2023 Archives

Posted on December 28, 2023December 28, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

Top Selling New Metal Heavy Metal CDs and Albums 2023

Top Selling New Metal CDs and Albums 2023 at Thrash Metal IQ

While this blog usually focuses on rare metal collections I buy from around the world, as a music retailer, we sell many brand-new titles from various metal labels, including Metal Blade, Hells Headbangers, High Roller Records, and Osmose Productions. The following is a list of the top 50 titles, as ranked by number of sales for 2023.

Tops Sellers 2023

Mercyful Fate – Melissa CD 2020 Metal Blade – 3984-15681-2 [Gatefold Digipak]

Mercyful Fate – Don’t Break The Oath CD 2020 Metal Blade – [Gatefold Digipak]

Blood Incantation – Hidden History Of The Human Race CD Dark Descent – DDR 236

Cannibal Corpse – Tomb Of The Mutilated LP 2022 Metal Blade [Red/White Swirl]

Cannibal Corpse – Eaten Back To Life CD 2017 Metal Blade 3984-14425-2 SEALED

King Diamond – “Them” CD 2020 Metal Blade – 3984-15677-2 [Gatefold Digipak]

Bathory – Bathory LP 2004 Black Mark Production – BMLP666-1 [180 Gram Sweden]

Goatmoon – Finnish Steel Storm CD 2018 Werewolf Records – EVIL009 [SEALED] *FN

Bathory – Under The Sign Of The Black Mark LP 2014 Black Mark BMLP66 Sweden 180G

King Diamond – Abigail CD 2020 Metal Blade – 3984-15676-2 [Gatefold Digisleeve]

Black Flag – My War LP 2020 SST Records – SST 023 [SEALED]

NOFX – The Decline LP 1999 Fat Wreck Chords – FAT605-1

Sacrifice – Torment In Fire CD 2022 Shadow Kingdom – SKR190CD [Sealed]

NOFX – The War On Errorism LP 2003 Fat Wreck Chords FAT657-1 [SEALED]

Face To Face – Face To Face LP 2016 Fat Wreck Chords – FAT 970-1 [SEALED]

Pantera – The Great Southern Trendkill LP 2021 EastWest Records [Orange Marbled]

Powerwolf – The History Of Heresy I (2004-2008) CD 2014 Metal Blade [3 CD Box ]

Mgla – Exercise In Futility CD 2018 Northern Heritage NH-089 [Sealed] [Finland]

NOFX – I Heard They Suck Live!! LP 1995 Fat Wreck FAT 0528-1 [SEALED] 1ST PRESS

Propagandhi – How To Clean Everything LP 2013 Fat Wreck Chords – FAT911-1 SEALED

Cannibal Corpse – Butchered At Birth LP 2022 Metal Blade [Clear & Black Vinyl]

Gwar – Phallus In Wonderland DVD 2015 Metal Blade Records – 3984-34071-9

Cannibal Corpse – Eaten Back To Life LP 2021 Metal Blade

Sacrifice – Soldiers Of Misfortune CD 2022 Shadow Kingdom – SKR192CD [Sealed]

Goatmoon – What Once Was… Shall Be Again CD 2023 Werewolf Records – EVIL-097

Beherit – The Oath Of Black Blood CD 2020 Nuclear War Now ANTI-GOTH 500 [Sealed]

NOFX – Wolves In Wolves’ Clothing LP 2006 Fat Wreck Chords – FAT711-1

Blood Incantation – Starspawn CD 2016 Dark Descent – DDR157CD [SEALED]

Behemoth – The Satanist LP 2021 Metal Blade 3984-15213-1 [LTD 2x Clear Vinyl]

Rudimentary Peni Death Church LP 2022 Sealed Records – SEAL-014 [Brand New] UK

Grave – You’ll Never See… LP 2022 Cosmic Key – CKC069 [Oxblood Swirl] *NL NEW

Sacrifice – Forward To Termination CD 2022 Shadow Kingdom – SKR191CD [Sealed]

Beherit – Drawing Down the Moon CD 2023 Nuclear War Now – ANTI-GOTH 600 [Sealed]

X-Cops – You Have The Right To Remain Silent CD 2023 Brutal Planet – BPCD1611

Protector – A Shedding Of Skin CD 2020 High Roller – HRR 427 CD *DE [SLIPCASE]

Dystopia – Dystopia CD 2023 Tankcrimes – TC 117 [Sealed] (155723156403)

Angry Samoans – Back from Samoa CD 1992 Triple X Records – 51034-2 (155155539144)

Merauder – Master Killer LP 2021 Rebellion – RR246 [Brand New] [Netherlands]

Blood Incantation – Starspawn LP 2016 Dark Descent – DDR157LP [Brand New]

Turbonegro – Apocalypse Dudes LP 2019 Indie Recordings INDIE262LP [WHITE 140G]

Hallows Eve – Death & Insanity CD 2014 Metal Blade – 3984-14059-2 [SEALED]

Conspiracy by King Diamond CD 2021 Metal Blade [Gatefold Digisleeve]

Deliverance – Deliverance CD 2020 Retroactive – RRCD1564 [Gold Disc Edition]

White Zombie – La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Vol. 1 LP 2012 Music On Vinyl [180G]

Fates Warning – The Spectre Within CD 2002 Metal Blade – 3984-14430-2 SEALED

Death – Leprosy LP 2014 Relapse Records – RR7228 [SEALED w/ POSTER]

Fates Warning – Awaken The Guardian Live Blu-ray 2017 Metal Blade – 3984-34075-9

The Ocean – Pelagial CD 2013 Metal Blade – 3984-15420-2 [Digsleeve] [Germany]

Guardian – Fire And Love LP 2017 Retroactive Records – RR1414 [Sealed]

Satanic Warmaster – We Are The Worms CD 2022 Werewolf Records EVIL-044 [Sealed]

Looking To Buy Any of These?

