 Best stores for metal and hardcore music CDGB's Evil Twin (est. 2001, d. 2002) R.I.P. Bell and 32nd Street Phoenix Light a candle for them and burn a witch. La Chinche aka Metal Devastation (est. 2000) 24 W. Camelback Ave. (one block west of central) Phoenix 602-265-6206 MetalDevastation(at)hotmail.com Best metal music store, hands down. Many shirts and posters, classic black metal, death metal, grindcore cds, also lots of current releases of many styles of metal. Specializes in metal from Mexico, but also has rock, and other styles. They always play great music in store. Some vinyl, books, cassettes and videos, as well. East Side Records (est. ~1990) 217 W. University (two blocks west of Mill) Tempe, AZ 85281 480-968-2011 You never know what great find there will be when you go, this store is the best place for anything leaning towards hardcore. Tons of new vinyl, 7,12, and 10-inch slabs of fresh music. Plenty of metal cds you can't find anywhere else (they have a special section). Shirts, obscure videos, zines, mags, and books. Always has flyers for many different upcoming shows. Few tapes. Gopher Records 6 West Route 66 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 520-779-1515 The best reason to go to Flagstaff, Gopher carries every type of music on cd, many used. Special metal section contains hard to find cds and many new releases. No tapes, zines, or good vinyl to speak of. A few nice metal shirts, but as I said, a totally killer metal/hardcore section. other stores Zia Records 3851 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix 602-482-3119 807 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix 2510 W. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix 3655 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson 3370 E. Speedway, Tucson 7940 E. Speedway, Tucson 105 W. University, Tempe If you've never been to one of their stores, you are missing out. Although they have changed in many ways over the years, Zia is still a good place to look for new and used music. Although items are often misplaced, they generally carry alot of metal and hardcore. I always have preferred their staff, selection, and prices compared to Warehouse. Some locations still carry tapes. Always a hot place to pick up flyers for the latest shows. Also have shirts, mags, music dvds and vhs tapes. Rarely any good vinyl. Can't really say one location is better than the other, but the East Thunderbird store is impressive. Rockaway Records 1312 W. Southern #6 Mesa 480-964-6301 They have been around almost as long as Zia, and used to be the best store in the valley for metal vinyl. Still have some rare metal stuff on vinyl. They have branched out into videos and games, but still carry shirts, posters, and tapes. Lots of used cds, but not alot of selection when it comes to metal. They have alot of new metal cds, but they are often pricey. They often have decent sales, and rotate in some cool stuff in their discount bins. Monkey Mambo (used to be Record Surplus) 9201 N. 29th Ave. Phoenix 602-944-9600 (between Metrocenter and Dunlap, just south of the canal) Despite the name, they carry cds and tapes also. The best reason to go to this store is to buy a used record player. Old school metal on vinyl, and also some amazing hardcore amidst the tons of records. Some fine gems in the metal cd section, their metal variety leans towards the more musical styles of metal. Stinkweeds 1250 E Apache Blvd Tempe, 480-968-9490 Don't waste your time. Music for weak people who enjoy the Cure. FYI, they don't carry ANY Slayer cds. Why would you buy music here? Although cool restaurants nearby. |