The Misfits (U.S.): Glenn Danzig (vocals); Franché Coma, Doyle, Bobby Steele (guitar); Jerry Only (bass guitar); Arthur Googy, Mr. Jim, Robo, Joey Image (drums).

The Misfits' legend grew over the years following the original band's breakup to warrant an increasing number of compilations like Legacy of Brutality and the boldly titled Collection (followed some years later by, but of course, Collection II). Sometimes worthwhile, sometimes incredibly slapdash, they fueled the fire but still did the fans a major disservice, especially given the repetition and overlap on many releases. Though it has its flaws, the coffin-shaped Box Set finally put things as right as seems possible with the Misfits, exhaustively covering all the releases the late-'70s/early-'80s version of the group put out (the exception being Walk Among Us due to a label-rights situation). The first two discs feature, respectively, the material on the two Collection releases and Legacy of Brutality, Evilive, and Earth A.D.. The third compiles a slew of different demo and recording sessions, including the original trio lineup (with Danzig on electric piano) on the "Cough/Cool"/"She" single takes, while the fourth presents the planned-but-never-released-as-such Static Age for the first time. Though recording quality itself varies widely over the discs and arguably some of the mastering could have been sharper (Danzig's own occasional remastering jobs in previous years weren't used here), it's still an explosive and exhaustive effort that any fan needs. The biggest downside: While the sessions on the third disc are thoroughly detailed, the studio cuts on the first two discs are placed without comment as to which sessions produced them, while aside from Evilive and Earth A.D. most of the time it's not clear in the slightest which takes were the ones actually released at the time by the band. The accompanying booklet does a good job in making up for this, though; besides a great band history from then-roadie/photographer and future Danzig bassist Eerie Von, there are complete lyrics for every song, a slew of amazing photographs from concerts and other shoots, and an exhaustive discography. ~ Ned Raggett

BOX SET contains most of the Misfits recorded output, including COLLECTIONS I AND II, LEGACY OF BRUTALITY, EARTH A.D., EVILLIVE, and even the legendary long lost STATIC AGE album. Rarities, unreleased studio cuts and almost every cough, hiccup and burp that the original Misfits committed to tape in their all-too-brief history as a recording unit are also featured. The best of the unreleased material includes killer versions of "Night of the Living Dead," "I Turned Into a Martian," "Violent World," and "20 Eyes."

Collectors may have most of this stuff in one form or another, but for a fan desiring the vast majority of the Misfits crucial releases (and not much wasn't crucial), this is a must-have. As an added bonus, fans will salivate over ex-Samhain member Eerie Von's liner notes and the comprehensive lyrics. The packaging (a mini-coffin) is probably the most appropriate design for a box set yet to be produced.