If you’ve spent any time scouring Discogs or lurking in heavy music subreddits lately, you already know the frustration. Hunting for the I Let It In and It Took Everything vinyl is basically a full-time hobby at this point. It’s one of those records. You know the ones. The kind where the music is so hauntingly perfect that you just need to hear the needle drop on "Two-Way Mirror" or "Is It Really You?" while you’re sitting in a dark room.
But actually getting your hands on a copy? That’s a whole different story.
Loathe didn’t just release an album in 2020. They released a cultural shift for the UK metalcore scene. When the Liverpool quartet dropped this record right before the world shut down, they probably didn't realize they were creating a modern white whale for collectors. It’s a dense, shoegaze-infused, crushing wall of sound that demands a physical format.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With This Pressing
Vinyl collectors are a weird bunch. We like the tactile stuff. We like the gatefold art. For I Let It In and It Took Everything, the aesthetic is just as important as the audio. The cover art—that blurry, ominous figure—looks incredible in a 12x12 format. It captures the exact feeling of the music: claustrophobic, beautiful, and slightly terrifying.
It isn't just about the looks, though. The production on this record is massive. George Lever, the producer who also worked with Sleep Token, managed to balance these disgusting, low-tuned riffs with ethereal textures that sound like they're floating in space. Digital compression sometimes kills those nuances. On a decent turntable setup, the transitions between the chaos of "Aggressive Evolution" and the dreaminess of "A Sad Cartoon" feel way more organic.
Honestly, the demand spiked because the album stayed relevant long after the release cycle. Most "hype" records die down after six months. Loathe didn't. They kept growing. They toured with big names, and suddenly, thousands of new fans were looking for a record that had already sold out its initial runs.
The Variants You’ll Actually See (If You’re Lucky)
Sharptone Records has put out a few different versions over the years, but they disappear almost instantly. Here’s what usually pops up on the secondary market:
- The Crystal Clear with Black Smoke: This is arguably the most common "cool" variant. It looks like a storm cloud trapped in plastic.
- The Solid Red / Black Splatter: A bit more aggressive looking, fitting for the heavier tracks.
- Standard Black: Even the standard black 2LP sets go for way above retail price these days.
- The 2023 Repress: There was a more recent "Silver" or "Grey" pressing that hit stores briefly, but if you weren't hitting "refresh" on the Sharptone store at 10:00 AM, you probably missed it.
I've seen these go for anywhere from $80 to $200 on eBay. It's steep. It's actually kind of ridiculous when you think about it, but that’s the power of a cult classic.
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The Sound of Modern Metalcore on Wax
Why does it sound better on vinyl? It’s not just "warmth." That’s a buzzword people use when they don't know what else to say. For this specific album, it’s about the dynamic range. The album is mastered quite loud, which is common for metal, but the vinyl mastering tends to let the mid-range breathe a bit more.
When Kadeem France screams, it cuts through. When Erik Bickerstaffe starts those Deftones-esque clean vocals, the separation is much clearer.
Does it hold up in 2026?
Absolutely. If anything, I Let It In and It Took Everything has aged like fine wine. In an era where every band is trying to do the "ambient metalcore" thing, Loathe still feels like the gold standard. They aren't just copying a formula; they’re writing actual songs.
People often compare them to Deftones or Radiohead, and sure, those influences are there. But there’s a specific British grit to Loathe that sets them apart. It’s gray. It’s rainy. It feels like Liverpool in the winter. That atmospheric weight is exactly why people are willing to pay triple the price for the I Let It In and It Took Everything vinyl.
The Struggle of the Sharptone Webstore
Let’s talk about the logistics. Sharptone is a great label, but they seem to underestimate just how much people want this specific record. Every time a "restock" is announced, it’s gone in minutes.
The "Limited Edition" tag is both a blessing and a curse. It makes the record a collector's item, but it also invites scalpers. You'll see "Confirmed Order" listings on eBay before the band has even shipped the crates. It’s frustrating for the actual fans who just want to spin the record on a Friday night.
