Zions Gate Records is an independent record store located at 1100 East Pike Street in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Seattle, Washington. Established in 1999 by Stephen Benbrook, the shop specialises in underground music, particularly heavy metal, punk, hardcore, reggae and electronic music. Benbrook originally operated a small mail-order business importing British dub records from his apartment before expanding into a physical record shop. A lifelong metal fan, he gradually incorporated more heavy music into the catalogue, developing a business with an unusual combination of metal and reggae specialities.

The shop carries a large collection of new and second-hand vinyl records, CDs and cassettes, including rare pressings, limited editions, singles and out-of-print releases. Its metal selection covers traditional heavy metal, thrash metal, death metal, black metal, doom metal and other underground genres. Punk and hardcore are also well represented, alongside reggae, dub, hip-hop, jazz and electronic music. The relatively small interior is densely packed with record bins, shelves and merchandise, with band T-shirts hanging above the records and album artwork displayed throughout the premises. Rather than having the appearance of a modern, carefully arranged record retailer, the shop retains a somewhat cluttered, old-fashioned atmosphere, with large quantities of music filling nearly every available space.

Zions Gate Records has maintained an extensive online business alongside its physical shop, selling rare and second-hand recordings to collectors internationally. Benbrook has also been involved in music production and distribution, releasing dub and ragga recordings under the Zion’s Gate name. The store has remained at its East Pike Street location for more than two decades, surviving a period in which numerous independent record shops in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighbourhood have closed or relocated.

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ADDRESS:
1100 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122, USA

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