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Top Ten reissues 

1. Hellhammer - Demon Entrails 3xLP (Century Media)
It would have been extremely easy to fuck this up, and I was worried, but I have to say this is one of the best reissue jobs I’ve ever seen. Great sounding audio transfer, beautiful packaging with lots of rare photos and drawings, for one of the most important heavy bands of the last 30 years. It goes above and beyond several times over. I kind of can’t believe this is on Century Media. Long overdue, but thankfully not rushed.

2. Paintbox - Earth Ball Sports Tournament vinyl (Prank)
The day I found out Chelsea from Paintbox died I got depressed. This is not something that generally happens to me when a musician dies. His playing is so consistently brilliant though, and Paintbox as an ensemble on this album are incredible…unmatched…perfect. One of the best ever. Seriously. I’m very happy it’s finally pressed to vinyl. Always playing this.

3. Cro Mags - Age Of Quarrel w/ unreleased demo tracks CD (self)
Okay the only reasons this isn’t @ #1 is because it’s not on vinyl and because there are more tracks from this unreleased demo session that aren’t included. HOWEVER, this does include some unheard demo songs recorded by Don Fury, 2 of which were never on a Cro Mags album, or official demo release. They are heavy as hell obviously.

4. The Icemen - The Iceman b/w It’ll Be Your Grave (Reaper)
The Icemen are a love ‘em/hate ‘em NYHC/Crossover band that only ever managed a couple of singles for releases, so unearthing 2 pro recorded demo tracks for a new single is a real treat. This thing sounds great (good remix/mastering job), has the same visual aesthetic as the band’s previous releases, and the music rips. This is how it’s done people.

5. Systematic Death - Systemania 4xLP (Partners In Crime)
Aside from these being a great “everything in one place” set, they are really nicely made, and I have to admire someone that is willing to basically put out 2 double lps at once of the same band. And a hell of a band they are. Essential early thrash paving the way for so many after.

6.Black Sabbath - The Rules Of Hell 4xCD boxset (Rhino)
Finally a decent remaster of Sabbath’s Dio Years with some good behind the scenes style liner notes too. Heaven and Hell is, IMO the best power-metal lp ever so it’s nice that the world is acknowledging Sabbath made good music after ‘75 again.

7. Amebix - No Sanctuary (The Spiderleg Recordings) (Alternative Tentacles)
This phase of the Amebix is kind of my favorite so I like that this is all nice and neat on one disc that can be got anywhere. Dark and dirgy, Killing Joke via a punk squat.

8. Gauze - Binbou Yusuri No Rizumu Ni Notte vinyl (Prank)
I know this album just came out last year, so it’s kind of not a reissue, but I’m just happy it’s on vinyl. It’s a great album, and like every other Gauze recording there’s certain things about it that make it unique in their lexicon. I love the rough recording and it sounds killer on wax.

9. Adrenalin O.D. - Wacky Hijinks Of… 2xCD (Chunksaah Records)
I’m happy this is back available for the masses and not on shitty GTA records at that. This has tons of extra stuff including the amazing Let’s BBQ 7″, which has one of the best punk leadoff tracks ever played. Shit AOD vs. Godzilla, you’re moshing with a bowling pin. Hopefully some young impressionable Bouncing Souls fans will grip this and get a clue about real deal NJ punk.

10. H-100’s - Dismantle + outtakes 12″ (self)
A stone-cold Cleveland HC/Punk classic available again at last, and as a big loud 12″. This is as raw and real as it gets. Some cool outtake curiosities pad out the sides, but this is really about the original 7″ tracks which are remastered and loud as fuck. “I was born/so now I suffer”.