Last December the mega popular horror soundtrack label unveiled a subscription package that would guarantee its subscribers five LPs on “subscriber-only” colored wax for $180, including shipping. The subscription service also included merchandise, digital downloads, patches, slip mat, and many more surprises throughout the year. Of course, like most of their releases, the package sold out in a hot minute and the lucky purchasers (myself included) could just sit back and relax while awaiting the five releases throughout 2015.
Waxwork Records is gearing up for their 2016 package, and if you’re still on the fence on whether you should subscribe to an expensive package when most of the releases included in the package are still TBD then I suggest you take a look at 2015’s package below.
This release marked the first time the score was available in any format. The release included a 12 page booklet featuring art, production stills, and proposed tracking listing to the Paramount Pictures executives in 1974. While the regular sale of this pressing included Toxic Blue Haze (to mimic the toxic chemicals used in the film) or 100% Yellow vinyl (to mimic the poison that killed the ants), the subscribers received a very stunning red vinyl with yellow splatter, “Celestial Event.”
Pressed in 180 Gram, this pressing went on sale to the public with two options: metallic gold or “Silver Scream” vinyl, silver with blood red splatter. The subscribers received the two variants combined into one very trippy 3-D effect. Depending on which way you tilted the disc, it changed colors from silver to gold with blood splatter throughout. The pressing also included a digital download of the score and art by the award winning artist, Jaw Shaw.
This release heralded a deluxe LP reissue of Danny Elfman’s score. It featured beautiful artwork by Rich Kelly on a very heavyweight gatefold jacket with a printed insert. The 180 Gram pressing themed their variants after characters from the beloved cult classic, such as “Decker” Skin Mask with blood clot splatter or “Boone/Cabal” blue with cream and white swirl. But subscribers received the “Pelogquin” variant, a dark red with cream swirl.
The release marked a deluxe reissue of the 1979 horror film’s score, which had become increasingly difficult for collectors to find. The label tracked down the original masters and lovingly restored, remised, and remastered the eerie soundtrack. Composed by Pino Donnagio (Carrie, The Howling), this pressing offered the masses 180 Gram Blood Red with Black Marble, but subscribers received the Mannequin with Blood Splatter variant, a white disc with red splatter.
Never before released on any format, Waxwork Records closed out their subscription package for 2015 with this definitive vinyl release. Featuring a primitive synth score composed by Martin Cooper and David Hughes, the label worked with the composers to remix and restore the 1984 cult classic soundtrack. The release features liner notes from the composers, an interview with the film’s director, and artwork from Ghoulish Gary Pullin. The 180 Gram colored vinyl was available in Toxic Waste Puddle or C.H.U.D. Flesh with Blood Splatter. However, subscribers once again lucked out with the Manhole Cover Picture disc, featuring glowing eyes on the B-side.
While Waxwork Records subscription service did not include their every release from 2015, they often offered a head start on release drops before the masses. Including the now sold out Krampus picture disc. If you’re a vinyl junkie, here’s your heads up now. Waxwork Records is dropping news of their 2016 subscription package very soon, so keep on eye on their website or follow on Twitter for details.
