This video shows a crazy rare collection of black and death metal CDs from the 90s thru 2000s that I bought from a collector in Sweden. There is a ton of crazy out-of-print stuff from labels that are now out of business in Europe. However, many of these CDs have since been reissued by Metal Blade, Napalm, Century Media, and others. You can get many of these reissues, but the originals are easily worth 20-50 dollars (sometimes less, sometimes more).
I didn’t have time to put together a complete list for this month’s blog update, but you can see all of them in the video, and I have taken some time to highlight a few of the best ones I’ve found from this collection.
Big CDs In This Collection
Monstrosity – Imperial Doom CD
Monstrosity – Imperial Doom CD 1992 Nuclear Blast – NB 055 CD [ORIGINAL PRESS] – Monstrosity was a death metal band that became the jump-off point for many death metal musicians, most famously, George “Corpsegrinder” who is currently fronting Cannibal Corpse, which is probably what makes this CD worth so much. This CD goes on eBay / Discogs for north of 100 dollars.
Mayhem: Deathcrush CD
Mayhem: Deathcrush CD 1994 Deathlike Silence – DSP Anti-Mosh 003 NORWAY – Mayhem’s debut EP. While is technically a reissue, this was the first time this album came out officially on CD. This item is heavily counterfeited and reissued. Only the first press had no barcode on the tray card.
Thornium – Dominions Of The Eclipse CD
Thornium – Dominions Of The Eclipse CD 1995 Necromantic – NGP 005 Netherlands – Recorded in 1994 this release from the Swedish black metal band Thornium is worth around 100 bucks. I’m not sure why, it just is!
Behemoth – And The Forests Dream Eternally CD
Behemoth – And The Forests Dream Eternally CD 1995 Entropy – DE 101MCD *Italy – Minialbum released very early in their career and never reissued to the mid-2000s. Song #4 “Evil and Hate” is a tribute to Bathory.
Have A Collection To Sell?
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The original owner was a younger guy, but the entire collection consisted of 20% from the Golden Age Of Thrash Metal and 80% from the 90s peak of death metal. 95% of these albums are reissues, but a few first are pressings that include “Slowly We Rot” and “Cause Of Death” from Obituary.
Even some of the reissues can be shockingly expensive due to the 7-12 month delays in vinyl production that is now plaguing the music industry.
I have cataloged the inventory from this purchase below. If you are looking to buy any of the entries listed can do so at ThrashMetalIQ on eBay.
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.
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.
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…
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