You can find them all at our eBay store here.

Posted on December 25, 2023December 25, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

Collection of Rare High-Value Black, Death & Heavy Metal CDs

Below are some highlights from a relatively small collection of CDs I bought from a private collector.

Even though this black and death metal CD collection is much smaller than the ones I usually get, I paid the guy $700 for it because a few rare/valuable CDs were included. Some of the conditions of the playing surfaces of some discs could have been better.

I am only interested in VG and up when buying metal CD collections. Many people think that “if the CD will play all the way through without skipping” means it is in very good condition, but this is not true. CDs with significant marks become worth substantially less and lose much resale value. If you want to grade your CDs, more information can be found here.

Highlights From This Collection

The entries below contain info about some of the more valuable CDs in the collection and their corresponding values.

The Black Dahlia Murder – A Cold-Blooded Epitaph CD

The Black Dahlia Murder – A Cold-Blooded Epitaph CD 2002 Lovelost Records – LL01 is one of the most expensive CDs I bought in ANY collection. A Cold-Blooded Epitaph was Black Dahlia Murder’s self-released debut. In years since 2002, the band has ascended to legendary status in the deathcore community, making this CD a rare find.

Value: $300

Black Dawn – Blood For Satan CD

Black Dawn – Blood For Satan CD 2001 Necropolis Records – NR069 has two releases. One version was on Season of Mist, and this version was on Necropolis Records. The Necropolis is the rarer of the two.

Value: $80

Mercyful Fate ‎– Melissa CD

Mercyful Fate ‎– Melissa CD 1989 Caroline Records ‎CAROL CD 1385 was the third printing of Mercyful Fate’s legendary debut full-length. The original 1985 pressing comes in a cheap-looking slimline case but is worth $250.

Value: $80

Tribulation – The Formulas Of Death CD

Tribulation – The Formulas Of Death CD 2013 The Ajna Offensive – FLAME77 – I’m not sure why this one sells for so much, but it does; I have had several sell at this price.

Value: $80

A.C./Anal Cunt – Everyone Should Be Killed CD

A.C./Anal Cunt – Everyone Should Be Killed CD 1994 Earache – MOSH101CD – AC CDs have never been reissued and could never come out today. Everyone Should Be Killed was their second-to-last release on Earache Records before getting fired for the lyrical content of It Just Get’s Worse.

Value: $70

Vio-Lence – Eternal Nightmare CD

Vio-Lence – Eternal Nightmare CD 1988 Mechanic Records – MCAD 42187 has been reissued many times, but the original on the now-defunct MCA subsidiary Mechanic Records keeps increasing in value.

Value: $70

Have A Collection Like This To Sell?

I am always in the market to acquire new collections. If you have one to sell, contact me using the information below.

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

Posted on November 26, 2023October 1, 2025 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

Collection of 2500 Japanese Death, Thrash & Heavy Metal CDs

In the video below is a small portion of over 2500 metal CDs I just bought. Almost all are near-mint, over half are rare Japanese pressings, and many are sealed.

This remarkable collection was inherited by a daughter whose father had recently passed away. Sadly, this is not the first time I’ve bought heavy metal records and CD collections like this in my short career.

It was my understanding that the father died way too young, at the age of 60. What is remarkable about this collection is it spans the entire length of the genre, from Black Sabbath to bands that came out in the last few years.

Using PayPal and Trust

This transaction was a five-figure deal. Often, I am asked how I feel comfortable buying collections like this sight unseen and how buyers can feel comfortable working with me. I do all of these out-of-state deals through PayPal as goods and services. I pay the seller in full before their mailing. Paying upfront locks me into the agreement and assures the seller I’m a man of my word.

When you use PayPal as “goods and services,” you are allowing PayPal to act as an impartial referee. It creates a type of escrow between you and the seller. If something goes wrong, you can open a dispute inside PayPal, and they will sort it out. I have only had to do this once in hundreds of transactions. It’s good to know that 99% of people are honest.

Using PayPal insures both parties should it get lost in the mail or damaged because of improper packing or postal abuse.

PayPal sometimes holds for a few days before releasing them, but it usually does not. Fees go to the seller at 2.9%, which is quite reasonable.

Great Features In This Collection

All Japanese CDs in this collection are still factory-sealed with the OBI strip, genuinely “near mint.”Many are in SHM-CD format. SHM is a specialized audiophile format for which you need a Japanese SHM CD player, but it will normally play on a standard player.

