One of the questions you often get when someone finds out you have a record collection is, “what’s your most expensive record?” I suppose this is natural – people know that records are collectibles, so they assume you’re focused on the value of the items you own. And depending on how you choose to collect, that may very well be true (though I’ve known plenty of folks who built their entire collections shopping charity shops and dollar bins). I’ve certainly chased a few rarities over the years and have spent a few dollars to acquire specific titles.
As for answering the question, I can’t be 100% sure – it depends on the data points we select. Discogs sales history is one of the easiest ways to figure this out, since I can look at my entire collection and sort it from highest to lowest in terms of recorded sales prices. But this comes with its own flaws as sometimes sellers list and sell a less desirable, or even an unofficial, version under the rarity listing and that jacks with the price. And that’s the case for this particular record. If you back out all the bootleg copies, we’re left with 10 recorded sales going back to 2012, with an average price of $656. Which is, really, kind of insane. What’s even crazier is the CD version from the same year averages $668.
The album in question is The Entity by the Icelandic death metal band Sororicide. Released in 1991 it was their only full-length album. A pair of split-releases came out over the next couple of years along with a demo tape, but that was it until a hyper-limited self-released CD of three early tracks was put out by the band in 2009. Pretty much all of their output sells for substantial amounts, which I’m sure drove the various unofficial bootlegs put out over the last 20 years or so.
One of the big questions with any expensive item like this is “why”. Why this particular record? Is it in fact that rare? Popsike and Discogs account for maybe 20 copies having been sold in the last 15 years, which isn’t many, though I purchased mine in a brick-and-mortar shop and I’m sure copies have sold at record shows and such. Regardless, that isn’t a ton of sales. A number of online sources indicate The Entity was put out in a pressing of 1,000, but that it wasn’t popular and sold maybe 300 copies, the rest being destroyed. Is that accurate? Even if we accept it on face value, 300 copies of a record by an otherwise obscure death metal band isn’t exactly rare. A lot of new pressings these days only see 300 copies made. I know for a fact I have dozens of records and tapes rarer than this, and none of them are even close in price.
Somewhere my college ECON 101 professor is shouting out an open window, “it’s supply and demand, stupid!” And he of course is right. It’s about how many people want it, how much they are willing to pay, and scarcity. When supply is low and demand is high, the price goes up. But again, why this record and not others that are equally or perhaps even more rare, and maybe even better musically? I have to admit I am part of this demographic of people obsessed with albums like this, though for the record (pun intended) I did not spend anywhere near $656 for my copy. It was still a healthy amount, probably more than I’d spent on any other record at the time, but I don’t think I could ever drop that much cash for a record. However, I am, in my own way, part of the problem. Sometimes a record takes on a life of its own, and often not because the music is even good. Björk’s debut, which came out when she was only 12 years old, can reach prices over $1,000. And… it’s not a great hang, I have to tell you. But if you’re a hardcore Björk fan, an original pressing is probably up there as one of the major holy grails you desperately want.
So is it worth it, musically speaking? Honestly I’m not sure that’s possible in today’s day and age, given that you could go stream this on Spotify or YouTube! or any one of a number of other places for free. I’d argue that the mix isn’t stellar either – it’s a bit flat. Sororicide are at their best when they pick up the pace, such as following the intro to “Redrum” when they dive headfirst into black metal before slowing down again and getting sludgy. It’s one of the better tracks on The Entity, one that gives hints of what could have been but didn’t quite come to fruition. “Blind” is another solid track, the blast beats feeling a bit steadier and the guitars ranging out into some true psych weirdness, and “Old” throws some Patera-esque riffs over those blast beats to really get your head moving.
The Entity is a decent record. But I’m more interested in why is it a $650 record (“IT’S SUPPLY AND DEMAND, STUPID!”)? How did it’s price trajectory start? How much of a role does Iceland play in this? Probably some, making it seem somehow more exotic to just about anyone anywhere. I’m fascinated by the psychology of these kinds of things (somewhere my PSYCH 101 professor is nodding in agreement), all the more so when the pieces just don’t seem to quite fall into place for a particular item.
That being said, I’m gonna hold onto my copy. Sorry gang.