Just curious, does it matter to you whether an album was released via a particular label? I'm asking because in 2011 I purchased a bunch of albums which were released via Icarus and some via Scarecrow. Both of these are labels from Latin America that distribute albums released by Nuclear Blast, Century Media and Metal Blade elsewhere in other parts of the world.

They are legit copies but rather than having the Nuclear Blast (etc.) logo on the spine, it says Icarus. Is this something of importance to you as a collector - does it bother you if you purchase an album and it is released via a different label/distributor than you originally anticipated?

In this case I had no way of knowing as the store in question, which happened to be local, advertised the albums as being released on Nuclear Blast (etc.) and made no mention of the distributor. Price is not always an indication, I have seen albums released via Icarus that cost about the same (or more in some cases) as those released via a European or American distributor for Nuclear Blast.

Incidentally, do you own any albums released via Icarus or Scarecrow and if so what is your impression of the packaging and the product? Personally, I cannot tell any real difference (other than my comment re. the spine).

I have a copy of Crucible Of Man, bought from Newbury Comics, that is on Scarecrow...not a big deal, really. Came with a poster and everything...seems legit.

I have a bunch of those and I dont see a difference. As far as I know its all the same. As long as its not a CDR I dont care.

I'm kinda in two mindsets - you're right as long as it's not a CDR at the same time I just think I prefer the German or US made cds, not sure why maybe because I am just used to having those in my collection.

Ah it's one of those nitpicking habits I need to rid myself of lol

I don't give a crap if it's an American, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, South American, or Martian pressing - if it's a CD I don't have and the price is right, I'll take it.

It doesn't really bother me what label it is as long as it's a legit version. I'll try and get the same versions within an artist's discography though i.e. if they have original and remastered versions on different labels i'll try and get one or the other.

Usually I go after Japenese pressings whenever I can get them because of the superior sound quality. Other then that, the only label I've collected is Under One Flag releases.

No.