Lynyrd-Skynyrd-Street-Survivors-CD-2009-Geffen-UICY-941778-SHM-CD-Japan

Most of the non-import versions of the CDs are the deluxe collector versions that frequently include extra tracks, patches, and bonus tracks.

aborted global flatline cd with bonus tracks

Regardless of value, every CD in this collection is housed in plastic collector sleeves.

INTERNAL BLEEDING ONWARD TO MECCA ORIGINAL 2004

That is all for this blog post; I will have to spread this out among a few posts because of the size of this collection.

Do You Have a Record or CD Collection You Want To Sell?

I am always looking to buy collections like this. Contact me at the information below if you have one to sell.

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

Posted on September 29, 2023September 29, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

Killer Collection of Rare Limited Edition Metal / Punk LPs I Bought From Arizona

In the video below is a collection I bought from a collector in Arizona through the mail. Most of the records are newer pressings and reissues, but many out-of-print/limited edition gems are in there, and some are already worth decent money.

The seller did a superb job of packing these records for shipping. It was so good that I used his method to make this tutorial on how to ship vinyl properly.

Album Highlights

In the section below, I have included info about some of the standout pieces in this collection.

Beastie Boys – Polly Wog Stew 7″

Beastie Boys – Polly Wog Stew 7″ EP 1982 Rat Cage Records – MOTR 21 VG+/VG+ – This EP was by far the most expensive piece in this collection. When you see copies of this album, they are primarily represses that came out in the early 90s after the Beastie Boys were already famous. This 7″ is the original 1982 pressing and is worth a ton. The condition is excellent and on the high end of VG+.

Value = $395

Cryptic Slaughter – Money Talks LP

Cryptic Slaughter – Money Talks LP 1987 Restless ‎– 72204-1 [Original Sealed!] – The second album from the Califonia thrashers that played so fast they heavily influenced grindcore. This copy is sealed with hype stickers and is in nearly perfect condition. Someone must have liked it because it sold instantly.

Value = $99.95 [Sold]

Polkadot Cadaver – Purgatory Dance Party LP

Polkadot Cadaver – Purgatory Dance Party LP 2021 Razor To Wrist [White & Violet] – Polkadot Cadaver formed from Serj Tankian’s Dog Fashion Disco remains. Everything by this band is sold out and is extremely hard to find. This sealed LP may be the only copy available for sale online.

Value = $149.95

Belphegor – Bondage Goat Zombie LP

Belphegor – Bondage Goat Zombie LP 2008 Nuclear Blast NB 2086-1 [Red] NM/NM *DE – Very rare 1st press on red vinyl, numbered and strictly limited to 1000 copies.

Value = $129.95

Rivers of Nihil – Where Owls Know My Name LP

Rivers of Nihil – Where Owls Know My Name LP 2018 Metal Blade [1st Press Sealed] – All copies of this album sold out in 2018 and have not yet been reissued, making the originals worth a pretty penny.

Value = $99.95

Devo – Freedom Of Choice LP

Devo – Freedom Of Choice LP 1980 Warner Bros – P-10803W [Japan] [Sealed] – Original Japanese copy sealed from 1980. How often are you going to see stuff like this?

Value = $99.95

Static-X – Wisconsin Death Trip LP

Static-X – Wisconsin Death Trip LP 2015 Music On Vinyl [1st Press Silver] NM/NM – Although this album came out in 1999, it did not appear on vinyl until 2015, making the silver edition the “first press.”

Value = $99.95

Do You Have A Collection Like This You Want To Sell?

I am constantly looking for new metal collections to buy. Hit me up at the information below if you have one to sell.

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

Posted on August 27, 2023October 27, 2025 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

The 20 Most Expensive Heavy, Death, and Black Metal CDs 2023

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about updating one of these lists of the most expensive metal CDs I have acquired when buying black and death metal CD collections. What follows is a list of the most costly CDs we have sold in the first two quarters of 2023, above $79.

20) Iron Maiden – Wasting Love CD Maxi-Single

Iron Maiden – Wasting Love CD Maxi-Single 1992 EMI – 7243 8 80231 2 2 *NL [RARE] – Wasting Love is an incredibly rare CD Maxi-single with three live tracks and, like many Iron Maiden singles, is worth a pretty penny.

Price $79.95

19) Six Pack – Drunken Possession CD

Six Pack – Drunken Possession CD 2016 [Self Released] RARE! – This CD is so obscure it doesn’t even have a Discogs listing and is nearly impossible to find. Six Pack is an underground blackened thrash metal band from New Orleans, LA. They were in talks to sign with Killjoy’s Baphomet Records at the time of his death.

Price $80.95

18) Obsequiae – Suspended In The Brume Of Eos CD

Obsequiae – Suspended In The Brume Of Eos CD 2011 Bindrune Recordings – BR013 – Obsequiae is a Melodic Black Metal band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the late 90s. Suspended In The Brume Of Eos is the band’s first effort after many years on hiatus.

Price $85.95

17) The Iron Maidens – World’s Only Female Tribute… CD

The Iron Maidens – World’s Only Female Tribute… CD 2005 DRZ Records – DRZ-1002 – The Iron Maidens are an LA-based all-female tribute to Iron Maiden, whose alums include Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss. This disc was their debut release and consists entirely of tracks written by Iron Maiden.

