Metal Gear: Eindhoven's Bullit Metalzone hits the target

October 30, 3:45 PMAustin Metal Music ExaminerJeff Tandy

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Bullit-Metalzone is like a sporting goods store for metal

Eindhoven is a name synonymous with heavy metal in The Netherlands; the world-famous Dynamo Festival was born in this town, and it is a staging area for many bands living and performing in the region. Bullit-Metalzone record shop was integral to the burgeoning metal explosion of the mid-80s, both for local fans and visiting hessians who were desperate to get the latest and greatest underground releases. Luminaries like Sodom's Tom Angelripper and Kreator's Mille Petrozza used to travel from Germany to buy from Bullit, so it's fair to say this store had an important function in those wild and uncharted times.

Things are different now, and Bullit isn't located in the center of Eindhoven anymore. Not even European record stores can easily face down the internet and maintain a large profit margin. Fortunately, the shop's tradition of carrying the latest and greatest remains. Bullit's current location is in a quiet neighborhood away from the bustle of downtown, and they share space with a nicely appointed guitar store called We-Music. There's a coolness factor in being able to buy a new album and a new guitar or amp at the same store, but Bullit readily stands on its own in terms of great selection.

A fine sampling of thrash, black, death, and traditional heavy metal are present, and the store does a admirable job of stocking brand new releases along with virtually all the best releases from every band of note. There's also a fair amount of new and used vinyl to be had, though the CD stock is really the main attraction. There are multiple listening stations for previewing purchases and prices are good, at least by European standards where CDs in general are more expensive. For foreign visitors there's a certain novelty in buying European metal albums so close to the source, and Bullit does carry a number of releases that aren't as easy to get stateside.

If anything, Bullit is an excellent browsing experience and an opportunity to get away from the endless shoe stores and kebab stands of Eindhoven Centrum. Make the trip across town if you really want to get your hands dirty at a famous and specialized old-guard metal store.