Converge

Not only is Converge one of the best bands in the metal/hardcore scene, but they are also one of the most collectible. Any of the band's releases is available in a myriad of different colors of vinyl, with the rarest variants of albums such as "Jane Doe" or "Axe to Fall" fetching anywhere from $50 to $150 dollars online. Fortunately, the band recently re-pressed "Jane Doe," "You Fail Me," and "No Heroes." Of course, this was only after i spent $50 on an original press of "You Fail Me" on white vinyl, but those things happen.

The first Converge album i heard/owned was "Jane Doe," which i bought on CD back in 2007 or 2008. Upon first hearing the  album, i didn't quite know what to think of it. It took several more listens to digest the layers of instruments and sounds being hurled at me. And to this day, i still can't figure out what the hell Jacob is screaming about. However, i can tell you that this album deserves all of the praise it receives; it is truly a new sound that still to this day has not been replicated by any other artist. Tell me that hearing a song like "Phoenix in Flames" is not a harrowing and frightening experience. Every time the opening riff of "Concubine" comes on, i know i'm in for a rewarding and challenging listen. i was able to snag a copy of "Jane Doe" on green vinyl from MerchNow for about $20, which is a great deal seeing how some sellers on eBay had this listed for $40 to $60. That's one thing about Converge i do not like: the band's catalog is quite prone to being "flipped" for exorbitant amounts on eBay or Discogs. That's out of the band's control, of course. If you are looking to collect Converge's albums on vinyl, be sure you have a lot of money saved up for the venture.

i also recently purchased the re-press of "No Heroes," which was supposed to be available exclusively on black vinyl. However, to my surprise, i received a copy on white vinyl! Reading on some vinyl message boards, i found that others received this surprise variant as well. It was a nice surprise from those tricksters at Deathwish.

Aside from "No Heroes," i also recently purchased the "On My Shield" 7" single. The song itself sounds like it would be right at home on "Axe to Fall," and the artwork for the 7" uses a similar color scheme as "Axe." The b-side features a laser etching which displays the band's logo as the main feature. i bought the green "retail" variant; there are two other variants which were available on the band's tour. 

It may be the cliche that if you collect records, you have a Converge collection, but i fit in both camps. The band is incredible, the artwork and packaging are always top-notch, and of course the many color variants allow one to indulge in his or her inner vinyl glutton fantasies. Definitely a band worth listening to.