Recently, VAN HALEN unveiled a brand-new boxed set that shines a spotlight on the iconic band’s second era, featuring Sammy Hagar on vocals, Eddie Van Halen on guitar, Alex Van Halen on drums, and Michael Anthony on bass
This remarkable collection includes freshly remastered versions of four multi-platinum studio albums, coupled with a selection of rare tracks recorded between 1989 and 2004.
Dubbed “The Collection II,” this treasure trove is now available on either five LPs for $124.98 or five CDs for $49.98. Notably, all the music within this set has undergone meticulous mastering directly from the original master tapes, overseen by the band’s seasoned engineer, Donn Landee. For fans eager to get an up-close look at “The Collection II,” an unboxing video featuring Hagar and Anthony is available for viewing.
This new release serves as the much-anticipated sequel to “The Collection,” which was unleashed in 2015, spotlighting the six studio albums produced by the band’s original lineup, featuring the inimitable David Lee Roth on vocals. “The Collection II” picks up where its predecessor left off, encapsulating the era marked by Sammy Hagar and encompasses the four consecutive No. 1 albums: “5150” (1986), “OU812” (1988), “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” (1991), and “Balance” (1995).
The journey commences with “5150,” VAN HALEN‘s seventh studio album and their inaugural chart-topper on the Billboard 200. Certified platinum six times over in the United States, this record treated fans to hits like “Dreams,” “Love Walks In,” and “Why Can’t This Be Love,” the latter of which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Two years later, the group returned with “OU812,” a quadruple-platinum sensation that delivered four Billboard Hot 100 hits, including “Finish What Ya Started” and “When It’s Love.”
The accolades continued to pour in with “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge,” which earned VAN HALEN their first Grammy Award for “Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album.” This album not only debuted at No. 1 but also maintained that position for three weeks, achieving triple-platinum certification. It spawned an astounding seven singles, featuring hits like “Poundcake,” “Top Of The World,” and “Right Now.”
In 1993, the band treated fans to their first live album, “Live: Right Here, Right Now,” before returning in 1995 with “Balance,” their final studio album with Sammy Hagar. This album marked another commercial triumph, debuting at No. 1, selling over three million copies, and garnering a Grammy nomination for “The Seventh Seal.”
“The Collection II” reaches its conclusion with “Studio Rarities 1989-2004,” an exclusive compilation that assembles eight hidden gems from the Hagar era, many of which are making their debut appearance. Among these rarities is “Crossing Over,” the B-side to “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” from the “Balance” album and the band’s sole non-album B-side.
This compilation also boasts other exceptional highlights, including the band’s rendition of LITTLE FEAT‘s “A Apolitical Blues” and the instrumental “Baluchitherium,” which were originally omitted from the vinyl releases of “OU812” and “Balance,” respectively. Furthermore, the set includes two tracks the band contributed to the “Twister” soundtrack — “Humans Being” and the Grammy-nominated “Respect The Wind.” Completing the set are “It’s About Time,” “Up For Breakfast,” and “Learning To See,” all recorded during the band’s temporary reunion with Hagar in 2004. All three tracks made their debut that year on VAN HALEN‘s second greatest-hits compilation, “The Best Of Both Worlds.“
“The Collection II” 5-LP track listing
LP One: 5150
Side One
01. Good Enough
02. Why Can’t This Be Love
03. Get Up
04. Dreams
05. Summer Nights
Side Two
01. Best Of Both Worlds
02. Love Walks In
03. 5150
04. Inside
LP Two: OU812
Side One
01. Mine All Mine
02. When It’s Love
03. A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)
04. Cabo Wabo
Side Two
01. Source Of Infection
02. Feels So Good
03. Finish What Ya Started
04. Black And Blue
05. Sucker In A 3 Piece
LP Three: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
Side One
01. Poundcake
02. Judgement Day
03. Spanked
04. Runaround
05. Pleasure Dome
Side Two
01. In ‘N’ Out
02. Man On A Mission
03. The Dream Is Over
04. Right Now
05. 316
06. Top Of The World
LP Four: Balance
Side One
01. The Seventh Seal
02. Can’t Stop Lovin’ You
03. Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)
04. Amsterdam
05. Big Fat Money
06. Doin’ Time
Side Two
01. Aftershock
02. Strung Out
03. Not Enough
04. Take Me Back (Déjà Vu)
05. Feelin’
LP Five: Studio Rarities 1989-2004
Side One
01. A Apolitical Blues
02. Crossing Over
03. Baluchitherium
Side Two
01. Humans Being
02. Respect The Wind
03. It’s About Time
04. Up For Breakfast