Zion's Gate Records

Doesn't Recommend

Eric M.

Joined 8 months ago

I bought two records that were warped and didn't work. I e-mailed them about it and they came up with excuses. No sense of responsibility whatsoever. This store is a scam. Don't go to it!!!!!!

Doesn't Recommend

The Mad Hater

Joined 2 years ago

Good for neophytes, boring for the initiated. If you don't know too much about reggae, Zion's Gate is not a horrible place to start. Reggae treasures are difficult to come by in Seattle and it is no surprise that you will not find any bargains at this specialty shop. In fact, most of the stock featured can be found for much cheaper online. This would not be a glaring problem if the store attempted to provide some hard to find original presses for reggae DJs and collectors. Alas, the selection of original 7"s, 10"s, and discos is very limited and almost exclusively bad dancehall from the 90s and beyond. Another qualm I have is the lack of much pre-1970 Jamaican music in the shop. Rocksteady and early Studio 1 are my favorite jams and they are severely underrepresented here.

Regarding the store itself, the layout is functional and it is always great to have tables to demo the records. The clerk seemed friendly enough.

I would love to have a shop around town that regularly provides a fresh batch of OG reggae 45s and LPs to rifle through, but as of now Seattle is still lacking.

Recommends

blarglebob

Joined 5 years ago

Best metal selection in Seattle that I've seen thus far. Excellent source of metal vinyls and CDs from underground metal labels, centering mainly around black metal. Also astounding are the many rarer, out of print editions of some albums I've seen around (Institute of Art Records' edition of Watchtower's Energetic Disassembly, 2002 EMG pressing of Athiest's Piece of Time, original jewel case versions of Burzum's albums, etc.). I don't own a turntable yet, but this is the first place I'd stop to stockpile on some of their excellent vinyl selection. They also sell a decent variety of t-shirts, pins, and patches if you're into those, as well. They also have a significant reggae/dub/electro selection but as I'm not as into those genres I can't comment much further there. Friendly staff too. The only bad things I could say about the place are that none of the albums come in their original shrink wrap (they leave the cases with inserts and booklets on display and keep the CDs in a backroom for you when you go to purchase), and it seems they mix the new CDs with their used ones (I've went against a few CDs I've found because some of the discs didn't look in the best condition). Also, not very good parking, which goes without saying in downtown Seattle. Despite these faults though, if you're into metal, and, I suppose, reggae too, then this place is well worth stopping by.

And in case you happened to notice, their main website is no more. You can now find their latest updates at their Kreation Records website (but as far as I can tell, the main store is still called Zion's Gate).

Recommends

bodytonic

Joined 6 years ago

Best Reggae, Metal and Drum 'N Bass. (seattle WA). I agree, this place has a nice vibe: Friendly people and really the only Reggae selection in these parts. Jive Time Records is also known to put out crucial selections of roots reggae and dub as well. Zions Gate also stocks alot of metal, drum n bass, hiphop and rock sections even. I love the wall of picture disc metal LP's. Mostly reissue stock but I'm into collecting for the music anyways! Lots of rare and obscure stuff you cannot find at other shops.

Traceblends

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

A staple for local DJs, this vinyl shop is a music-hipster must.. The Scene
One-drop rhythms through an outside sound system are the first indication that you've come to Seattle's spot for reggae music. A dread is usually working the counter, turntables are scattered throughout, and DJs on the prowl for vinyl filter in and out of the store. The increasing emphasis on club music--especially hard-to-find drum 'n' bass, house, dancehall and brokenbeat--doesn't make Zion's Gate perfect for the average consumer, but everyone is definitely welcome.

Recommends

masondw

Joined 7 years ago

best spot in town for reggae and dancehall. I like the vibe at Zion's Gate: one part Cap Hill hippy, one part militant revolutionary. Coming off the busy street, this store is small and can get crowded easily just due to the location and congestion near the door. They have more than just reggae; over the years I have pleased with some of the older joints I have found there and they carry a lot of extra merchandise as well. Everyone is really nice there and the pretensions DJs tend to keep their distance.