Holiday Gift Guide for Music Fans in Your Life
Audio Ink Radio’s 2021 holiday gift guide – Story by Anne Erickson
Gifts to please the rock and metal music fan in your life, available Black Friday and throughout the holiday season
Black Friday is upon us, and the holiday season is in full swing. If you have a music fan on your Christmas list, there are plenty of items out this year that could be a good fit. As fans of music, it’s important to support musicians by purchasing artist merchandise, physical media, digital music and more. After all, selling merchandise makes up a significant part of many musicians’ incomes, especially while touring is still slower than normal.
From special vinyl reissues to books from famous rockers, read on for our 2021 holiday gift guide for the music lover in your life. Many of these items dropped for the first time in this year, so they’re fresh and new.
2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Music Fans:
Nikki Sixx, “The First 21: How I Became Nikki Sixx”: Motley Crue bass player Nikki Sixx’s latest memoir tells the story of his formative years, long before his Crue days, when he went by his birthname of Frank Feranna. The book is a personal, introspective journey, as he reflects on his upbringing and how those early years shaped his eventual rise to stardom with the Crue. It retails at $20.49 for the hardcover version. Find our recent interview with Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue here.
Dave Grohl, “The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music”: Foo Fighters frontman and Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl released his first-ever memoir in 2021, and the book shot to No. 1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list. “The Storyteller” tells the story of Grohl’s dynamic life over the past 30 years in grunge rock, from his early days to Nirvana to the Foos. It retails at $17.99 for the hardcover version.
Nirvana – “Nevermind” 30th Anniversary Edition: Nirvana changed the music world with their groundbreaking 1991 “Nevermind” album. The anniversary edition features the remastered original album, plus four full concert recordings from 1991-1992. While the vinyl version isn’t out until May, a single LP and seven-inch vinyl edition and 5-CD box set are out now. It retails at $39.99.
Ozzy Osbourne – “No More Tears” Vinyl Reissue: After years of fans asking for it, Ozzy Osbourne has released a vinyl reissue of his momentous 1991 album, “No More Tears.” The set features longstanding Osbourne songs such as “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” “Road to Nowhere” and “Desire.” It retails at $39.98.
Frank Bello, “Fathers, Brothers, and Sons: Surviving Anguish, Abandonment, and Anthrax”: Frank Bello of Anthrax recently released his debut memoir, and the book is a deep glimpse into his life, from his difficult childhood to becoming one of the biggest musicians in thrash metal. It runs at $28 for the hardcover version. Find our recent interview with Frank Bello of Anthrax here.
Alter Bridge, Judas Priest, Anthrax and Evanescence Graphic Novels: Music-based graphic novels and comic books are all the rage this year, and Z2 Comics is force behind it. This year, Z2 released graphic novels inspired by, and in conjunction with, a bevy of rock and metal bands, including Alter Bridge, Judas Priest, Anthrax and Evanescence. Prices vary. For more information, visit the Z2 Comics website.
Metallica CLUE: When it comes to board games, CLUE is a longtime favorite. This year, metal fans can get their hands on the official Metallica version of CLUE, giving a heavy spin on the classic game. It runs $49.99. Find more information in Metallica’s webstore.
Metallica Blackened American Whiskey: If the Metallica version of CLUE isn’t enough for the metal fan in your life, the band also has their own whiskey out. Metallica Blackened American Whiskey was aged in casks as Metallica’s famed “Black Album” was played at maximum volume. This gift, of course, is for those 21 and older, especially if they like their whiskey with a dash of metal. It retails at $42. For more details, visit the Blackened Whiskey website.
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