The Vinyl Champ Vinyl & CDs

Review: Depeche Mode's Dodgers Stadium Los Angeles 1990 album captures the band at the height of their Violator tour, which was a pivotal moment in their career and now comes on nice red wax. Recorded live at one of their most iconic performances, this limited-edition vinyl is a trip back to experience the band's dark, synth-driven sound in a massive stadium setting. Featuring hits like 'Personal Jesus' and 'Enjoy the Silence' the set was a well-balanced mix of brooding electronic atmospheres with anthemic energy and it now serves as a great tribute to one of their most unforgettable live shows.

Review: The special and almost 50-year-old live album captures the legendary singer-songwriter at the height of his career and performing to an ecstatic crowd in Melbourne. It's an electrifying listen full of Diamond's powerful stage presence as he blends his iconic hits with a raw, emotive delivery. The 1975 performance features fan favourites like 'Sweet Caroline,' 'Cracklin' Rosie' and 'Solitary Man,' each infused with the energy of the live setting. Diamond's voice, both tender and commanding, shines throughout the set so makes this a lovely listen for fans old or new.

Review: Take a trip back in time with this exquisite live recording of The Doors back in their pomp and heyday. It was on June 5th 1970 that the legendary group fronted by Jim Morrison headed to the Seattle Center Coliseum following widespread plaudits for their recently released Morrison Hotel album in February of the same year. They were warped up in several legal issues but played out of their skin on this night for a broadcast on KUOW-FM radio. It was the fifth and last time they played in Seattle and finds them playing with power and vitality despite a hostile crowd and some sound issues.

Review: Captured during their World Wide Blitz Tour at The Palladium in New York City on 22nd July 1981, this double live LP from British heavy metal royalty Judas Priest showcases the band at the height of their prowess, touring in support of their seventh album Point Of Entry. Following the Platinum selling success of British Steel which saw the members refine their speed metal gallop into mainstream crossover appeal with glossy production and hook-laden anthems such as 'Breaking The Law' and 'Living After Midnight', this set also features first-time road tests of later bangers including 'Solar Angels' and 'Heading Out To The Highway', while the epic rendition of closer 'Tyrant' offers up a far heavier and fester counterpoint to that of its studio version.

Review: This gatefold green vinyl record captures a rare and electrifying live performance from the pioneering electronic music legends. Recorded at their 1997 Tribal Gathering festival headline, it's a showcase of the band's iconic sound that blends groundbreaking synth-driven melodies with hypnotic rhythms and futuristic themes. Performing classics like 'Autobahn,' 'The Robots' and 'Computer World,' Kraftwerk delivered a spellbinding experience that bridged their innovative past and continued influence on modern music all set against the historic backdrop of Luton Hoo Estate. It features plenty of their classics from the time, as well as - shockingly - a new track, titled 'Tribal Gathering' (and also sometimes referred to as 'Luton') that was written especially for the gig, never recorded in the studio and only ever played a handful of times. A great nostalgic trip.

Review: This unmissable two-disc bundle nets Metallica's explosive live performances at the Seattle Center Coliseum on 29-30 August 1989, during their legendary Damaged Justice Tour. Widely regarded by fans as among of the band's finest shows, this tearout time capsule boasts a stellar setlist, including 'Seek & Destroy', 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', 'Creeping Death', 'Battery', 'Master of Puppets' and 'The Thing That Should Not Be'. Unleashed to the world like a cageful of batwinged, sledgehammer wielding demons, it came right after their fourth LP release And Justice for All, which in turn set the Damaged Justice tour in motion; these menacers will always come back to haunt us through the tube amps.

Review: In 1972, musical one-off Stevie Wonder boldly embraced a more experimental and personal style and showcased some innovative use of synths. Backed by his new band Wonderlove, he toured extensively with the Rolling Stones and solidified his status as a trailblazer. This electrifying performance from that year was broadcast on Soul TV WNET 13 in New York City and captures Wonder at his peak and delivering fiery renditions of tracks from his iconic Music of My Mind and Talking Book albums, among others. Presented here with insightful background notes and rare images, this recording is a vivid testament to a pivotal era in Wonder's legendary career.