News : Utopia Records celebrates 35 years of metal
Sydney’s much loved Utopia Records is celebrating its 35th anniversary and they want you to celebrate with them.
To survive a flood, multiple relocation’s and Sydney’s volatile retail market is impressive enough, to do it selling heavy music is another level altogether.
The Home Of Metal, Utopia Records in Sydney Australia turns 35 years old this month. A very impressive milestone for a retail store in general, let alone one that specializes in selling Heavy Metal! They have survived a flood, the death of glam metal via the birth of grunge, the wane in popularity of heavy music in general in the early 2000’s and are still standing today during heavy music’s resurgence to the mainstream.
With music moving into the digital world, Utopia still stands strong due to metal fans’ total devotion to their genre. It’s not just about the music (files or otherwise), its the lifestyle, the camaraderie and the sense of community that Utopia stands for that has kept customers coming back. It’s literally home base for anyone into the stuff your mum warned you about. The shop looks exactly like the 15 year old customers bedroom at home! Posters of metal heroes line the walls, memorabilia is everywhere, the music’s up loud and the hair is flying on the store TV’s.
Utopia is such an integral part of metal folklore that it is renown the world over. If you’re old enough to remember any one of the 7 locations its had around the city you may remember stories about Lars and James sitting on the floor going through a mountain of records deciding what to buy during their first trip here on the Justice tour. Who could forget the countless in-stores that always ended in Slayer or Sepultura or some other major band signing a skull for the Utopia Trophy Case? The yellow and black shopping bags were also a sign of status once you walked out of the shop. Those who recognised them knew where you had been and gave an approving nod.
Utopia remains one of the only places outside a gig you can meet your metal heroes too with in stores still being a regular occurrence. Next up, German groove kings, Kadavar will be playing a set in store on Nov 27! Utopia’s current location on Kent Street, opposite Town Hall has been their home for the last three years and with the latest and greatest in heavy stuff on offer, it looks set to remain a Sydney institution for another 35 years!
To celebrate Utopia’s 35th Anniversary, they are having a huge sale both in store and online with everything being heavily discounted. There will be a special WALL OF HISTORY display that will take you for a trip down Metal Lane with photos of the old stores, signings, events and other awesome stuff. To further enhance their history they’ll be playing a broad range of music from the last 35 years too!
Sale Starts Saturday, Oct 26 @ 10am till Sunday, Nov 3 @ 11pm. Don’t miss out!
For more information go to: www.utopia.com.au
About Anwar Rizk
Anwar is the editor-in-chief of Metal Obsession.net. When Anwar isn't busy promoting tours, interviewing bands and reviewing awesome music, he loves to collect metal vinyl and play video games. Follow Metal Obsession on Twitter and FacebookLatest News
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