Fear Inoculum Ultra Deluxe LP

[nxrm]

Just started with "Invincible".
Jeez, the drums sound HUGE with my Ortofon Bronze

Distortion/clipping is still very noticeable, so it's not just a problem of the CD.

What are your thoughts about the etchings? I've seen a few photos that look like the images are smudged (the image on Side F for instance). I wonder if those are printing errors or if all of the etched records have that same smudged-looking image.

Also, the etching on Side H appears to be the image from the slipcover but what's the image on Side J?

[Kittaan]

I don’t know about all that, but rumor is Side Q has Problem 8, Area 52 Remix.

[nxrm]

I don’t know about all that, but rumor is Side Q has Problem 8, Area 52 Remix.

Only available on those $800 signed copies sold on tour of course.

[Spoonman]

Just started with "Invincible".
Jeez, the drums sound HUGE with my Ortofon Bronze

Distortion/clipping is still very noticeable, so it's not just a problem of the CD.

What are your thoughts about the etchings? I've seen a few photos that look like the images are smudged (the image on Side F for instance). I wonder if those are printing errors or if all of the etched records have that same smudged-looking image.

Also, the etching on Side H appears to be the image from the slipcover but what's the image on Side J?

I'm not impressed. The etchings look very flat, like there are some layers missing or something.
Here is a comparison to the Volto! vinyl:


...but I don't care. For me this is just wasted space/material.
And I'm dumb enough to buy it anyway

[hellboy]

The etchings seem mostly like a waste of effort tbh. We'll see what mine looks like when it arrives (presumably tomorrow). I don't anticipate spending much time looking at them regardless of the quality.

I'm pretty happy I'm not sensitive enough to notice the alleged recording issues.

[Spoonman]

...

I'm pretty happy I'm not sensitive enough to notice the alleged recording issues.

I never really noticed them listening to the CD.
Now after having heard the vinyls I got the impression that it mostly appears on
one of the heavy distorted guitars on the left channel.

Nonetheless, the mix sounds very, very nice! From fine details to thundering drums.
I would annotate that the vinyls aren't 100% clean, though. But you really only hear it
at silent passages of the songs.

[hellboy]

tbh I rarely listen to vinyl with an ear for quality - it's more just to fill the room with music. I listen to Lateralus on vinyl all the time, being well aware of it's deficiencies and it has no impact on the experience.

[hellboy]

Got my copy today, some quick thoughts:

• The record sounds great
• The package overall is really nice - great quality materials
• No obvious glue/binding issues
• The etchings on mine seem super faint, almost like only a couple of layers of the art have been "etched". Seems like a waste of time, and really doesn't look anything like the promo images on my copy
• It blows my mind they left a track off, and that the 7empest page has no lyrics on it
• The cover is super shiny which is cool, but I think the art choice here is weird

[xZ1mM3r]

Got my copy today, some quick thoughts:

• The record sounds great
• The package overall is really nice - great quality materials
• No obvious glue/binding issues
• The etchings on mine seem super faint, almost like only a couple of layers of the art have been "etched". Seems like a waste of time, and really doesn't look anything like the promo images on my copy
• It blows my mind they left a track off, and that the 7empest page has no lyrics on it
• The cover is super shiny which is cool, but I think the art choice here is weird

Why is "Litanie contre la peur" not on Disc 2 before Invincible? so weird...

I hope to get a copy of the deluxe vinyl someday... just cant afford the $150+ price tag right now, if anyone is feeling generous reach out and ill send you my address . Im on board with HB though.. i regularly listen to my Lateralus vinyl at home, and dont notice a quality issue at all. My ear isnt tuned enough to be one of those annoying audiophiles that enjoys complaining all the time.

[nxrm]

I'm not impressed. The etchings look very flat, like there are some layers missing or something.
Here is a comparison to the Volto! vinyl:


...but I don't care. For me this is just wasted space/material.
And I'm dumb enough to buy it anyway

Thanks for posting those comparison pictures. That Volto etching is great and is what I was expecting with the Fear Inoculum release. Based on your pic, other photos I've seen online, and Hellboy's review of his copy...sounds like the FI etchings had issues across the entire production.

Along with the exclusion of Litanie contre la Peur and the missing lyrics for 7empest...all a bit perplexing.

*Although if the vinyl sounds good, maybe that's all that really matters.

[hellboy]

Thankfully I didn't buy it for the smudgy etchings. Overall it's a great edition to my collection, and look forward to many listenings. Here are my etchings for those curious:

[nxrm]

Thanks for sharing pictures of your etchings HB!

Yours actually look quite good compared to some of the other pictures I’ve seen online. A lot more vibrant. Maybe the lighting has something to do with the image quality.

Excellent addition to the collection indeed.

[hellboy]

I'm pretty happy with the package overall - my gripes are mostly insignificant and about missed opportunities. I still hope they release a 2 disc (or 3 maybe) version for regular listening!

[Spoonman]

@hellboy

The etchings on my vinyls look like 20% of yours

[tys0n]

Do etchings improve musical fidelity?

Do vinyls?

The answer to both is no.

[Spoonman]

Do etchings improve musical fidelity?

Do vinyls?

The answer to both is no.

Thanks for your insights.

[hellboy]

Do etchings improve musical fidelity?

Do vinyls?

The answer to both is no.

Nor are either of those reasons for purchasing it

[earthrocker]

insufferable

Don't buy it then!

Ps. Mine came with Litanie ClP

[Whowatchesthewampas]

Don't buy it then!

aye, aye sir!

[nxrm]

@hellboy

The etchings on my vinyls look like 20% of yours

Looks like HB has them lit really well to get the images to pop like that, although it may be that there are deficiencies in some of the pressings.

For what it's worth, most of the pictures I've seen of the etchings under natural lighting conditions are similar to yours.

*A couple unboxing videos for reference...

[hellboy]

Yeah, those videos correspond with what I have in mind, so confident I haven't got some kind of misprint. They're just a bit underwhelming.

[trilobite]

I don't know what an etching is, but it's odd an entire track was ommited from the L.P. Specifically such an important track. Makes me wonder

[Spoonman]

I don't know what an etching is, but it's odd an entire track was ommited from the L.P. Specifically such an important track. Makes me wonder

You're not alone

[Shed523]

I don't know what an etching is, but it's odd an entire track was ommited from the L.P. Specifically such an important track. Makes me wonder

If I remember correctly during pre-release listening sessions Litanie contre la Peur was excluded and is the only segue used live other than CCT of coarse. None of it makes sense just a few points. Or maybe it does

[earthrocker]

I don't know what an etching is, but it's odd an entire track was ommited from the L.P. Specifically such an important track. Makes me wonder

If I remember correctly during pre-release listening sessions Litanie contre la Peur was excluded and is the only segue used live other than CCT of coarse. None of it makes sense just a few points. Or maybe it does

My brain!