Holy heavy metal

Christmas came early for Metal fans around the world with the recent release by Rhino Records. The Heavy Metal Box Set (original name) features all the excellent stuff one would come to expect from Rhino, including unique packaging - this time in the form of a classic Marshall Amp - and tons (literally) of cool photos, stories and liner notes.

But what truly makes this box special is the all-encompassing set list. From metal's early days of Steppenwolf and Uriah Heep to the speed metal of Megadeth and even a little hair metal tossed in for good measure.

Though overdosed with the predictable tracks, what's interesting are the less-than-famous songs by such metal masters as Iron Maiden, "Phantom of the Opera"; Angel Witch, "White Witch"; Mercyful Fate's "Black Funeral" and cool tracks by Loudness, Raven, Helloween and Sepultura.

And while it essentially ends around the early 90s with no mention of Nu-Metal Masters like Korn, System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine or Limp Bizkit (thank god for small favors), this is still a pretty nasty set.

And all that metal ... only $60.

See it for yourself ... http://www.rhino.com/store/ProductDetail.lasso?Number=187388