, Vinyl Record Daycelebrated in Brazil on April 20th, marks one of the most symbolic dates for collectors. The celebration honors the musician Ataulfo Alves, who died on April 20, 1968. Ten years later, in 1978, in Rio de Janeiro, nostalgic record collectors decided to dedicate this date to celebrate their passion for LPs.
Over the years, the date has gained new significance with the resurgence of vinyl in the global market. After a period of decline with the rise of CDs and streaming, the format has grown again, driven by audiophiles, collectors, and new generations seeking a more authentic experience.
The return of records is not just nostalgic, but also driven by marketing. Major record labels and independent labels have started re-releasing classic albums and investing in special editions, often limited and with high added value, such as the Brazilian labels Noize Records, Três Selos and Polysom.
Investing in vinyl records: a hobby that requires planning
Data from Discogs indicates that the record market continues to expand, with annual growth in sales and a continuous increase in the movement of physical media, with a 6.2% growth in vinyl sales compared to the previous year. In Brazil, according to the Brazilian Music Market report (2025), produced by the Brazilian Association of the Phonographic Industry (ABPD) – Pró-Música, the vinyl sales segment grew by 31.5%, reaching its highest level since 2017.
Despite increased sales, the price of a record can be an obstacle, costing on average between R$150.00 and R$350.00. But even so, collectors invest, as is the case with Carlos Ferracin, an economist and collector since 1983. “The price is an obstacle, even more so in a country that doesn't value culture like Brazil. I always try to have the physical format, whether vinyl or CD, and I consider streaming an accessory. And there's another detail: when a heavy metal and rock fan in general acquires the physical format, they know that item will be enjoyed for a long time, something that doesn't happen with fans of 'popular' music,” stated Carlos.
For Heloísa Meleras, a collector, the motivation lies more in the personal connection with music than in evaluating cost-benefit: “It’s worth valuing our hobbies, valuing ourselves. When I invest in this format, it’s an investment in the collection, in something I like, something I started collecting for myself. It’s something of mine, it’s investing in myself, and that’s very worthwhile.”
Even with the high prices, record collecting is seen as a hobby that requires planning and financial organization. Consumers seek alternatives such as thrifting, installment purchases, and independent stores to make acquisitions possible, like anthropologist and collector Patrícia Araújo:
"Today, records are quite expensive, but I don't have a very clear memory of how to compare them to other times. In any case, I see it as a hobby I chose to have, so I organize myself around it within my schedule. I don't know if I think so much about whether it's worth it or not; it's more something I want and that makes sense to me. I also think that the more this movement of returning to vinyl grows, the more access there will be, more stores, more reissues, and this can help make records more accessible in the future.".
Vinyl records in the world of rock and heavy metal
In the world of rock and heavy metal, the fascination with vinyl goes beyond the music itself, being one of the styles that most symbolizes and maintains this physical format. For fans of the genre, iconic covers, detailed liner notes, and analog sound are part of the scene.
“Sight is the first sense learned at birth; if something doesn't please your eyes, you automatically recognize and reject it. Without iconic album covers, heavy metal would never be where it is today, in this place of symbolism and culture, which is why I believe in the importance of the album cover for a heavy metal record,” said collector and seller Filipe Moriarty.
Listening to an LP involves an almost sacred ritual: removing the record from its sleeve, carefully placing it on the record player, and attentively following each track. “What motivates me, and has always motivated me, is the feeling of holding history in my hands. A record, especially if it's from the time the title was originally released, has historical value. It's like being transported back in time. In this digital age, resorting to vintage physical material is resistance, and for us, heavy metal is resistance!” stated Filipe.
The relationship between heavy metal and vinyl records goes beyond the physical format and is embedded in the genre's cultural landscape. Since its origins, metal has built an identity strongly linked to the album as a complete work, valuing not only the music but also the visual aesthetic and artistic concept.
“Since music style is linked to a lifestyle, 'worshipping' vinyl in its details as a physical piece, and in its formation and development, tells an important story for fans and is materialized and immortalized in each record. I buy records not thinking about collecting them, but about having the records that I really like. Whether it's a classic or a new release that I enjoy, I end up buying the record when the opportunity arises,” stated Maurício Boka, collector and drummer for APNEA and Ratos de Porão.
In this context, vinyl has become a symbol of this experience. Even with technological advancements, the format remains present in the scene as an element of resistance and authenticity, both for collectors and for new bands in the scene that release their albums in this format. “I like the story behind the record. Studio, production, artwork, photos, all of that is part of the journey of appreciating an album, whether it's older or newer. Suddenly, an older record brings a greater romanticism and mystique, but I 'get lost' in both. The record is part of the culture and style of music. It's important for new bands to continue telling their stories and recording historical moments through their records,” said Boka.
For Carlos Ferracin, it's something sentimental and part of other musical styles: “I think it has more to do with how I grew up listening to music than being a 'ritual'. Of course, listening to an album by a band I like, following the lyrics and seeing the details of the visual aspect, is different… I remember when I first picked up Somewhere in Time , I spent some time looking at the details of the cover with a magnifying glass. This isn't just part of 'heavy metal culture', but of anyone who loves music in general. For example, if I search for Mayhem on any sales website besides the black metal band's latest album also appears Lady Gaga – and there are several versions. So, you can deduce that there are loyal consumers of that musical style.”
The culture of records passed down through generations
Vinyl records have spanned generations and, even after their heyday in past decades, continue to win over new audiences. Among young heavy metal fans, many who didn't experience the format's golden age have been seeking out classic LP albums as a way to connect with the genre's history, like journalist Vitor Melo, just 25 years old, but an avid record collector.
“The experience of placing the needle at the beginning of the record and hearing that initial hiss is something magical. Since I was little, I've always enjoyed flipping through liner notes, books, and magazines. I think there's nothing better than putting something on and following along with the music, reading the lyrics and even the acknowledgments that musicians include in their work. I always imagine what it was like in the old days. Records were released, and people had to go to a store to buy them and also have the player,” he said.
More than just a collectible item, vinyl represents an experience. Owning an album to play remains an essential element of metal culture, now reinterpreted by a new generation. Although many young people see vinyl as something more retro and acquire it for fashion or aesthetic reasons, there are those who own records for the sound quality and connection to the scene. “As a metal and hard rock fan, I feel that holding the record in my hand, feeling the vibe, is part of it. It's also part of the emotional attachment. I started liking vinyl because my father had a KISS. So, I started liking rock and records because of him,” commented Heloísa Meleras.
Collector and influencer Jéssica Valentín didn't experience the heyday of physical records, but she built her collection and currently talks about them. For her, it's not just a fad: “I see it more as a connection with myself and with art in general. The sound quality isn't the best available, and I don't look favorably on those who see it only as an aesthetic choice; it makes the habit fleeting and ends up being more expensive.”
But it's also a way to support artists. "It's a way to continue supporting my favorite artists in their careers, since today most of their income comes from tours/merchandise, with the growth of streaming. Supporting physical media is keeping the music alive," said Jéssica.
A lover of rock and heavy metal, he had his first contact with CDs, and financial independence is a key factor in building his collection: “I even got tapes, VHS tapes, LPs. It was right during the transition period to CDs and DVDs… Going back to vinyl brought me something new, because at the time I didn't have access to so many LPs, and today, with my own money, I can be part of something I've always wanted.”.
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