Death (2) – Symbolic

This was the absolute worst record I ever bought in of static and actually getting the thing out of that darn paper sleeve. Seriously, why do they keep doing this, I'd be happy to pay a Euro more for a proper lined sleeve.. 🤷‍♂️

Regarding the pressing itself -
my copy was also noticably quiet, which isn't necessarirly a bad thing in my opinion - but listening to this left me pretty un-impressed.. the sound is alright, but far from awesome - and especially towards the end of side A (1000 eyes) I noticed it just sounds rather bad to be frank.
Really wanted to like this as I was looking forward to a re-release very much, but can't recommend this one to be honest.

Unfortunately, this reissue is a disappointment. The sound is much too quiet. This is the first record in my collection that sounds better on CD than vinyl. But that's just my personal opinion.

Unfortunately too much music squeezed on side A, making it sound thin and distorted at the least from track 4 on.

I agree the inner sleeve was a horrible treatmwnt to the vinyl itself, but it plays and sounds great. After taking it out of the sleeve the first time, I don't have issues with it.

Weird how different experiences can be. My copy is quiet, clean and sounds great. Couldn't be happier with it. Musically it is a masterpiece, but I guess you know if you are reading this;) Thanks Chuck, we owe you so much! R.I.P.

Packaging is bland as hell and an absolute embarrassment for a 30th anniversary edition. Vinyl was basically glued to the inner sleeve and impossible to remove. I've got this cranked and it still sounds like it's barely on. It'll be another 30 years before I come across another reissue this weak. Roadrunner put about 6 minutes of effort into this and it shows. Do everyone a favor and hand this beast over to Relapse already.

The 2025 Version is very very near the first press i say.

Solid pressing, but I'm not as hyped as others. It sounds a bit muffled and flat compared to high res digital files, which have more punch, clarity and details, especially the drums. Probably not a surprise when there's more than 26 minutes of very bass heavy music squeezed on side A. But then this isn't my first record with such a duration, so I know it can be done better (see Soundgarden's "Louder Than Love" for example).

The pressing quality also isn't outstanding, but above average for GZ. There some surface noise between tracks, but nothing distracting. Overall I'm still happy to finally have this classic on vinyl.

Perfect re-issue in every way… pressing, printing, mastering are top notch! And finally a release with a printed innersleeve again! 10/10 of cause for this release, as the music is flawless (as you know).

Nothing short of disgraceful quality. Record was stuck in the innersleeve so bad, I couldn’t get it out. Only god knows why. After 10 minutes of vigorously pulling on it, I was met with the most filthiy record I have ever seen. Tried brushing it off. But all the dirt is too stubborn. Oh well I thought maybe it will sound fine then. But hell no this is lifeless as hell. For years they refuse to release the rights and then give us this? This is miles apart from the relapse reissues and not in a good way!