [MONO] – Factory sealed from 1964. These albums weren’t stored in plastic sleeves, so I have no idea how they stayed in this good condition.
Value = $350
Bad Religion – Back To the Known EP
Bad Religion – Back To the Known EP 1985 Epitaph – BREP 2 [1ST PRESS] – This punk rock classic was a bit more beat up than many LPs from this collection, but is a score nonetheless.
Value = $340
Edmond Bordeaux / Norma Jean Nilsson – Journey Through a Thousand Meditations LP
Edmond Bordeaux / Norma Jean Nilsson – Journey Through a Thousand Meditations LP – I didn’t think this expensive, ambient, experimental album from Mexico would sell. It sold within minutes of being posted on Discogs. Go figure!
Value = $300
Thin Lizzy – Fighting LP
Thin Lizzy – Fighting LP 1976 Mercury [Signed by Scott & Brian w/ 8×10] – Signed by two of the members that are still alive. If it were signed by Phil Lynott, it would have been worth a fortune!
A few months ago, a collector in New Jersey hit me up about a small- to medium-sized black metal CD collection he was looking to sell. I asked him a basic question about it. He asked if I bought cassettes or other metal swag, which I do. He added some cassettes and black metal tapestries to what he was selling, and I added some money to the deal.
When it came to shipping, there was a small misunderstanding about how to use USPS Media Mail, so I gave him a quick call to walk him through it. During that phone call, it became obvious to me that the seller was Black. Of course, race doesn’t matter to me, but you’ll see how this plays into the story next.
It had been a bit of time since I fished the quote on this collection. When it arrived, I totally forgot how much NSBM was in it, including such “racist” bands as Goatmoon, Grand Belial’s Key, Clandestine Blaze, and others. I do not censor or “cancel” bands based on ideology and sell everything from the furthest left (Dead Kennedys, Aus Rotten) to the hardest of the right (Dark Fury, Der Sturmer).
Highlights From This Collection
There was a lot of great stuff in this collection, but here are some of the highlights.
Satanic Warmaster / Archgoat – Lux Satanae CD
Satanic Warmaster / Archgoat – Lux Satanae CD 2016 Hells Headbangers – HELLS130 – This split with Satanic Warmaster and Archgoat is easily one of the most sought-after black metal CDs released in the last ten years. I’m not sure why Hell’s Headbangers hasn’t repressed/reissued this release, since they could be selling thousands of these things. The limited quantity works for me because it caused aftermarket prices to skyrocket.
Value = $100
Immortal – Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism CD
Immortal – Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism CD 1992 Osmose OPCD 007 [1st Press] *FR – This CD has been reissued many times, and most pressings aren’t worth that much. In light of how big Immortal would eventually become in the black metal world, first pressings are worth a bunch. The disc itself contains “Made in Germany” and “GEMA” markings, which are not present on any other pressings. The 5th track is misspelled on the disc and back cover (“Cold Winds Of Feneral Dust”). In the booklet, the printed title is the correct one (Cold Winds Of Funeral Dust).
Value = $70
Cephalotripsy – Epigenetic Neurogenesis CD
Cephalotripsy – Epigenetic Neurogenesis CD 2024 Self-Released [Rare] – Pictured is the first pressing of this release. The second press in the Japanese issue. According to the band, it is limited to 500 copies. While this is a very recent release, it’s already worth money due to its limited quantity.
Value = $63
Death – Scream Bloody Gore CD
Death – Scream Bloody Gore CD 1987 Combat – 88561-8146-2 [2ND PRESS] – There are two pressings from 1987. The second press (pictured above) has a tracklist laid out with no “Side 1/Side 2”. The actual first pressing has a track listing laid out like the vinyl (pictured below). Both are from 1987.
Value = $63
Goatmoon – Stella Polaris CD
Goatmoon – Stella Polaris CD 2017 Werewolf Records – EVIL-039 [1st Press Etched] – First pressing with etched CD case. Subsequent pressings do not include etching.
Value = $50
Abysmal Lord -Disciples of the Inferno CD
Abysmal Lord -Disciples of the Inferno CD 2015 Hells Headbangers – hells 165 – This is another recent release. Because Hell’s Headbangers never reissues anything, the aftermarket prices are through the roof.
Check out the video below to see one of my best finds ever. I picked up a collection of more than 2,300 super-rare black and death metal CDs from a collector in Oregon.
A few months ago, the seller got in touch and sent me photos of over 2,000 CDs he had collected. The pictures gave me a good idea of the music styles and years. About 80% of it was black metal from the late 1990s to around 2012. Some of the labels were JBL America, No Fashion, Head Not Hound, Osmose, and No Colours, among others. There were virtually no major-label releases of stuff like Van Halen, System of a Down, or Iron Maiden. From his description, I could tell he had some great stuff, so I offered $8,000 to buy the collection, and he agreed.