If you’re looking for a copy, you have to be tactical. Don't just check Amazon. Amazon is the last place that will have a niche metalcore repress. You need to be checking:
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- Rough Trade: They often get exclusive colorways or small batches of imports.
- Discogs: Set a notification for the specific album. Don’t just check the general page; look at the individual pressings.
- Local Record Stores: Honestly, I found my copy in a "New Arrivals" bin at a local shop for $35 because the owner didn't realize it was a "high-value" item.
- The Band’s Official Merch Store: They sometimes hold back a few boxes for tour or special anniversaries.
Technical Details You Should Know
The album is a double LP (2LP). This is important. At roughly 49 minutes, trying to cram this much bass and low-end onto a single disc would have sounded terrible. By spreading it across four sides, the grooves have more room. This prevents "inner groove distortion," which is that fuzzy, crappy sound you get on the last song of a side when a record is too crowded.
The 180g heavyweight vinyl is the standard for most of these pressings. It feels sturdy. It doesn't warp easily. If you find a "lightweight" bootleg, stay away. To my knowledge, there aren't many fakes floating around yet, but with the prices going up, it's only a matter of time.
Tracklist Highlights for Vinyl Listeners
The way the album is sequenced works perfectly for the 2LP format.
- Side A: Sets the mood. You get the intro and then the punch in the face that is "Aggressive Evolution."
- Side B: This is where things get weird and experimental.
- Side C: The "Heavy" side. If your speakers can't handle "Gored," you’re going to know pretty quickly.
- Side D: The emotional payoff. "Is It Really You?" into the title track.
That final transition is haunting. Hearing the feedback fade out on the final side is one of the best "record-ending" moments in modern metal.
How to Spot a Fair Price
Don't be the person who pays $300 for a standard black pressing. Please.
If you see the I Let It In and It Took Everything vinyl for under $60, buy it immediately. That’s essentially "retail plus shipping" in the current economy. If it’s between $70 and $100, you’re paying a "scarcity tax," which is annoying but sometimes necessary if you really want the album.
Anything over $150? You’re being fleeced unless it’s a super rare, hand-numbered /100 variant from the very first drop.
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Wait for the anniversaries. Loathe is aware of the demand. They usually do something for the "birthday" of the album. With the 5-year anniversary recently passing, more variants are inevitable. Labels love money, and they know this record is a guaranteed sell-out.
Taking Care of Your Copy
If you finally snag one, don't just toss it on a cheap suitcase player. The tracking force on those things can be brutal, and with a record this dense, you’ll lose all the detail.
Get some anti-static inner sleeves. The paper ones that come with the record are basically sandpaper. They leave "hairline" scratches that don't always affect play, but they look ugly. Considering how much you probably spent on this, an extra $5 for a MoFi sleeve is a no-brainer.
Store it vertically. Never stack your records. This album is a 2LP, so it's heavy. Stacking it will lead to "ring wear" on the cover art, and that beautiful blurry figure will eventually have a permanent circle rubbed into its face.
Final Steps for the Hunter
If you’re serious about finding this record, here is your roadmap. No fluff, just what actually works in the current vinyl market.
- Follow Sharptone on Twitter/X and Instagram. Turn on post notifications. They don't give a lot of warning before drops.
- Join the Loathe Discord or Subreddit. Fans usually post "In Stock" alerts the second a random warehouse in Germany finds a box of 50 copies.
- Check "International" listings on Discogs. Sometimes shipping from the UK or Europe is cheaper than paying the "flipper" price from a US seller, even with the $25 shipping fee.
- Sign up for the "Back in Stock" email at Banquet Records. They are one of the best shops in the UK for keeping up with Loathe’s inventory.
- Don't panic buy. Prices fluctuate. If the market is at an all-time high, wait two months. Someone will eventually list a copy because they need rent money, and you can swoop in.
The music on I Let It In and It Took Everything is about loss, obsession, and transformation. It’s a bit ironic that the physical record has become an object of such intense obsession, but here we are. It’s a landmark album. It deserves a spot on your shelf. Just be patient, keep your eyes peeled, and don't feed the scalpers if you can help it.