Price $94.95

16) Damien Black – Dead Of Winter CD

Damien Black – Dead Of Winter CD 2016 Arkeyn Steel Records – ASR CD-038 [Greece] – Damien Black is a power metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1990, with a sound very similar to classic Queensryche. This CD was released on Greece’s Arkeyn Steel Records and limited to 500 copies.

Price $97.95

15) Exhorder – Slaughter in the Vatican CD

Exhorder – Slaughter in the Vatican CD 1991 Roadrunner – RO 93632 [First Press] – Like Forced Entry, Exhorder was a fantastic thrash metal band that showed up late at the party. Pantara has been accused of stealing its sound from this obscure New Orleans metal band, which released only one more album before taking a 30-year hiatus and returning in 2019 with Mourn The Southern Skies.

Price $98.95

14) Analepsy – Atrocities From Beyond CD

Analepsy – Atrocities From Beyond CD 2017 Vomit Your Shirt – VYS016-3 [Slipcase] – A newer death metal band from Lison, Portugal, with some deathcore overtones. There’s only this version of the first press. It includes a slipcase + color stickers and is manufactured in Portugal.

Price $99.95

13) Analepsy – Dehumanization By Supremacy CD

Analepsy – Dehumanization By Supremacy CD 2018 Vomit Your Shirt VYS012 Portugal – Dehumanization By Supremacy is the second CD from Portugal’s Analepsy, released in May of 2018 by Miasma Records and Vomit Your Shirt. It was a strictly limited edition of 500 copies. In recent years, the band has become a cult favorite on the deathcore circuit, making this CD highly sought after.

Price $99.95

12) Descendent – Degeneration CD

Descendent – Degeneration CD 1995 Self-Released – This rare self-released CD from this death metal band from Toledo, Ohio, active from 1993-1996, is almost impossible to find. The band’s short tenure has attracted a cult following in recent years.

Price $102.95

11) Black Tongue – Nadir CD

Black Tongue – Nadir CD 2018 Self-Released [Digipak] RARE! – This self-released digipak from up-and-coming deathcore act Black Tongue is almost impossible to find. Though released just five years ago, it is entirely out of print. Nadir is the band’s third self-released album.

Price $105.95

10) Morgue – Eroded Thoughts CD

Morgue – Eroded Thoughts CD 1993 Grind Core – 89818-2 – The debut release from this death metal band from Illinois, active from 1990 to 1995, has been reissued many times by labels like Dark Descent and Headsplit Records. The original pressing on Grind Core Records is the one that is worth big money, though.

Price $109.95

9) Moonblood – Blut & Krieg / Sob A Lua Do Bode CD

Moonblood – Blut & Krieg / Sob A Lua Do Bode CD 2014 Misanthrophia Discos *DE – This CD is a reissue and compilation of material recorded in 1996. This reissue is from Misanthrophia Discos from Germany and is strictly limited to 500 copies.

Price $119.95

8) Forced Entry – As Above, So Below CD

Forced Entry – As Above So Below CD 1991 Relativity – 88561-2024-2 [1st Press] – A rare gem from Seattle’s Forced Entry comes from a promising thrash metal band that appeared on the scene too late. As Above So Below and the band’s debut Uncertain Future would have been genre-defining classics had either come out in 1986.

Price $121.95

7) Sepultura – Morbid Visions CD

Sepultura – Morbid Visions CD 1990 New Renaissance Records – NRCD43 [Original] – This album originally came out on Brazil’s Cogumelo Produções but would never appear on CD until this reissue on the now-defunct New Renaissance Records. Note the primitive, very plain typesetting on the back tray card; it can often be a harbinger of an expensive first-edition CD.

Price $124.95

6) Slayer – Hell Awaits CD

Slayer – Hell Awaits CD 1986 Combat – 88561-8020-2 [Rare First Pressing] – This Japanese press for the US market of Slayer’s second full-length album is distinctive by its orange tray card. It comes from an era when only major labels could get music out on CD. In this case, Metal Blade outsourced the manufacturing to Japan.

Price $129.95

5) Cemetery – An Evil Shade Of Grey CD

Cemetery – An Evil Shade Of Grey CD 1992 Black Mark Production – BMCD 20 GERMANY – Cemetery is a cult death metal band active from 1989 to 2005. In 1992, they signed with Quarthon’s Black Mark Productions. Like many early Black Mark Production CDs, this release is heavily bootlegged and hard to find.

Price $132.95

4) Gutted – Gutted CD

Gutted – Gutted CD 1997 Loud N Local Music Group – LNLMG9701-2 – This CD is a very rare compilation of this Toledo, Ohio, death metal band’s first EP and early demos. It was released on the one-off “Loud N Local Music Group.” Gutted was a legendary band that, sadly, released too few recordings.

Price $139.95

3) Enslaved – Vikingligr Veldi CD

Enslaved – Vikingligr Veldi CD 1994 Deathlike Silence – Anti Mosh 008 [EARLY] – The first press from this Norwegian death metal band has no white space on the back cover, which is about the same size as a bar code. The subsequent repress has this. Regardless of which version you have, they are both worth a ton. Enslaved is still active, touring, and is releasing new material.

