If you were alive in 1992, you couldn't escape it. That heavy, churning riff of "Sex Type Thing" was everywhere, blasting from rolled-down windows and flickering across MTV in high rotation. Stone Temple Pilots didn't just arrive; they exploded. But they also got hammered by the press. Critics called them "grunge clones" or "Pearl Jam lite," which, looking back, feels pretty ridiculous considering how unique Scott Weiland’s swagger actually was. Decades later, the Stone Temple Pilots Core Super Deluxe edition arrived to basically set the record straight. It’s not just a cash grab. It’s a massive, sprawling document of a band that was far more sophisticated than the "Seattle-wannabe" label ever suggested.
The Sound of 1992 Reimagined
When Rhino released this box set to celebrate the 25th anniversary, they didn't just slap on a few b-sides and call it a day. They went deep. You get the original album remastered, which honestly sounds punchier than the muddy CDs we all had in the 90s. The low end on "Wicked Garden" finally has that chest-thumping weight it deserves. But the real meat—the stuff that actually matters to die-hard fans—is the treasure trove of demos and live recordings.
It’s wild to hear the "Mighty Joe Young" demos. For those who don't know, Mighty Joe Young was the band's original name before they ran into some legal trouble with a blues guitarist who had the same moniker. Listening to these early versions of tracks like "Piece of Pie" is like watching a polaroid develop in real-time. You can hear the transition from a funky, almost Red Hot Chili Peppers-inspired California vibe into the heavy, sludge-drenched rock that defined Core.
What’s Actually Inside the Box?
Usually, these "Super Deluxe" packages are mostly filler. Not here. The Stone Temple Pilots Core Super Deluxe includes four CDs and an LP. You get:
- The original 1992 album remastered.
- A disc of demos and b-sides (including the legendary "Only Dying").
- Two full live sets from 1993, including the iconic MTV Unplugged performance.
- A Blu-ray with a 5.1 Surround Sound mix and the original music videos.
The inclusion of "Only Dying" is a huge deal for the lore. It was a song intended for the The Crow soundtrack, but after Brandon Lee’s tragic death on set, the band felt it was in poor taste to include it. For years, it was a holy grail for collectors. Having it officially mastered and available is a highlight of the set. It’s a haunting, slower track that shows a different side of Scott’s early vocal range—less of the baritone growl and more of the melodic vulnerability that would later define Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop.
The Live Energy: From Small Clubs to MTV
If you want to understand why STP became one of the biggest bands in the world, you have to listen to the live discs. The show from the Castaic Lake Natural Amphitheater in 1993 is raw. It's loud. It's a band that knows they are winning. Weiland’s stage presence, even just through the audio, is electric. He’s playful, he’s aggressive, and he’s hitting every note.
Then you have the MTV Unplugged session. Man.
There was a time when every band had an Unplugged, but STP’s was different. They didn't just play acoustic versions of their hits. They rearranged them. "Plush" became this campfire singalong that felt intimate and massive all at once. The Stone Temple Pilots Core Super Deluxe preserves this moment perfectly. It serves as a reminder that underneath the distorted guitars, these guys were incredible songwriters. Robert DeLeo’s bass lines are jazz-influenced and complex, and Eric Kretz’s drumming provides a swing that most of the moody Seattle bands lacked.
Why People Still Argue About This Album
There’s a weird tension with Core. Even now, some purists look down on it. They point to the "plaid-shirt" aesthetic and say it was manufactured. But if you listen to the Stone Temple Pilots Core Super Deluxe with fresh ears, that argument falls apart. "Creep" isn't a "Jeremy" rip-off; it’s a folk-tinged exploration of isolation that sounds uniquely like Weiland.
The box set provides context. It shows the work. You see the band grinding in the studio, trying out different takes, and finding their voice. It wasn't an overnight success manufactured by a label; it was the result of years of playing in San Diego and Los Angeles clubs under various names.
The Physical Experience
Let’s talk about the actual "stuff." The packaging is high-quality. You get a hardcover book filled with rare photos and liner notes that provide a lot of behind-the-scenes info on the recording process at Rumbo Recorders. Producers like Brendan O'Brien get their due here. O'Brien was the secret sauce for so many 90s bands, but his work on Core was masterful. He captured a "big" sound without it feeling processed.
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The vinyl included is a nice touch, too. It’s a 180-gram pressing that sounds incredibly warm. If you’re a collector, that’s usually the selling point right there. But for the average fan, the Blu-ray’s 5.1 mix is the sleeper hit. Hearing "Dead & Bloated" in surround sound is... well, it’s an experience. The megaphone vocal intro actually feels like it’s circling the room.
How to Get the Most Out of the Set
If you're going to drop the money on the Stone Temple Pilots Core Super Deluxe, don't just skim it. Start with the demos. It’s the best way to appreciate the final product.
- Listen to the Mighty Joe Young demos first. See where they started.
- Play the remastered album at high volume.
- Watch the music videos on the Blu-ray. The visual style of the early 90s was so specific—lots of high-contrast colors and weird angles.
- End with the Unplugged set. It’s the perfect comedown.
Is It Worth the Upgrade?
Honestly, if you only casually like "Plush," the standard remaster is probably fine. But if you care about the history of alternative rock, this is essential. The Stone Temple Pilots Core Super Deluxe is a corrective. It’s an argument for the band’s legacy. It proves that Stone Temple Pilots weren't just "in the right place at the right time." They were a powerhouse unit with a frontman who was perhaps the last true rock star of his generation.
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The tragedy of Scott Weiland’s later years often overshadows how brilliant he was at the start. This box set brings the focus back to the music. It’s a celebration of a moment when four guys from California managed to capture the angst, the melody, and the sheer power of an era. It’s heavy, it’s beautiful, and it’s loud. Exactly how it should be.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check Digital vs. Physical: Many of the tracks are available on streaming platforms, but the 5.1 Blu-ray mix and the "Only Dying" demo are best experienced via the physical box set for maximum audio fidelity.
- A/B Test the Remaster: Compare the 1992 original CD to the 2017 remaster. Listen specifically to the separation between Robert DeLeo's bass and Dean DeLeo's guitar during the bridge of "Wicked Garden."
- Research the Gear: For guitarists, the liner notes offer a glimpse into the rigs used. Dean DeLeo famously used a 1978 Les Paul Heritage Series 80 through a Demeter TGP-3 three-channel preamp.
- Explore the B-Sides: Beyond "Only Dying," look for "Piece of Pie" (Demo) to hear how the song’s signature odd-time signature evolved from a more standard rock beat.