Another holiday season is upon us, and for metal and hard rock fans, that means merch. As fans of heavy music, we support our favorite artists by purchasing physical media, apparel, and memorabilia. It’s an integral part of the heavy metal way of life, and rare are the occasions when we can ask others to buy these precious artifacts for us.
Likewise, if you have a fan of metal and hard rock in your life, then you are probably well aware of the genre’s collector culture and obsession with iconography. We would willingly give our hard-earned money for multiple vinyl variants of Slayer’s Hell Awaits. Even better if such a blasphemous record was sitting under the tree on X-mas morning: the ultimate soundtrack to the burning of the yule log.
After a year of covering vinyl reissues, book announcements, and merch drops, we’ve compiled some of our favorite heavy metal and hard rock gift ideas for 2021. The goodies below are sure to make your dearest headbanger grin from ear to ear:
Vinyl and Box Sets
Slayer – Metal Blade Reissues ($12.99+): Slayer’s Metal Blade output — aka their early years — is some of the most ferocious, evil thrash metal ever committed to tape. Records such as Show No Mercy, the Haunting the Chapel EP, and Hell Awaits would pave the way for the black metal, while Slayer would evolve in a global metal phenomenon in the years to follow. These reissues come in a variety of appropriate colored vinyl variants and are sure to look spicy whilst spinning on your turntable. CD and cassette versions are also available. Buy them via IndieMerch.
Nirvana – Nevermind 30th Anniversary Edition ($39.99): Nirvana’s seminal 1991 album needs no introduction. The anniversary edition includes the remastered version of the original album as well as four full concert recordings from 1991-1992. A vinyl version is due out in May, but a single LP + 7″ vinyl version and 5-CD box set have been released. Buy it via Amazon.
Metallica – “Black Album” Super Deluxe Edition ($239.98): One of 2021’s most comprehensive reissue campaigns was for Metallica’s “Black Album” Deluxe Edition. The ultimate gift for the diehard Metallica fan, this set houses pretty much everything from the era, from the original album to previously unreleased studio tracks and live cuts. The amount of ephemera is exhausting; just watch former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted’s unboxing video if you need proof. Buy it via Amazon.
Ozzy Osbourne – No More Tears Vinyl Reissue ($39.98): Original pressing of Ozzy Osbourne’s 1991 album No More Tears used to fetch funny money on the secondhand market. Thankfully, the Prince of Darkness opened the vaults for a proper vinyl reissue of the landmark LP. Spread across two slabs of wax for maximum fidelity, fans can finally hear songs like “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and the crushing title track in hi-fi, as intended. Buy it on Amazon.
Music Instruments and Gear
Fender Kurt Cobain and J Mascis Signature Models ($1,249.99 / $1,349.99): Fender’s fleet of guitars in 2021 has been nothing short of astounding. Highlighting the bunch are custom signature models of Kurt Cobain’s Jag-Stang and J Mascis’ sparkly blue Telecaster. Whether you’re going for Cobain’s strummy earworm rhythms or the shredability of Dinosaur Jr., respectively, these guitars are meant to look, feel, and sound like the original. We reviewed the Mascis guitar earlier this year and can attest to the quality of these replicas. Get them before they’re long gone via Reverb.
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