I left Los Angeles around 10 PM the night before, drove up to Lodi, and checked into a hotel. Lodi seems like a small, quiet town, but there are quite a few homeless people and drug users around. I was a little worried that my truck might get broken into.
The next morning, we met near the interstate. We chatted for a few minutes, and I took a quick look through the CDs in the bins. I agreed to pay him and sent the money through Venmo, since we weren’t doing the deal by mail. We didn’t have to worry about PayPal’s buyer protection because we were handling everything in person.
I didn’t get a chance to look through the CDs until I got home, and was amazed by how many rare albums I found. There were lots of first pressings from Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, and plenty of other lesser-known bands that are just as valuable.
You’ll notice there was also a fair amount of NSBM in the collection. I don’t get too worked up about black metal bands with extreme views. I believe in free speech and carry releases from all sides, from the far left to the far right. Honestly, when you listen to a black metal CD, you usually can’t make out the lyrics, and you wouldn’t know if it was NSBM or a Christian band unless you already knew the band.
The collection was so big that I couldn’t fit everything into one video for my YouTube channel, so I split it into two parts. I still haven’t had time to go through everything, and have about half left to sort through.
The Highlights
There was a ton of amazing stuff in this haul. Here are some of the highlights.
Burzum – Aske CD
Burzum – Aske CD 1993, Deathlike Silence Productions – anti-mosh 005 – This CD was in the collection and in perfect condition. It is easily the most valuable CD I’ve ever acquired. Pictured above is a first pressing of Burzum’s “Aske” on DeathLike Silence Records from 1995. The runout matrix on the back of the disc is correct (DURECO [01] ANTIMOSH CD 5.
Value $1000
Enslaved – Vikingligr Veldi CD
Enslaved – VikValue $1000ingligr Veldi CD 1994 Deathlike Silence Anti Mosh 008 – Here is another big one also on Deathlike Silence records. The real first pressings of the CD are virtually identical to the represses. However, the first pressings do not include a barcode (pictured above).
Value $250
Old Man’s Child – Born Of The Flickering CD
Old Man’s Child – Born Of The Flickering CD 1996 Hot Records – SHAGRATH 003 – The debut album by the newly reformed Old Man’s Child on the now-defunct Hot Records is extremely rare. Born of the Flickering has been repressed and reissued many times, but the originals fetch a pretty penny.
Value $200
Dimmu Borgir – For All Tid CD
Dimmu Borgir – For All Tid CD 1995 No Colours Records NC 003 – “For All Tid” is Dimmu Borgir’s debut album and has been repressed 1 million times by a host of different record labels. The original German No Colours release is the one you want, goes for a ton, and doesn’t sit on the shelf for long.
Value $150
Under a Funeral Moon – Darkthrone CD
Under a Funeral Moon – Darkthrone CD 1993 Peaceville – Vile 35CD [1st Press] *UK – another CD that has 1 million different versions, the most valuable of which is the first UK pressing. You can tell by the back cover pictured above.
Value $150
Darkthrone – Transilvanian Hunger CD
Darkthrone – Transilvanian Hunger CD 1994 Fierce Recordings – 9086-11060-2 – first pressing US contained the now infamous phrase “Norsk Arisk Black Metal” which translates from Norwegian into “pure Aryan black metal”. This caused some controversy and was removed on subsequent pressings. The band claimed it had nothing to do with far-right politics and that it was simply “pure black metal”.
Obtained Enslavement – Centuries of Sorrow CD 1994 Likstøy Music – oe 941 – This band is fairly obscure. This release hasn’t been reissued many times, but what makes it so valuable is that the originals are nearly impossible to find.
Value $125
Gris – Il Était Une Forêt… CD
Gris – Il Était Une Forêt… CD 2007 Sepulchral Productions – SP008 – This depressive black metal gem from Canada will put a nice hole in your bank account.
Value $100
Gorgoroth – Pentagram CD
Gorgoroth – Pentagram CD 1994 Wild Rags Records – WRR 061 [1st Press US]– Wild Rags Records was an iconic Southern California record store and label that released a great number of important underground releases in the 1990s. It has subsequently gone out of business. Many of the bands on Wild Rags roster went on to do huge things.
Mayhem – Deathcrush CD
Mayhem – Deathcrush CD 1994 Deathlike Silence – DSP Anti-Mosh 003 [1st Press] – this debut by Mayhem has over 100 different versions, many of which are hard to distinguish. The first pressing is the one shown above from Deathlike Silence Records. You can recognize it because it does not have a barcode, while many of the early all-DLS repressings, including some from that same year, do.
ThrashMetalIQ has expanded our online retail options onto Discogs. We are offering a limited selection of items we have for sale on eBay. Due to lower Discogs selling fees, you can find some of our inventory for sale at lower prices than on eBay.
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