Price $149.95

2) Dawn – Nær Solen Gar Niþer For Evogher CD

Dawn – Nær Solen Gar Niþer For Evogher CD 1994 Necropolis – NR 006 ORIGINAL – All of the 90s albums, Swedish melodic-death metal band Dawn, are extremely expensive. Even the reissues cost quite a bit and sell out immediately. If you have never listened to Dawn, I highly recommend you do.

Price $159.95

1) Weakling – Dead As Dreams CD

Weakling – Dead As Dreams CD 2000 tUMULt – tm 17 – American Black Metallers Weakling released only one studio album besides a rehearsal recording. Weakling became quite popular posthumously due to their early 2000s breakup. This CD is a cult classic and is damn near impossible to find.

Price $169.95

Do You Have Rare Metal CDs Like This that You Would Like To Sell?

I am always looking to buy heavy metal CDs and record collections. Hit me up if you want to get top dollar for them.

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

Posted on June 18, 2023July 3, 2024 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

An Awesome Collection of Heavy Metal, Classic & Hard Rock Vinyl I Scored In Orange County, CA

Below are some highlights from an incredible collection of metal, hard rock, hardcore punk, and classic rock vinyl I just bought from a collector in Los Angeles.

Unlike many collections I have been buying recently from collectors living out of state or even out of the country, I picked this one up locally from a lawyer moving out of town. He found my ad on the Internet and contacted me. I drove down to Orange County from Los Angeles and quickly appraised the collection; we agreed on a price, I sent him a Paypal, and I left with the collection that night.

In addition to the vinyl in the video, his collection included:

Over 1500 CDs.
Some great framed show flyers.
Some other great memorabilia from the Canyon Club in LA.

I completed the deal in just a few hours which sure beats driving to another state or negotiating an international deal with France.

Vinyl Highlights

Here are some of the highlights and rare albums it included:

Motörhead – Another Perfect Day LP 1983 Bronze 811 365-1 M-1 [FULLY SIGNED] VG+ – The album is a gold-stamped promo and very rare autographed copy – signed by all three musicians that played on it (Lemmy, Phil, and Bryan). Autographed at the Canyon Club outside of Los Angeles around 1984 by this lineup that was only together for one album, two members are sadly no longer with us.

VG+/VG+
Value: 300$

Metallica – Master Of Puppets LP 1986 Elektra 9 60439-1 VG+/EX [RARE WL PROMO] – Very rare white-label promo with a hilarious hype sticker that reads, “THE ONLY TRACK YOU PROBABLY WON’T PLAY IS “DAMAGE, INC.” DUE TO MULTIPLE USES OF THE INFAMOUS “F” WORD. OTHERWISE, THERE AREN’T ANY “SHITS”, “FUCKS”, “PISSES”, “CUNTS”, “MUTHERFUCKERS” OR “COCKSUCKERS” ANYWHERE ON THE RECORD.” This sticker is more evidence of how much times have changed since 1986.

VG+/EX
Value: 200$

Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction LP 1987 Geffen – GHS 24148 VG+/VG+ – The original uncensored Robert Williams cover of “Appetite For Destruction” later changed to the more known version of the artwork.

VG+/VG+
Value: 200$

Cro-Mags – The Age Of Quarrel LP 1986 Profile Records – PRO-1218 VG+/VG+ – A hardcore classic, the original release on Profile Records is unusual, considering Profile Records is mainly known for hip-hop.

VG+/VG+
Value: 200$

Megadeth – Killing Is My Business & Business Is Good! LP 1985 Combat MX 8015 VG+ – The album is the first pressing with the dark green label. For all albums on Combat Records, the first press is the dark green labels, and the second is the camouflage label, although both were often released in the same year.

VG+/VG+
Value: 179$

Slayer ‎– Show No Mercy LP 1984 Metal Blade ‎– MBR 1013 VG+/VG+ w/ Insert – The record is the second pressing of “Show No Mercy” with the silver label and was issued the same year as the first. The first pressing has the tan labels and is worth almost twice what this copy is worth, even though they both came out in 1984.

VG+/VG+
Value: 179$

There were also many outstanding classic rock records in this collection from bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Roling Stones that I did not include in the video because this is a heavy metal-themed blog.

Do You Have A Collection Like This You Would Like To Sell?

I am always looking to buy vinyl and CD collections of any size. Use this information to get in touch with me.

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

Posted on May 28, 2023May 28, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

Collection of Rare 90s Death Metal LPs, 7″ Singles & EPs I Scored

The video above is a walk-thru of some rare golden-age of death metal LPs, EPs, and singles I picked up in a by-mail transaction from a collector in Texas. This purchase is a small collection of 18 records in total. However, some of these are rare and expensive. I will highlight the top gems below.

Impaled Nazarene – Ugra – Karma 1993 Osmose Productions – OPLP 018 – This copy is the rare first cover artwork lifted from Madame Koslovsky’s “Mother Durga riding on her tiger carrier offers prayers to Lord Vishnu”. The artist sued Impaled Nazarene and Osmose Productions for using this art without permission and had to settle out of court, making these first pressings extremely rare and expensive.

