Spring has sprung and April is here. Which can only mean one thing, Record Store Day is just a couple of weeks away. While debate about the big days relevance rages on, there are some absolute bangers on this years list that rock and heavy metal fans won’t want to miss out on. So, with that in mind, we’ve scoured this year’s offerings and cherry picked our top ten releases!
Remember, these will only be available via your local independent store on Saturday April 18th. Meaning there’s no point lurking outside your local hmv or browsing Amazon for them. If you don’t know where your closest indie store is, you can find your local participating retailer here.
1. Fall Out Boy – So Much For (2our) Dust
No Record Store Day list would be complete without a good live album and despite some seriously impressive efforts from the likes of Judas Priest and Pink Floyd. It’s Fall Out Boy that deserve the blue ribbon this year for their three LP set, So Much For (2our) Dust.
Featuring 29 songs recorded at New Yorks legendary Madison Square Garden during the bands sold-out celebration of their 2004 debut, Take This to Your Grave. This collection is packed with all the hits you’d expect. As well as plenty of special guests, covers and deep cuts, all pressed on three different colours of gorgeous wax. Making it our pick of bunch!
2. Arcane Roots – Melancholia Hymns
Once one of the industry’s hottest properties, alt-rock outfit Arcane Roots are making a comeback this year. With performances scheduled at 2000trees and ArcTanGent festival. As well as releasing their first new material for years. We can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for them.
All of which makes this year’s reissue of the bands second studio album, which has achieved a bit of a cult status over the years, even more tempting. Especially with original pressings changing hands for over £200! Making this one of Record Store Days best bargains.
3. Bring Me the Horizon – LO-FILES
Previously only available via Spotify, Bring Me the Horizon’s LO-FILES compilation is finally making its way to physical media thanks to Record Store Day.
Featuring laid back, lo-fi re-interpretations of 23 tracks hand-picked from Bring Me the Horizons back catalogue. Re-imagined by the likes of No Spirit, HM Surf and Drxnk. We would usually say this isn’t one to sleep on, but this double LP is so relaxing that might not be an option!
4. Paramore- All We Know is Falling
Paramore’s debut album, All We Know is Falling is a record that really should need no introduction. With a track list full of hits like Pressure, Emergency and My Heart, this stone-cold classic deserves a place on every record collectors shelf.
Pressed on smoky red vinyl, this RSD edition really ups the ante too, thanks to the inclusion of a bonus LP featuring the bands elusive Summer Tic EP. Meaning that if you don’t own a copy already, picking this one up should be a no brainer!
5. Megadeth – Hidden Treasures
Having said their final farewell earlier this year with their self-titled seventeenth studio album. Megadeth still have a few gems that have never seen the light of day on vinyl.
Chief among which is their offering for this year’s RSD list, Hidden Treasures. Featuring plenty of rare cuts and cheeky cover versions of Alice Coopers No More Mr Nice Guy and Paranoid by Black Sabbath. All pressed on funky purple wax. Meaning that this collection of rarities should be on every thrash fans shopping list.
6. Sleep Token – Caramel
Vessel and his masked collective are no strangers to Record Store Day. With their extremely limited pressing of Sundowning having thrown the resale market into disarray back in 2022.
This year they’re back with something even more special, a liquid filled 12″ featuring hit single, Caramel. Which we have a sneaky suspicion has been pressed by the mad scientists over at Bad World Records. There’s no word yet on the number of copies but we expect this to be extremely limited so if you really want a copy, you’ll need to be up early on Saturday!
7. Motorhead – The Lost Tapes Vol.7
Like the rising and setting of the sun, a Motorhead release on Record Store Day is pretty much a given at this point. However, while Chiswick Records continue to recycle and repackage the bands eponymous debut. It’s the bands Lost Tapes series that has really ruled the roost since 2022.
Now up to its seventh volume, this year’s release looks set to continue the trend too. With the first ever vinyl release of Lemmy’s 50th Birthday show at LA’s iconic Whisky a GoGo. A show that has since become infamous thanks to a surprise performance from the one and only Metallica. Making it a must have for fans of Motorhead and the Bay Area thrashers alike.
8. Muse – Muse/Muscle Museum EP’s
With anticipation already building for their latest album, The Wow! Signal. Muse are turning the clock back all the way to the start this Record Store Day. Dropping exclusive pressings of their self-titled and Muscle Museum EP’s.
Featuring the first iterations of tracks that would later go on to form the core of their debut album, Showbiz. These two EPs are a window into the humble beginnings of one of the UK’s biggest rock bands. Making them a worthwhile addition to any vinyl collection.
9. Massive Wagons – Full Nelson
Metal for Good ambassadors, Massive Wagons have been going from strength to strength of the past few years. With their last three releases having rocketed into the top 10 on the UK album chart. As well as tours alongside the likes of Thunder, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Status Quo. There seems to be no stopping the Lancashire born quintet.
It was the bands fourth album, Full Nelson that started it all though. Making this RSD reissue, pressed on patriotic red, white and blue splatter vinyl all the more poignant. As well as a great starting point for anyone that hasn’t already been swayed by the bands razor sharp brand of old school rock and roll.
10. Look Outside Your Window- S/T
Last but not least, an album that has achieved near mythical status over the last ten years, Look Outside Your Window. Recorded in the studio downtime during Slipknots All Hope is Gone sessions. This brainchild of Corey Taylor, Jim Root, Sid Wilson and Shaw Crahan has been hinted at, teased and mentioned in hushed whispers for over a decade. Making it arguably the most hotly anticipated release of the weekend.
While we hope that there’s a general release to come later on this year, this might be your only chance to bag a copy. So, we highly recommend adding this one to your shopping list this Record Store Day!
For more information on this years event, you can head over to Record Store Days official website. Where you can check out the full list of this years releases. We’ll see you all in the queue bright and early on Saturday 18th of April!
