Brisbane’s leading specialist metal music store, Blackened Records, will be closing its doors indefinitely next Saturday (11 April). Owner Simon Denis confirmed the sad news in a statement on social media today.
Located in the heart of Woolloongabba, Blackened Records was opened by Simon Denis in July 2023. He opened the store after experiencing a “mid-life crisis” and leaving his previous job as a high school teacher. The shop quickly developed a reputation for supporting the Brisbane metal scene and selling records by artists from across the globe.
Blackened Records was nominated as one of Queensland’s top record stores for The Music’s search for Australia’s Best Record Store last year.
In a statement posted on social media, Denis said that the decision to close the store “was not made easily, but economic realities have left me with no choice.”
Denis shared gratitude for the support shown to Blackened Records, including from the regular customers who frequently visited the store, “and helped me live this dream.” He added, “These are the people who have allowed me to keep the store running for as long as it has.”
Denis confirmed that Blackened Records won’t continue as an online-only store, but he does plan on continuing to support Brisbane’s metal scene by hosting “List of Seven events twice a year.” He also hopes to go on by putting on a “pop-up store twice monthly,” starting in July.
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Denis advised customers who have unused gift certificates to use them while they can. In addition to hoping to sell all the leftover records in stock, Denis is selling the artwork and furniture inside the store.
“Thank you for sharing this journey with me,” he concluded. “Hopefully, in years to come, people will speak fondly of the little metal record store in Woolloongabba. For now, I only say that I hope to see you all before the black door closes forever on this chapter of my life.”
Last year, Denis discussed his journey with Blackened Records, telling The Music that the best part about running a record store was “being a part of the local metal community.”
Detailing the drawbacks of owning a record store, he admitted that “the impact that economic factors have on sales,” including the cost-of-living crisis, didn’t make it easier on his bottom line.
