Record Store Day 2026 is shaping up to be absolutely stacked, and my must-buy list is already locked in. From metal classics like No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll by Alcatrazz and Seventh Star from Black Sabbath, to archival treasures from The Doors and a long-awaited live release from Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, this year’s exclusives are pure vinyl gold. Add in the theatrical return of Alice Cooper, the timeless jazz of Vince Guaraldi, and the cult cinematic sound of Meiko Kaji, and you’ve got a collector’s dream lineup.
Here’s my heart-pounding, wallet-trembling, can’t-miss wish list for April 18. If I make it through Record Store Day 2026 without buying these, check my pulse… because something is seriously wrong.
No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll – Alcatrazz
This is where it all began. The explosive 1983 debut from Alcatrazz, powered by powerhouse vocalist Graham Bonnet and the lightning-fast guitar wizardry of Yngwie Malmsteen.
It tore up the Billboard 200 for seven weeks and launched Malmsteen’s legendary solo career, fueled by the unforgettable anthem Island in the Sun.
This Record Store Day deluxe edition is pure collector bliss:
- 2 LP set
- Original album + full instrumental version
- OBI side spine
- Original artwork and printed inner sleeves
- Eye-melting red/black and black/red splatter vinyl
This isn’t just a reissue… It’s a shrine.
Seventh Star – Black Sabbath featuring Tony Iommi
A fascinating chapter in Sabbath history. Released in 1986, this album kicked off Iommi’s collaborations with powerhouse vocalist Glenn Hughes.
Moody, melodic, and packed with arena-sized emotion, it delivered the soaring single No Stranger to Love.
Now it returns newly remastered on dramatic red-and-black splatter vinyl, complete with the single remix. Heavy metal elegance pressed in color.
The Revenge of Alice Cooper – Alice Cooper
Shock rock royalty returns. After more than 50 years, Alice Cooper reunites with the original band to resurrect the dark theatrical magic that defined a generation.
This record drips with vintage horror, swagger, and mischief. It feels like a long-lost artifact from the golden age of theatrical rock… only louder, nastier, and more electrifying.
And it comes on a limited picture disc, because of course it does.
Strange Days 1967: A Work in Progress, Part 2 – The Doors
A psychedelic time capsule. This release digs into the raw studio sessions behind the band’s landmark 1967 album Strange Days.
Expect rough mixes stripped of final overdubs plus previously unreleased session explorations of When the Music’s Over.
It’s like standing inside the studio while history is being created.
It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown / Charlie Brown’s All Stars! – Vince Guaraldi
This one is pure joy. A lovingly crafted tribute celebrating two beloved Peanuts specials:
- It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown
- Charlie Brown’s All Stars!
Pressed on whimsical vinyl shapes and colors, packed with artwork, liner notes, and audiophile mastering.
Even better, part of the proceeds support tree planting through the Arbor Day Foundation. Music that sounds good and does good.
The specials themselves were written by Charles M. Schulz and brought to life by producers Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson. Pure nostalgia, preserved in vinyl form.
Urami Bushi / The Flower of Carnage – Meiko Kaji
Haunting, cinematic, and dripping with cult mystique. These iconic songs, originally released more than 50 years ago, finally arrive together in a full LP-size pressing.
Kaji’s music is inseparable from her legendary film presence, adored by fans worldwide… including filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.
A Japanese import and a must-own for lovers of vintage cinema and atmospheric sound.
Live from Köln 1976 – Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow
A holy-grail concert, finally on vinyl. Recorded September 25, 1976, at Cologne’s Kölner Sporthalle, this show captured Rainbow at full mythic power during their Rainbow Rising tour.
Pressed across three translucent vinyl discs in the colors of the rainbow and newly mastered for maximum impact.
Expect thunderous classics like:
- Stargazer
- Man on the Silver Mountain
Featuring a dream lineup including Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio, Cozy Powell, Jimmy Bain, and Tony Carey.
Nearly 50 years later, this historic performance finally gets the vinyl treatment it deserves.
This lineup is wild. Heavy metal legends, psychedelic history, shock rock theatrics, jazz nostalgia, cult cinema, and historic live recordings… all competing for space in my record bag.
Record Store Day 2026 is not just a shopping trip. It’s a full-blown pilgrimage.
If I come home with all of these, I’ll need:
- more shelf space
- stronger speakers
- and possibly a financial recovery plan
Totally worth it.
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