Tool Ænima (Unofficial) Gatefold 2x Green LP - Rare & OOP AEnima Vinyl Bootleg

$

75

Tool released their second full-length album, Ænima, in the fall of 1996. Despite their rapidly growing fanbase, there were a very limited number of official copies of Ænima printed and sold on vinyl. Every release was out of print shortly after they was released, and it immediately became a rare find. You could easily have made a couple hundred dollars if you had picked up a copy and sold it shortly after they were sold out. Flash forward to the present (just weeks before their long-awaited fifth full-length studio album is finally released), and depending on which pressing and it's condition, you could sell an official print of Ænima on vinyl for up to thousands of dollars. Now, go back to 1996 when someone decided to start making bootleg copies of the Ænima vinyl, and some con-artist notices the devoted fanbase for one of the biggest bands in music wishing they had the new album on vinyl. So, after getting their hands on some of these bootlegs and then using various poorly-monitored websites, they begin to take advantage of unsuspecting fans by claiming the bootlegs are official reissues (which don't exist, even to this day). Others con-artists begin to do it as well, and even more professional/official looking bootlegs are created. On top of that, other people who weren't purposefully conning anyone, and are just buying/selling these prints, unknowingly perpetuate the cycle. Years later, it becomes common enough knowledge that these prints are not official, and forces the assholes out of this specific scheme (where they surely just moved on to the next con involving collectibles, memorabilia, or hobbies). Flash forward to 2010. A woman searches for a copy of Ænima on vinyl for a friend's upcoming birthday who she's been getting very close with in recent months. She finds one online, and is excited to see that this release is pressed on green colored vinyl, which happens to be her friend's favorite color. She briefly hesitates because of the price, but decides it's worth it for such a rare vinyl, and to see the look on her friend's face when she gives it to him for his birthday. So, not knowing how common bootlegs of it are (let alone that there are scammers who still claim that they're reissues), she gets taken advantage of and spends more than she should... 
...and that unofficial, green-colored, double LP vinyl print of Ænima is the one I'm selling. Some of the higher quality bootlegs are less common than others, and can even worth money (luckily, even though she got ripped off, apparently she chose a version that's both higher quality and less common). And since the official releases are even more rare these days (and ridiculously expensive), fans are willing to pay for the better unofficial vinyl pressings. Unfortunately, to this very day, whether it's due to ignorance or not, these bootlegs are still sold and marketed as reissues...There's even some for sale on here right now. Luckily, most of them aren't sold for as much as they would have been years ago. But it still annoys me, especially since there are only some that are considered valuable. I just realized something...Seeing as I cherished this LP for the last decade and since it played a big role in one of the most important relationships and experiences of my life, I guess the con artists who scammed people over the years (or at least one in particular) inadvertently brought some joy, positive experiences, and important lessons to some of the same people they ripped off.
I'm not totally sure why I included all that beyond getting caught up in the nostalgia, but I'm just gonna leave it anyway. Letting go of this vinyl is going to be hard, but also necessary. Plus, I just moved and decided to sell a lot of my vinyl and comics and collectibles in order to make room in my new place. And since I don't know anyone who would appreciate this LP enough, I'm hoping I can find a good home for it. Even though there are some skips and pops here and there (due to the unofficial recording/pressing process), I was always impressed with the quality considering it's a bootleg. It's very listenable to me, though that could differ from person to person. Overall, it's in very good physical condition, especially since it's from 1996/1997 (see photos and condition details).
It's hard to determine how much something like this is truly worth, but send your offers if you're interested. If you're located in the United States, I will ship this for free (via USPS) within 3 days of receiving payment (via PayPal). If you're anywhere else in the world, shipping costs will depend on your location. It will be packed carefully to make sure it's not damaged in transit, including a new plastic protective sleeve, some cardboard and/or bubble wrap for padding, and will be shipped in a high quality box specifically made for vinyl. Thanks for looking! And if you have any questions or would like to see more photos, feel free to message me.

Printed on the back cover: The BMG and Zoo Entertainment logos are trademarks of BMG Music. ? & © 1996 BMG Music. All Rights Reserved. Manufactured and Distributed by BMG Entertainment, New York, NY. Printed in USA. 72445-11087-1 

Barcode: 6 1422-31087-1 1