For dedicated Metallica collectors, life becomes more expensive.
For most of the past few months, the band has celebrated the 30th anniversary of their multi-platinum commercial breakthrough Black Album in 1991. The event included the release of a dizzying array of commemorative merchandise that could disrupt the budget.
According to our calculations, if you want to buy all Black Album-related content currently promoted on the band’s website or recently through their social media accounts, you will pay a bill of US$27,264.62. You can view our complete breakdown below, which of course does not include shipping and taxes.
To be fair, most of the bill comes from a series of limited edition, signed framed plaques in the band's new Black Box online museum. Although the list price ranged from $1,000 to $2,500, almost all of these items were sold out immediately. But dozens of clothes, books, drinks, blankets and even hockey pucks are still waiting to be snapped up.
In the past two decades, the shift from physical media such as CDs to online streaming services that pay much lower royalty payments has led artists to pay more attention to products. The COVID-19 pandemic has cut off or severely restricted the touring options of many artists, making direct fan sales a more important source of income. Metallica is not the only band that assembles various merchandise on the anniversary of the album. In recent months, Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss and Motley Crue have also launched similar products.
Music: US$525.81 Metallica (Black Album) Super Deluxe Package US$249.99 Three-CD Extended Edition US$24.98 Vinyl Record US$24.98 CD US$11.98
Metallica Blacklist Vinyl Records $159.98 CDs $29.98
Black Box Shop Black Album live event @ $5.98 = $23.92
Books/Calendar: $101.30 Metallica: Black and White Black Album $49.95 2022 Black Album Calendar $14.99 Black Album Guitar Tablature Book $18.39 Black Album EZ Guitar Tablature Book $15.99 Black Album Book $95.99 Black Tabrum Album $15.99 Black Album The book is $15.99.
Clothing: $1,784.45 Pitchgrim Black Album Snake T-shirt $32.99 Pitchgrim Black Album Snake Pullover Hoodie $69.99 Pitchgrim Black Album Snake Flower Hoodie $34.99 Snake Logo Applique Hoodie $99.99 LongZip2099490000WWolflee Women's Full Length Luke2095994. Four-sided T-shirt $24.74 Total snake print T-shirt $24.74 Women's snake print round neck T-shirt $24.74 Snake print full-width printed T-shirt $24.74 "The Struggle Within" T-shirt $24.74 "The Struggle Within" Full-The59.99. Struggle Within" long sleeve T-shirt $31.99 "The Struggle Within" Raglan $27.74 "The Struggle Within" women's 3/4 sleeve shirt $29.99 "The Struggle Within" women's crew neck sweatshirt $44.99 "The Struggle Within" shorts "Undergifor 29.99" Hangman T T-shirt $24.74 "Unforgivable" Dan Mumford T-shirt $32.99 "Where I Can Roam" Gargoyle T-shirt $26.24 "Where I Can Roam" Ladies Black Bamboo T-shirt $24.27 "Where I Can Roam "Where ver I May Roam" Blue Oxidized T-shirt $24.27 "Where ver I May Roam" Blue Oxidized T-shirt $26.24 "Where ver I May Roam" Purple Oxidized T-shirt $26.24 "Where ver I May Roam" Mono Blast T-shirt $24.74 "I can Where to Roam" Rhys Cooper Long Sleeve T-shirt $34. "Enter Sandman" Neverland Retro T-shirt $24.74 "Enter Sandman" Wolfskulljack Long Sleeve T-shirt $34.99 "Don't Tread on Me" T-shirt $26.24 "Sad But True" T-shirt $24.74 "Sad But True" Long-Sleeve T-Shirt $34.99 "Sad But True" Ladies Off Shoulder Shirt $24.74 "Nothing Else Matters" Dan Dippel T-Shirt $32.99 Birth Death Crossed Arms T-Shirt $24.74 Black Album Four-sided Ladies T-Shirt $24.394 $24.394 Available Adjustable Hat 2 But True" / Flaming Skull Masks $23.99 * Vans Black Album 30th Anniversary Sk8-Hi $229.00 *Vans Black Album 30th Anniversary Slip-on $350 * ebay, lowest price
Blackened The Black Album Whisky Pack $101.99 Black Album Snake Goblet $44.99 Black Album Snake Shot Glass $19.99 Black Album Snake Tankard $59.99 "Sad But True" Coffee Cup $16.79 Four-sided Coffee Cup $16.79
Accessories: $252.76 Sentry Leather Black Album Nixon Watch $200.00 "The Struggle Within" Luminous Tote Bag $15.99 "Where I Can Roam" Woven Patch $4.79 "Where I Can Roam" Gargoyle Pin $11.99 Hopuck $19c
Poster/Art: Up to $24,360.26. Black album. Blanket on four sides. $79.99. Aluminum foil on four sides. Square printing. $10.39. Funko Pop! Black Album Deluxe Album: US$49.887 #BlackAlbum 2021 Limited Edition Poster @ US$50: US$350
Black Box Art Collection: Four photos @ 350 USD unsigned / 2,000 USD signed, each with nowhere to travel One-way plaque: Two variations, 250 USD per stadium tour One-way plaque: Six variations, 250 USD each black album 30 Anniversary plaque $275.00, no matter where we roam the show pass Plaque: $750 unsigned / $2500 signed, no matter where we roam guest pass plaque: $750 unsigned / $2500 signed show pass, nowhere to go after the show pass: $750 unsigned / $2500 signed stadium tour pass plaque: $750 unsigned / $2500 signed limited edition of three black record edition prints @ $185 / $1,000 per copy of seven tour posters @ $85 each ("wolf "With people", Noir album, "Nothing to do", "Wherever I roam", "Unforgivable", "Sad but" true" and "Sandman enters.")