Since I originally blogged about distros in reference with The Slayer Mag Diaries I have ordered from a few mail-orders distros; thus, this post. I plan on creating this post now listing mail order distros and trade places that I have encountered, and I will update the page with reviews of my experience with those that I have dealt with.
A
Abyss Records (http://www.officialabyssrecords.com)
-I ordered my Funeral Mist back patch from here (and they have their albums, which is nice as not everyone does). Shipping was very fast- I was impressed. Packaging was secure. They also threw in some advertising cards with some of their releases on them (they are a record label as well). **NOTE** I just learned that the Funeral Mist back patches from here are bootlegs, both the one I got and the Salvation ones. I’m not sure about other patches; I know a lot of people get their patches from Abyss Records. I am going to try to seek mine out elsewhere in the future because the idea of bootlegging patches from a band that is far underground really distresses me, but of course what you choose to do is up to you. Anyway, know that they’re bootlegs, and that Arioch does not like them.
Angry, Young, and Poor (http://www.angryyoungandpoor.com/store/pc/home.asp)
-Like most punk stores, also caters well to the metal crowd. I ordered a Mayhem t-shirt from here (looks hand screened by someone). The shirt is very nice- good fabric and printing, very sturdy. When I checked out I thought the shipping was a bit high; within a couple of days they emailed me to let me know that they had accidentally overcharged me and had refunded the difference to my credit card. They also ship through UPS, who in my experience is more reliable than Fed-Ex and faster than the USPS (though they don’t deliver on Saturdays anymore). They included a sticker!
Armageddon Record Shop (http://www.armageddonshopboston.com/)
-Official website/store for Armageddon in Providence/Boston. No reviews yet (but a massive selection!).
B
Bazillion Points (http://www.bazillionpoints.com)
-The best little metal bookstore on the web! They published The Slayer Mag Diaries and the Celtic Frost book and the Swedish death metal book, along with a lot of other stuff. They send advertisement cards as well, and they usually have some kind of package where you can get something cool as a free gift (my Arne patch came with my copy of The Slayer Mag Diaries). Shipping is pretty standard, but order from them and they’ll send you stuff to go along with your book!
Black Metal.com (http://www.blackmetal.com)
-Lots of really rare and out of print stuff listed online. Haven’t ordered with them yet, so I can’t review their business…
C
CM (Century Media) Distro (US) (http://www.cmdistro.com)
-I ordered an Immolation album through these guys around Christmas this past year and a t-shirt earlier on in the semester. They have a great clearance section. Shipping was not as fast as through a lot of the others, but it was pretty standard. I have heard that people have had trouble getting their items from CM Distro in the past, but so far I have not had any negative experience (we’ll see. I’ll be pre-ordering the new Marduk album through them).
D
E
Extreme Noise Records (http://www.extremenoise.com)
-Looks like you can’t order through their website, but if you’re ever in Minneapolis, check this place out. I found the Ghost album here (I couldn’t find it elsewhere), and it has a great metal selection in both CD and vinyl (tapes too!). The shop is a co-op run by a few good-hearted punk guys. Great atmosphere and some really cool stuff.
F
G
H
Hell’s Headbangers (shop-hellsheadbangers.com)
-No reviews yet
I
J
K
L
Labyrinthe (http://www.labyrintherock.com)
-No reviews yet
M
Mandilar8n8l (eBay user)
-Ordered a patch of Dead from this guy recently. He sent me a message to let me know why the shipping had been delayed and was very helpful. He has a variety of patches, many of them very colorful. Great reviews. Ships for free in the United States.
N
Norma Evangelium Diaboli (Noevdia) (http://noevdia.com/)
-The guys from Deathspell Omega’s little distro/label. The Ajna Offensive distributes their stuff in the US. Really helpful and quick at responding, super fast shipping as well. Love love love them.
Nuclear War Now! (http://www.nwnprod.com)
-Super fast shipping from these guys, and the item I ordered (Slayer Mag XX) was packaged really nicely to prevent it from getting damaged. NWN also seems to have the hookups with lots of bands (I think they have their own label too) and puts on a festival called NWN Fest which draws some pretty cool bands. Highly recommended- fast shipping, and they take good care of your stuff.
O
P
Q
R
Metal Trade Reddit (http://www.reddit.com/r/metaltrade)
-This subreddit has been around for a couple of months now and is doing fairly well (but they could always use more traffic so go visit!). People post what they have and what they want in return, and continue the age-old metal tradition of trading for stuff you want. Every month the moderators post a link of successful trades, and flair alongside usernames lets you know who has had successful trades so far. DIY goes online. Check it out!
S
Satanisado666 (eBay user)
-The place to get your patches. This guy’s list is inexhaustible and he has great reviews. Super fast shipping, and if you’re in the U.S., it’s free!
T
U
V
W
Wolf Wear (http://www.wolfwear.net/sv/)
-Watain’s official merch distributor. They were backed up for quite a while following the release of the Opus Diaboli DVD. I assume that’s what happened with my order- they were in a tizzy over that and didn’t get around to shipping it quickly. But when I emailed them to inquire I got a prompt response with great apologies, and they sent my hoodie right over. If you don’t live in the EU you will also get the VAT tax refunded at checkout.
X
Y
Z
***
That’s all for now, but as I order from people (and I am going to try to order from smaller/band distros or record stores from here on out) I’ll keep this post updated, as well as keep you updated when I update it.
Later.
-Hagalaz
blackmetallurgy 