Value: 300-400$ average (according to Discogs).

Demigod / Necropsy – Unholy Domain / Necropsy 1992 Seraphic Decay Records – SCAM 028 – This split LP is a compilation of exclusive tracks from Necropsy and a previously unreleased demo from Demigod. It is rarer than a coherent thought from Joe Biden.

Value: 200-400$ average

Master’s Hammer – Klavierstück 7″ EP 1991 Poserslaughter – PSR 004 [Green] *DE – Master’s Hammer is a weird band with a sound that is not easy to define. Unfortunately, limited pressings of this colored vinyl are not cheap either.

Value: 100$ average

Immortal Fate – Faceless Burial 7″ EP 1992 Drowned Productions DS-002 VG+ Spain – This rare gem from the short-lived Immoral Fate is quite sought after by collectors and henceforth not cheap.

Value: 100$ average

Vomitory – Moribund 7″ Single 1993 Witchhunt Records – 9309 VG+/VG+ [Sweden] – This 7″ was the first music the world would hear from the still-active Vomitory and is not cheap.

Value: 80$ average

Wombbath – Several Shapes 7″ EP 1992 Infest Records – THIN 001 [France] VG+/VG+ – This EP is only one of three of Wombbath’s 90s recordings before taking over 20 years off and returning to active status in 2015.

Value: 80$ average

Monstrosity – Burden Of Evil 7″ Single 1991 Relapse Records – RR-011 VG+/VG+ – Not the most expensive compared to other early Monstrosity vinyl, but featured because you can see George Corpsegrinder’s neck was already like a treetrunk even at the tender age of 19!

Value: 80$ average

Sinister – Putrefying Remains 7″ EP 1990 Witchhunt Records WIHU 9103 VG+/VG+ *SW – I included this EP because I was surprised at how not expensive it is. Released in 1990, even before the infamous Cross The Styx album, I’m shocked it’s not worth more.

Value: 50$ average

Do You Have A Collection Like This To Sell?

I am always on the hunt for new heavy metal collections to buy and pay top dollar! Use the info below tpo get in touch with me!

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

Posted on April 28, 2023October 1, 2025 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

I Bought Killjoy From Necrophagia’s Album Collection & This Is What’s In It

I recently purchased Killjoy’s personal vinyl and CD collection. Before I delve into how I acquired this collection and what’s inside, let’s first take a moment to consider the man himself. “Killjoy Desade” was born Frank Pucci in 1966 and was best known as the lead vocalist for the death metal band Necrophagia. Killjoy was a legendary figure in the underground music scene. He stepped away from music for several years in the early 90s, only to return with a vengeance in 1997.

From 1997 to his death from unknown causes in 2018, Killjoy would be one of the most prolific figures in the underground metal scene, not only rebooting Necrophagia with Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo, but he would form several other bands that included members of Autopsy, Sigh, SOD, and many others. In addition, he was a very active businessman and played critical roles in two underground labels (Housecore and Baphomet Records).

Killjoy was an avid horror fan, and his music spanned multiple extreme metal genres, including death metal, black metal, punk, and even experimental ambient sounds, as heard in projects like Enoch. Although I did not know him personally, he seemed like a very humble/chill guy in his interviews, and his passing at the age of 53 was a massive blow to the metal community.

Album Unboxing Video

How I Found This Collection

In late 2022, I was contacted by someone in Ohio who had purchased Killjoy’s music collection, intending to sell it, but realized it would be too much work and wanted to unload it all at once. He found me through this website and some YouTube videos. I buy collections professionally from all over the world, so he approached me to see if I had an interest, which, of course, I did.

I am based in Los Angeles and have just returned from a run to Ohio. I wanted to avoid another cross-country trip, so he sent me videos of him flipping through the records, photos of the CDs, counts of each, and a basic idea of the condition (more on that later).

After a few phone conversations and some haggling over the price, we reached a deal. I sent him the money, and four days later, the collection showed up at my door in fourteen separate boxes.

Upon inspection of the records, it was pretty clear that they had been picked over; for example, there were no first pressings of Necrophagia’s “Season Of The Dead”, which would be something you would definitely expect to see. Sadly, the records had been poorly stored; many were warped and smelled of mildew. The same went for the CDs, as many were scratched and water-damaged. However, these issues did not make this a terrible deal. It took some time to go through and extract the gems from the discarded material. Nevertheless, the haul had enough heavy metal gold to recoup my investment. I’ve included many of the gems in the pictures at the end of this post.

Controversy

After I published the video of this collection’s unboxing on YouTube, I received messages from Killjoy’s family indicating that the collection had been stolen. Not wanting to have unknowingly purchased stolen merchandise, I gave them the contact information for the person who sold it to me. I never heard anything after giving them this, so they were not likely stolen; just someone must have been unhappy with the chain of custody. Regardless, if they sat in a damp basement for any longer, the entire lot would be worthless in a very short time.

Now, let’s do a rundown of some of the better pieces in there…

Record Highlights

Necrophagia – Season Of The Dead LP Test Pressing 1987 [Killjoy’s Personal Copy] – This is my favorite piece in this collection. “Seasons Of The Dead” was a pivotal album; some metal fans argue that it was the first proper death metal album. It was released just weeks after “Scream Bloody Gore,” and first pressings sell for a premium. The copy pictured was Killjoy’s personal test pressing; as you can imagine, it is quite valuable.

