About
Dawn of the Deadwax is a niche music blog focused on the bands and eras that mean the most to me as a collector: Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Pink Floyd, The Smiths, Morrissey, and the many rare or unusual releases connected to them. I also occasionally write about other prog, metal, doom, and underground artists that fit the same style and atmosphere. Along with unofficial pressings, I also cover official releases, box sets, reissues, and anything else that stands out in the world of physical media.
This site is not a news feed or a database. It is a personal archive where I write about rare pressings, unofficial vinyl releases, historic recordings, and official editions that deserve attention. Everything here reflects my own listening habits and experience as a longtime fan and collector.
A note about unofficial releases
I do not sell, produce, press, or distribute any unofficial or bootleg material, and I do not link to downloads or sellers. Please don’t ask. If you are looking for a title mentioned here, the best way to find it is the same way collectors have always found these things: through Google searches, auction sites, marketplace listings, record fairs, and general digging.
Many recordings that appear on modern bootleg vinyl can already be found online for free on sites like YouTube, Internet Archive, fan communities, or trackers. Ideally, collecting and trading live recordings should be for fans, by fans, and free of charge, the same way the old tape trading scene worked. Physical records cost money to produce, so there will always be a commercial side to it, but the spirit should still remain fan driven.
Whenever an official release exists, I believe that collectors should support the band and buy the legitimate version. Artists deserve to be paid for their work, and I always encourage readers to pick up the real thing when it is available. If we support these kind of releases, the record companies will be more likely to put out more physical material, which is never a bad thing.
For small bands and independent artists
I sometimes review independent or lesser known bands, especially in metal, doom, prog, and similar genres. If you have something on vinyl, CD, cassette, or digital and you would like me to consider it for a write up, feel free to contact me on Instagram. I cannot promise coverage, but I am always happy to listen.
Why I write
Dawn of the Deadwax is not about hype or traffic. It exists so I have a place to write the kind of long form and collector focused reviews that I always wished were easier to find. Everything here is written honestly, with attention to detail, and with a real love for the music and the records themselves, both official and otherwise.
If you have a music publication and you like my work here, I would be happy to write for you. Please get in touch. Instagram or TikTok is currently the best way to reach out and see the latest, so please follow me on those platforms.
Thanks for reading, and happy hunting.
— indridcold