You’ve probably seen the name popping up in record store newsletters or floating around the "vinyl community" corners of the internet lately. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher at first. We’re talking about heavy metal cameron winter vinyl, which, despite the name, isn't actually a thrash metal record. Not even close.
Cameron Winter is the frontman of the indie-rock outfit Geese. If you know that band, you know they’re all about jagged guitars and chaotic energy. But his solo debut, Heavy Metal, is a total pivot. It’s quiet. It’s weird. It’s incredibly intimate. Released through Partisan Records in late 2024, the album has spent the last year becoming a certified "must-own" for people who still care about physical media.
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Honestly, the title feels like a bit of a prank. Instead of double-kick drums, you get haunting piano ballads and "wigged-out" lyrics that Nick Cave—yeah, that Nick Cave—called "startling."
The Different Versions You Can Actually Find
If you’re hunting for a copy, don't just grab the first one you see. There are a few distinct pressings out there, and they definitely aren't created equal. Collectors have been chasing the Silver Colored Vinyl edition since it dropped. It looks slick, kinda like molten mercury, which fits the literal interpretation of the title even if the music doesn't.
Then there’s the Urban Outfitters Exclusive. They did a "Sky Blue" variant limited to just 1,000 copies. If you’re a completionist, that’s usually the one that’s going to cost you a premium on Discogs later. Most shops are currently stocking the standard black or the silver, with the silver being the most common "limited" version found in indie retail.
- Standard Black: Great for the purists who think color vinyl sounds worse (they're usually right, honestly).
- Silver Edition: The "Heavy Metal" themed colorway.
- Sky Blue: The UO exclusive for the aesthetic seekers.
There’s even a newer pressing floating around via Hello Merch that’s scheduled for a 2026 restock. It’s labeled as "12-inch Heavy Metal Colored Vinyl," which is basically just the silver again, but the packaging is supposed to be top-tier.
What’s Actually on the Disc?
The music is a trip. It was reportedly recorded in random spots—taxi backseats, public parks, and abandoned basements. You can hear that "lo-fi" grit in the tracks. The lead single "$0" is nearly seven minutes long. It feels like a prayer or a confession, or maybe just a guy losing his mind in a Brooklyn apartment.
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Pitchfork ranked "Love Takes Miles" as one of the best songs of the year. It’s got this soul-folk vibe that feels like it belongs in 1974, not 2025. Other highlights include:
- "Drinking Age" (the one Nick Cave loved)
- "Cancer of the Skull"
- "Nausicaä (Love Will Be Revealed)"
The tracklist is lean. Ten songs. About 44 minutes. It’s the perfect length for a single LP because you don't lose audio fidelity toward the center of the record.
Why the Vinyl Experience Matters Here
Look, anyone can stream this on Spotify. But Heavy Metal is an album designed for the ritual. The production by Loren Humphrey is super warm. It uses a lot of "neo-classical" arrangements—strings and piano that just breathe better on an analog setup.
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Some fans have complained about "surface noise" on the B-side of the silver pressings. It’s a common issue with metallic pigments in wax. If you’re a true audiophile, you might want to stick to the black vinyl to avoid that hiss during the quiet parts of "Nina + Field of Cops."
How to Get Your Hands on It
Buying vinyl in 2026 is getting pricey, but this one is still relatively accessible. You can find it at:
- Rough Trade (usually carries the silver)
- Urban Outfitters (for that sky blue variant)
- Local Indie Shops (distributed via Virgin/AMPED)
Prices usually hover around $30 to $35. Don’t pay more than $45 for the standard silver unless you’re desperate.
If you're a fan of Geese, this might shock you. It's not a "jam" record. It’s a songwriter record. It’s Cameron Winter showing he’s more than just a guy who can scream over loud guitars. He’s a "chameleonic master," or so the critics say. I just think it sounds great when the sun’s going down and you’ve got a drink in your hand.
Your Next Steps
- Check the UPC: If you're buying online, look for 5400863170660. That’s the silver edition.
- Clean your record: Since this is a "soft" album with a lot of silence, even a tiny bit of dust will pop. Use a carbon fiber brush before the first spin.
- Compare prices: Don't get gouged on eBay. Hello Merch and Partisan's official store often do "back in stock" alerts that save you $20 over the resellers.