Fabio Frizzi – L’Aldilà Colonna Sonora Originale Del Film LP Beat [Signed] *IT – Extremely rare and expensive 80s movie soundtrack. This copy was signed, but I couldn’t determine by whom, even after conducting extensive research. It must have been someone good because this sold within hours.

Speed Metal Hell – Volume Three LP Test Pressing 1987 New Renaissance NRR29 VG+ – The first compilation Necrophagia appeared on. This one is particularly noteworthy, featuring some excellent handwritten 80s marketing notes.

Plasmatics – Meet The Plasmatics LP 1979 Vice Squad ‎VS-106ESP [ORIGINAL SEALED] – Very rare debut from Wendy O. Williams and The Plasmatics; regular copies are quite valuable, but this is a sealed original in pretty nice shape.

Misfits – Famous Monsters LP Picture Disc 1999 Roadrunner – RR 8658-1 [Sealed] – The sole Misfits album without Danzig, featuring singer Michael Graves, this copy is a sealed picture disc. In my opinion, this album is pretty good!

Nasty Savage – Nasty Savage LP 1985 Metal Blade – MX8028 [Autographed] VG+/VG+ – Very cool piece autographed to Killjoy by Nasty Ronnie and members of Nasty Savage.

Mercyful Fate – Black Funeral 12″ 1983 Music For Nations ‎- 12 KUT 106 VG+/VG – Very rare early Mercyful Fate single – the cover looks great, but the vinyl was a little beat up.

Celtic Frost – To Mega Therion LP 1985 1985 Noise – N 0031 VG+/VG+ w/ Poster – The second album from Celtic Frost and an essential metal album. This copy survived in the basement much better than many of the albums pictured here. It included the poster and was also in excellent shape.

From Dusk Till Dawn LP 2016 Brookvale Records – BRK-267 [CLEAR] NM/NM – This copy survived its time in the basement remarkably well and remained close to near mint.

CD Highlights

Danzig – Danzig 5 Blackacidevil CD Evilive [Limited Edition Sealed] – Very rare and out of print Glenn Danzig. This copy is factory sealed.

Arckanum – Fran Marder CD 1995 Necropolis Records – NR008 [Original] – Very sought-after and rare black metal CD. The back tray card had minor water damage, but it sold in minutes.

The Spooky Kids – Lunch Boxes & Choklit Cows CD 2004 Empire – 545 450 609-2 – Very rare Marylin Manson group.

Coil – …And the Ambulance Died in His Arms CD 2005 Threshold House – Very rare original pressing.

Cronos – Hell to the Unknown: Anthology CD 2006 Castle Music CMQDD1398 – Two-disc UK compilation of Venom frontman’s solo material, very rare.

Jay Chattaway – Maniac Soundtrack CD 1997 SouthEast – SER 289 B05S *NL – I don’t know much about Jay, but his shaped CD is very cool and collectible.

Iron Maiden – Live at Donington CD 2002 Sanctuary [Limited Digipak] [Sealed] – A limited edition vinyl replica; collectors highly seek after these CDs – sealed copy.

These are just a few – you can find many of the items listed for sale here:
https://www.ebay.com/str/thrashmetaliq

Do You Have A Collection Like This You Want To Sell?

Do you own or have you inherited a collection like this and want help from a professional heavy metal record and CD buyer? Contact me on the page below.

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

Posted on April 19, 2023April 29, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

Dark Angel Plays “Darkness Descends” Show Review 4/15/2023 Teragram Los Angeles

The 80s thrash legends Dark Angel sold out three nights in a row at the Teragram in Los Angeles when they announced they would be playing their 1986 classic “Darkness Descends” in its entirety. The album is considered by many (including myself) to be one of the finest thrash albums ever recorded and still stands up today. But, unfortunately, these shows were already booked when the universe threw a giant wrench in the mix with the passing of founding member guitarist Jim Durkin.

As the date drew nearer, Dark Angel announced the shows would still go on, and Gene Hoglan’s wife Laura Christine would cover Jim Durkin’s guitar duties. I didn’t know how this would work out, but I decided to withhold my judgment.

We got to the show just before Dark Angel and missed Evil Dead, which I was OK with because I’ve never considered them better than a third-tier thrash band. The Teragram was packed but not oversold, which is nice. The Teragram is a fantastic venue, and I wish they would book more metal shows there.

The band opened with “We Have Arrived” from their debut album of the same name. Unfortunately, this song is from a period of the band’s history when they still needed to find their groove, and it sounds pretty dated now and was an odd choice. They followed with “Time Does Not Heal” from the very disappointing/unlistenable album of the same name, which also missed its mark with the crowd, but all of that changed when they ripped into “Never To Rise Again”, “No One Answers”, and “Death Of Innocence” from the album Leave Scars. At this point, the mosh bit grew, foreshadowing what was to would come.

They began playing the Darkness Descends album in track order, starting with “Darkness Descends”. Interestingly, one of the first beats would be copied almost note-for-note by Metallica two years later on the song “One” on Justice For All. So go back and listen to both songs side-by-side if you don’t believe me.

