Collector Corner: Acheron

 

SWITCH TO POLISH

I have this hunch, that this series kinda scares people off. It's as if it was cursed, as any collecting tips make people run away, to the hills. I suspect that this post will not be popular at all. Alas, my mission of educating people is stronger than some mere views.

There's a good opportunity to write about collecting, as I recently saw another re-releases of Acheron debut's album, namely the famous "Rites of the Black Mass" (1992). And using them as example I want to do a showcase (including also few words about the rest of their discography) of each versiona that was / is avalaible, and explain about what to check, especially in regards to labels.

Me, I wasn't lucky to have someone give me tips, which is why I went through trial and error. And some of them will be presented below.

The honor of the first re-release for the XXI century belongs to the brazilian Dying Music from 2007. It was an unusual product licensed for the South American market. Why unusual? For starters, it had a brand new (kitschy coreldraw) cover, and added 1990 demo as a bonus:

 

This version is not avalaible nowadays, and I mention it for the sake of complecity. Second version, which appears from time to time, is the masterful version from the Dutch Vic Records from 2018. As a rule of thumb, you can always purchase anything with Vic's logo without hesitation, as their releases are rich, and include liner notes, interview with the band, explaining the process and behind the scenes, refreshed, but original cover art (and music too), complete lyric sheet (unless it's lost, or wasn't included the first time), photos from the archives, and bonus tracks (mostly demos, or pre-production).

A little digression, it sometimes happen that Vic doesn't include the cover songs that were featured on the original edition, probably due to copyright, like for example, with Equinox Skeletal Earth, or Eternal Solstice. Fortunately, Acheron never did a cover song for any of their albums.

Vic's version has only 2 tracks from the 1990 demo, while Dying had a complete tape. Nonetheless, it's still probably the best option, as Vic Records usually comes very cheap (at least in Poland, sucks to be American, as they have to overpay 4 times, due to the shipping costs).

Third, and unfortunately, the option that I have, is from the Mexican Ablaze from 2019. To say that I do not recommend is to say nothing. It's basically a waste of money, as their releases are cheap digipacks without booklets, scarce information, no lyrics, etc. I do consider throwing away this version to garbage bin and just get the CD from Vic. Alas. From what I've checked, it's Ablaze's standard - minimum content, maximum price, and no bonuses.

Another version is from Argentinian Misanthropic Spirit Records. I don't know much about this one, except that it was released in 2020 in two format, standard jewel case, and digipack, with a bonus single "Satanic Victory" (1994). I suspect that it's an exclusive for Argentina.

There's also a Belarussian version from 2025, which can be skipped for obvious reasons. However, there's the completely new option, also from 2025 by the mysterious Kenyon Records, in co-operation with Hammerheart, which on the other hand, is more known to the public. This variant offers a 2 CD version, (also in digipack and vinyl). CD 1 is supposedly a meticulous remaster, while CD 2 has all demos from the years 1990-1991. You can check their promo video here. The booklet apparently has an interview conducted by David Gehlke, who is a known for writing a book about Noise Records. It'll also have personal notes by the frontman, Vincent Crowley. As of today, it's the only release by Kenyon, so I have no point of reference. I do wonder what are their next releases going to be. And yeah, this remaster is obviously the most expensive one, albeit not bad, considering it's a luxurious release.

Fans of vinyls can find pressings from 2012 & 2023 by Funeral Industries (about whom I write below). I plan on writing about vinyls (someday), but generally, buying vinyls is not really a good idea, as they are glorified CDs, in regards to quality, and are pretty difficult to maintain in a good shape.

--------------------------------------------------

In regards to the rest of Acheron's discography, for collectors:

Lex Talionis - second album, released by Ablaze and Funeral Industries (I don't recommend either, as they are in shitty digipack format, with the latter being in A5, which is IMO complete stupidity, whoever invented it, should jump off the cliff).

Satanic Victory - mini-album, basically the same recording as "Lex Talionis", only sounds rawer, and without interludes. Vic Rec. features cool interview with Mike Browning (Morbid Angel, Nocturnus).

Hail Victory - third album. Ablaze & Misanthropic Spirit Records. The latter looks like a better option of the two.

Anti-God, Anti-Christ -  fourth album. There's only "Veins Full of Wrath" version. It's modest, but has everything that should be.

Those Who Have Risen - fifth album. For a very long time, there was only an option by Ablaze, but thankfully Vic Records re-released it in 2025.

Xomaly - second EP, re-released by Vic in 2025. Not a mandatory position, for completists only. 4 tracks - 2 instrumentals, 2 songs, together they have 20 minutes running time.

Rebirth: Metamorphosing into Godhood - sixth album. Only the original version by Black Lotus, or The End Records. Totally rad cover art.

Tribute to the Devil's Music - cover compilation, Black Lotus Records. Was never re-released.

The Final Conflict: Last Days of God - seventh album. Re-released by Funeral Industries in A5 format, so I am silently hoping that Vic will re-release it as well.

Kult des Hasses - eighth, and final album, by Listenable Records. AFAIK, you can still find it online, relatively easy. It might be my favorite album by Acheron, as it presents their evolution in a neat, compact way, as well as a proper farewell.

-------------------------------------------------- 

The basic wisdom to be learnt from today is to read carefully about the seller of particular CD, and then check it (if possible) on https://www.discogs.com/. If there's none, it's better to ask the shop about the parameters. than buy a dud.

And that's it from me, feel free to ask me in the comments.