UPDATE: January 29th 2026
LOS ANGELES, California — RLS Records is stoked to announce that the Jim Gillette “Proud To Be Loud” Vinyl remaster will ship next week, in early February 2026.
Gillette is best known for fronting the band NITRO who dropped their debut “O.F.R.” back in 1989 with his side-kick Michael Angelo-Batio.
But before NITRO, the pair teamed up in 1987 to record Gillette’s debut solo record “Proud To Be Loud”, which at the time was issued on Vinyl LP and Cassette.
Then in 2003, that same record was reissued for the first time ever on CD by RLS Records with all new graphics and some awesome legendary images of the two.
Now, nearly 40 years later, the Vinyl option has returned… bigger, better, brighter and more bad-ass than before.
This new platter has been remastered, repackaged, reissued, and it rips more than ever.
The sound has been brought to life with state of the art modern technology mastering and the images make you want to scream and shred!
This is a limited pressing, with 2 options, Black Lacquer and Translucent Green, with a 2 panel full color insert.
Order yours today in the Metal Sludge store, on eBay… at Big Cartel and coming soon to Amazon!
Ready, Set, Scream!
Stay tuned to Metal Sludge for Breaking News, Updates and Features along with both New Interviews and Classic 20 Questions.
“What a fun trip down memory lane. Can’t wait to crank it up and hear these songs on old school vinyl!“
— Jim Gillette
‘“I remember Jim and I listening to the finished mixes of the album and thinking to myself, this is amazing,“
— Michael Angelo Batio
LOS ANGELES, California — As the Vinyl record craze continues, never fear, Jim Gillette is here!
Just as the new year is set to kick off, RLS Records is thrilled to announce the remaster reissue of Jim Gillette‘s debut record “Proud To Be Loud” – only this time – it’s on Vinyl!
The 11 track platter has been remastered and sounds better than ever and the graphics jump off the page and just scream 1987… which oddly is the year the original pressing dropped courtesy of Jim Gillette’s Loud Crowd.
That original recording was released on both Vinyl and Cassette, but in extremely quantities.
Then in 2003, RLS Records issued the first ever version on CD with an all new set of images, updated graphics and 5 bonus tracks.
Now, just a year shy of its 40th Anniversary, RLS Records is happy to present “Proud To Be Loud” once again, only the new remaster reissue sounds and looks better than ever.
This time, you have 2 variants to choose from, either Black Lacquer or Transparent Green.
Also, all pre-orders will automatically receive a free bright green NITRO patch (seen below) for your battle vest, concert leather, or denim jacket.
RLS Records reached out to Gillette, and we were lucky enough to catch up with him while he’s building his latest beachfront luxury property CASTLE BAY MANOR.
Gillette says: “RLS Records did an amazing job on this! What a fun trip down memory lane. Can’t wait to crank it up and hear these songs on old school vinyl!”
We also caught up Michael Angelo Batio who played guitar on the Gillette debut and then helped co-found and launch the duo’s super-group NITRO.
Angelo says: “I remember Jim and I listening to the finished mixes of the album and thinking to myself, this is amazing, Jim is amazing and this record is going to stand the test of time!”
Take a sneak peak at the insert below… which contains some credits and one of the most iconic rock shots from the entire 80’s era with Gillette holding a partially shattered wine-glass, and Angelo Batio holding onto his quad-neck guitar.
To pre-order Jim Gillette “Proud To Be Loud” please visit the RLS Records store HERE.
Noting again here: There are 2 variants for the Vinyl… Black or Green… along with a few bundle options.
Remember, all pre-orders receive the free NITRO patch, so order yours today!
Read more stories on Jim Gillette and Nitro as found on Metal Sludge.
Stay tuned to Metal Sludge for Breaking News, Updates and Features along with both New Interviews and Classic 20 Questions.