Three of the musicians onstage (Gene Hoglan, Eric Meyer, and Mike Gonzalez) had all played on Darkness Descends, but singer Ron Rinehart joined the group on the next album. While I much prefer original vocalist Don Doty to Rinehart, Ron did a great job holding down vocal duties and took nothing away from the show, and neither did Laura Christine. Both musicians held their own as consummate professionals.

The band ripped through the seven songs on Darkness Descends like it was still 1986, and the crowd responded accordingly with manic thrashing, moshing, and stage diving. Some of the highlights included “Hunger of The Undead” (which the band had never performed live till now), a smattering of the heaviest riffs from the instrumental “Older Than Time Itself” to break up some songs, and perhaps the most excellent thrash song of all time “Black Prophecies” to drive things over the top.

All things said, this is 80s thrash as good as it can possibly be done, and if you were there, consider yourself lucky, and if Dark Angel ever decides to take this on the road, this show is a must-see!

Setlist

We Have Arrived
Time Does Not Heal
Never to Rise Again
No One Answers
Death Of Innocence
Darkness Descends
The Burning of Sodom
Hunger of the Undead
Merciless Death
Death Is Certain (Life Is Not)
Black Prophecies
Perish in Flames (with Older Than Time Itself riffs)

This post was edited on 4/30 to correct some mistakes in the setlist that were pointed out on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/544184196385696/posts/1457797595024347/

Posted on March 26, 2023March 26, 2023 by ThrashMetalIQ — Leave a comment

Highlights From An Extremely Rare Black Metal Vinyl Collection I Bought From France

BUYING BLACK FRENCH METAL COLLECTIONS HEADER

I just bought a crazy black metal collection from France with numerous “Holy Grail” records that collectors dream about owning and some of the most expensive pieces I’ve ever acquired. Starting in late 2022, I’d been talking to a French black metal musician (who shall remain unnamed) about acquiring his black metal records and CDs. It took a few months to work out the deal. Next, I appraised and made an offer on the collection based on a series of photos sent to me over WhatsApp. Finally, we agreed to a fair price and made shipping plans after I issued him the money through PayPal.

As always, I agreed to pick up the shipping charges. We chose DHL France as the shipping service. Unfortunately, post-pandemic shipping prices have increased dramatically, almost double what they were previously, and some new security restrictions made this transaction section a bit more complicated. Once shipping issues were sorted out, the records arrived quickly (in less than five days).

I had some concerns about the condition of some of the vinyl, but once I started sorting through the collection, my fears were assuaged. While the stuff in it was far from “near mint” it was average VG+; there were numerous scarce titles I have never had before and may never have again.

Video Of The Insane Collection

Breakdown Of The Gems

Here is a breakdown of some select gems, and there are many insane ones, starting with…

Darkthrone – A Blaze In The Northern Sky LP 1992 White Label Test Press – Darkthrone – A Blaze In The Northern Sky LP 1992 White Label Test Press – Original copies of “A Blaze In The Northern Sky” are rare enough, but how about this test pressing? At this point, very few of these still exist, nevermind are for sale. This piece is a true rarity.

Condition VG+/VG+
Value $1000 USD

Darkthrone – A Blaze In The Northern Sky LP 1992 Peaceville – VILE 28 UK – While this record has been repressed and reissued hundreds of times, the initial run by Peaceville Records was relatively small, making the first pressing of the album quite pricey.

Condition VG+/VG+
Value $800 USD

Beherit – Drawing Down The Moon LP 1993 Spinefarm Records – SPI 14 – The original run of this cult-classic black/death metal masterpiece was also relatively small, making it quite pricey.

Condition VG+/VG+
Value $700 USD

Hypocrisy – Osculum Obscenum LP 1993 Nuclear Blast NB 080-1 – Hypocrisy – Osculum Obscenum LP 1993 Nuclear Blast NB 080-1 – Extremely rare transparent yellow first pressing of this album was strictly limited to 1000 copies and very rare.

Condition VG+/VG+
Value $700 USD

Dissection – Storm Of The Light’s Bane LP 1998 Nuclear Blast [Blue Vinyl] – A true Holy Grail if there ever was one. While an early reissue and not a first pressing of this black metal classic, this 1998 press from Nuclear Blast mailorder was limited to 500 copies and is mega-rare! Even more recent reissues of “Storm of the Lights” bane can fetch $200-$300 a week after they sell out. The first pressings now will run you about $1000.

Condition VG+/VG+
Value $700 USD

Nifelheim – Nifelheim LP 1996 Necropolis Records – NR 007 – This was by far the best album from this band. Original CDs can average around $60; as you can see, the vinyl isn’t cheap either.

Condition VG+/VG+
Value $600 USD

Dødheimsgard – Monumental Possession LP 1996 Malicious Records MR010 – While I am not totally familiar with this band, it doesn’t stop their records from costing an arm and a leg.

Condition VG+/VG+
Value $600 USD

Beherit ‎– The Oath Of Black Blood LP 1991 Turbo Music – Beherit’s debut album was a very limited run and is almost impossible to come by.