I had a great time on Record Store Day this year. My lovely wife and I got into Edinburgh just before 11am and the shops were already pretty quiet by then. I didn’t have to queue at all and managed to buy my three most-wanted LPs from the list in time for lunch.

First up, we went to Avalanche in the Waverley Market. This shop recently moved to a bigger unit and it’s much improved. It has a great metal section now. I bought Judas Priest’s Live In Los Angeles 1990. It’s not a full show but the sound quality is great and it has a few tracks that you don’t hear live very often.

Following that it was a short distance to Underground Solution on Cockburn Street where I managed to snag my most-wanted record from the RSD list: Stalk-Forrest Group’s St. Cecilia: The Elektra Recordings. This is a compilation of early recordings from the band that later evolved into Blue Öyster Cult. It’s more mellow and psychedelic than BÖC but it’s wonderful stuff. I have this on CD too but this is a nicer package than my CD edition.

I was also able to snag Underground Solution’s last copy of Darkthrone’s As Wolves Among Sheep… Live In Oslo. This is an impressively powerful live recording from the band’s early death metal days. Darkthrone only played a small number of live gigs before deciding to stick to the studio so it’s fascinating to hear them live. Check out Fenriz’ unique spelling of rhythm… that’s drummers for you!

And, because no-one says you have to just stick to RSD titles (or vinyl for that matter), I also bought the new Motörhead On Parole Sessions box set.

I had great time and I’m really chuffed with the records I picked up. Might be my favourite RSD haul so far. Let me know how your Record Store Day went in the comments.