Some of you might know Niklas Holm from his two solo projects: Broken Cross and Extermination Temple. Based in Sweden, Holm also runs a small but cool label called Apocalyptic Visions. I'm a big Integrity fan, and I first came across Holm's work when his Broken Cross project released an EP on Dwid Hellion's Holy Terror label back in 2013. Since I know he's a devoted vinyl hunter, I invited Holm to the site's Record Collector club.
How long have you been collecting records?
I’ve been buying records ever since I was a kid, though, I started seriously collecting in 1997. That’s when I started looking for first pressings, paying larger sums of money for rare records, and so on.
Where/how do you usually find your records?
These days I mostly use Discogs, eBay, private sales, and other trading methods online. I also go to record stores and dig through the bins occasionally. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, the smell of vinyl, and being surrounded by like-minded people.
What is the most you paid for a single album, where/how did you obtain it, and what was it?
I paid $1000 for a Chung King Can Suck It LP back in 2003/2004. I bought it from a guy whom I believe was the original owner. After a year or so of negotiating back
and forth, I finally pulled the trigger and made the best offer I could at the time. I was a little afraid that I had paid too much, and also that the package would get lost or damaged in the mail, but everything went smoothly, and by today’s standards, $1000 is a steal for that record.
I also paid around the same amount for the first Bathory LP with the “yellow goat” cover. This was fairly recently and although the price was higher than I had anticipated, I’m glad to finally own it. Let’s face it, prices for these kind of records won’t drop any time soon.
What is your most prized record and why?
It’s impossible to choose just one record, so I would have to say my entire Integrity collection. I’m pretty close to having a full collection of every pressing of every Integrity release ever made. I have lots of one-off/ultra rare stuff like the In Contrast of Sin 7” with misprint cover, a rejected one-of-a-kind Those Who Fear Tomorrow test pressing, The Blackest Curse LP test pressing limited to two copies and many, many others. Having said that, I do own a lot of other records which are probably more valuable from a monetary point of view. Stuff like early '80s NYHC, Swedish hardcore, Japanese punk etc.
Is there anything that frustrates you about the whole record collecting scene?
Not really. I try not to pass judgement on anyone and we’re all a bunch of freaks anyway.
Which albums are still on your want list that you've had a tough time tracking down through the years?
I’m still looking for a few Integrity records: a test pressing of Seasons in the Size of Days on Victory, for instance. Two other major wants are an original copy of Zouo The Final Agony 7” and Mayhem Deathcrush 12” on Posercorpse. They do turn up every now and then on sites like Discogs, it’s just a matter of finding them for the right price.
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Follow Niklas on Instagram and hit the brother up if you have that Integrity stuff he needs!
Tagged: black metal, hardcore, record collector
