Slave To The Dark (Iced Earth box set)

[Iced Dog]

Century Media Records in Germany have put together an all-encompassing ICED EARTH box called Slave To The Dark featuring 14 CDs plus a DVD. Due out February 22nd, it will include the following titles in mini gatefold sleeves from the Century Media catalog: Iced Earth (1990), Night Of The Stormrider (1991), Burnt Offerings (1995), The Dark Saga (1996), Days Of Purgatory (1997), Something Wicked This Way Comes (1998), Alive In Athens triple- live CD (1999), Melancholy (2001), Horror Show (2001), Dark Genesis (2001), Tribute To The Gods (2002), The Blessed And The Damned - Best Of (2004), Alive In Athens - The DVD (2006).

According to the Iced Earth camp, "it is a legit re-release by Century Media of the back catalog. There was no collaboration between Century Media and Iced Earth on this release."

The packaging looks and sounds very cool. Obviously it's a Century Media cash-in, but there are many items included that I don't currently own, including Dark Genesis items. Another site gives a somewhat ambiguous CD listing. The "alternative mix" Burnt Offerings and Hellspawn Dark Saga tracks are intriguing...but I'm wondering if the first 3 studio albums are the remasters or the originals...hopefully the latter because those are out of print, and would definitely be the clincher in me buying it. Word on the street is it will be 90 Euros ($130).

 

[Kenso]

thats alot of fucking cds

id like to get it but dont feel like dishing out 130 big ones.

 

[Cheiron]

I'd like to get this. I only own Dark Saga.

 

[rms]

isnt 90 euros 180 USD?

 

[mëtålspëd]

Well I own all the cds and the Melancholy single... no interest in owning the compilations and such. The packaging and alt. mix tracks arent enough for me to buy.

 

[Iced Dog]

isnt 90 euros 180 USD?

nope

 

[mëtålspëd]

Yeah, that conversion sounds more like GBP to USD.

 

[Undershadow]

90.00 EUR = 130.613 USD

 

[Iced Dog]

Dammit, I was ready to pay $130, but $130.61 is completely outrageous!

 

[RagePSV]

I would think that the first 3 discs would be the original recordings since the re-masters are included in the Dark Genesis set. Don't know for sure though..... That being said, I have all this stuff except the DVD and the compilation.

And I thought Tribute to the Gods was included in the Dark Genesis set as well.....

 

[DemonXeno]

Dammit, I was ready to pay $130, but $130.61 is completely outrageous!

oh iced dog i know youll buy it ...eventually

 

[Kenso]

Dammit, I was ready to pay $130, but $130.61 is completely outrageous!

no joke! and america is complaining about gas prices?! uke:

 

[Iced Dog]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Slave-Dark-Century-Media-Earth/dp/B0012RM4M2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1202674928&sr=8-2"]Holy shit![/ame] CM better release this domestically or it's Ebay here I come

 

[General Zod]

I never understand why people buy box sets. Either you're a fan, and you own 90% of the stuff in the box set, or you're not a fan, and buying one CD would seem like a more realistic starting point. Are there enough "collectors", that have to have these box sets, that make them profitable for the record labels?

Zod

 

[Iced Dog]

Yep, there are a lot of "completists" and collectors out there.

 

[The_Q]

I never understand why people buy box sets. Either you're a fan, and you own 90% of the stuff in the box set, or you're not a fan, and buying one CD would seem like a more realistic starting point. Are there enough "collectors", that have to have these box sets, that make them profitable for the record labels?

Zod

Well I bought the Gamma Ray- Ultimate Box (The first 6 CD's). The reason I bought that was
1. It contained the six CD's remastered and with 3 bonus tracks in digipack.
2. The reissues were available exclusively in the box first
3. I saved about $30 buying the box
4. When the reissues were released it was hard to find some of them.

So to answer your question,yes most box sets are a cash grab from record companies. But some, especially in this case are worth it. Also when I was out to buy some Led Zeppelin CD's years ago I saw the box set with all of their CD's for $99.99. Great value as it is now worth $200.

 

[General Zod]

2. The reissues were available exclusively in the box first
4. When the reissues were released it was hard to find some of them.

If you're getting exclusive or hard to find content, than it makes sense.

Zod

 

[Cheiron]

I never understand why people buy box sets. Either you're a fan, and you own 90% of the stuff in the box set, or you're not a fan, and buying one CD would seem like a more realistic starting point. Are there enough "collectors", that have to have these box sets, that make them profitable for the record labels?

Zod

I am a fan. I don't own much from them. I'm tempted, but at the same time I feel like this isn't really a good package deal. I'd save money just buying all the albums I don't have. So I've decided not to get this.

But for some bands box sets can make some sense as its a way of getting things cheaper than buying each individually.

But yes, I generally agree with you.

 

[Dark One]

It's just a cash grab by Century Media who are trying to make money off of the band's current momentum and not much more. Nice artwork though.

Jason

 

[spag]

Yeah, I would love to have it, but I already have all but one disc in that set. Can't justify it.