The box set is the ultimate gift for the avid music fan or collector, providing hours of entertainment, as well as deep dives into albums, eras, and entire discographies.
This year, Mötley Crüe, KISS, Metallica, Slipknot, and RUSH all released jam-packed box sets. So, if you still haven’t purchased a holiday gift for the rocker or metalhead in your life, then look no further than these hearty collections. Because unwrapping a CD or an LP just isn’t that same as tearing the paper off one of these bad boys:
First up we’ve got Mötley Crüe’s Theatre of Pain 40th anniversary box set. In addition to a remastered version of the original album — the vehicle for hits “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” (a cover of Brownsville Station) and ballad “Home Sweet Home” — the $150 super deluxe box set adds a 1985 Long Beach live concert that was never previously released, an album of rare demo recordings, and a 76-page hard-cover book featuring a number of never-before-published photos from the “Theatre of Pain Tour.” Buy it here.
KISS might have more box sets to their name than any band ever, and none may be more essential than this massive Alive! 50th anniversary collection. A super-deluxe 8-LP vinyl edition boasts 120 tracks, 88 of which are previously unreleased, and is priced at $400.48. In addition, it’s packaged with a load of physical goodies, including a 100-page book, a T-shirt, glossy photos, a Peter Criss drumhead lithograph, and many more items. Buy it here.
Metallica took a trip back to the ’90s, revisiting Load with this gargantuan box set that’s essentially a full studio tape dump of everything recorded during the album sessions, from riff tidbits to alternate rough mixes (245 previously unreleased tracks in total). Boasting 15 CDs, six LPs, and four DVDs, the “comprehensive time capsule of 1995-97 era Metallica” retails for $275. Buy it here, or get a lower-priced 2-LP edition here.
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Slipknot celebrated the 25th anniversary of their iconic self-titled album this year, culling together a 6-LP vinyl box set spanning 59 tracks, including the Indigo Ranch demos and more. While officially sold out, the set is available from third party sellers here, while a 2-LP vinyl edition can be picked up for far cheaper at this location.
RUSH superfans had quite a year in 2025, what with the legendary Canadian prog masters’ reunion tour announcement. Earlier in the year, the band unveiled the RUSH 50 anthology consisting of previously unreleased tracks and fan-requested material. Retailing for $374.98, this is a great gift for someone planning to attend the upcoming reunion shows — a crash course in the band’s discography, curated by its most devout fans. Buy it here.
Stay tuned for more heavy gift ideas leading up to the holidays.