It’s getting heavy in here. Chuck D – Official Ambassador for Record Store Day 2014.
Well if the audiophiles over at Wax Poetic are right (and historically they are pretty right on), then the answer is YES. WP “rumored” Record Store Day release list is chock full of vinyl releases from some big heavies like Mastodon, Motörhead, Pantera as well as six picture discs from Bathory (!). You can see the massive list here.
But since I know you visit this blog to get enlightened by my metal knowledge, I’ve taken the liberty to cull out headbanging selections that deserve your hard earned dollars this year. But before I get to that, here’s the one thing that I know I’m not alone in coveting this year. A new vinyl figure by artist Frank Kozik of NICK CAVE.
Participating US RSD stores had to order mini-Nick way in advance from the UK, so it’s kind of impossible to say how many your favorite RSD spot will have, if any. All of Kozik’s figures fly off the shelves, and this one will be no exception, so good luck. Now, on to my very metal picks for RSD 2014!
Prong – Turnover b/w Revenge Best Served Cold. Pressed on green/white marble. (3000 copies)
Soundgarden – Superunknown – The Singles (5×10 set)
Machine Head Killers & Kings (Demo) b/w Our Darkest Days (Ignite Cover ). Presented with four different sleeves (1000 copies each).
Motörhead – What’s Words Worth, Live in 1978. Pressed on 180 gram red vinyl
Motörhead – Motörhead. Douple LP pressed on 180 gram white vinyl
Deep Purple – Shades of Purple 7″ (originally recorded in 1968)
Testament Live in London. Double LP pressed on 180g red vinyl
Rainbow Rockplast 195–Black Masquerade. Triple record set pressed on 140g red vinyl
Pantera Far Beyond Driven Double LP
Mastodon Live at Brixton Double LP + DVD
Hawkwind – Church of Hawkwind (originally released in 1982). Double LP pressed on 180g clear vinyl
Bathory Bathory (1983)
Bathory Under the Sign of Black (1986)
Bathory Blood Fire Death – (1988)
Bathory Hammerheart (1990)
Bathory Twilight of the Gods (1991)
*All on picture disc*
Ghoul – Hang 10 (10″) – A six-song limited edition EP release from the Oakland thrashers.
Various Artists New Heavy Sounds Volume 3 – this UK 12″comp features Black Moth, Cornwall metalers, Monolithian, and eight other headbanging bands that just might become your new favorite heavies. Highly recommend seeking this one out.
And if your head isn’t spinning off yet, Mudhoney will release a couple of sweet pieces of wax this year – a split with fellow Seattle legends The Sonics, and Mudhoney on Top, (a love-child release by Sub Pop and KEXP, limited to 2700 copies), that captures the bands historic live performance on top of the Space Needle in 2013.
Releases from Bowie, RSD regulars, The Ramones, and Husker Du, and The Stranglers also get a nod from my heavy metal hair this year. And, like I always say, start saving now! This Record Store Day is going to be tough on your wallet, but totally worth it.
