T. Rex (December 12, 2025) The Studio Albums 1970–1977 8LP Box Set
Demon Records announced T. Rex: The Studio Albums 1970–1977 as a vinyl box set celebrating the complete run of studio albums released by Marc Bolan under the T. Rex name.
Having previously recorded as Tyrannosaurus Rex throughout the second half of the 1960s, Marc Bolan entered the new decade with a transformed musical identity. Alongside a shortened band name, a revised line-up and a new electric sound, he launched a period of commercial and artistic success that made him one of Britain's defining rock stars of the 1970s.
The collection traces that journey from 1970's T. Rex through to 1977's Dandy In The Underworld, documenting a period marked by chart success, stylistic reinvention and constant creative evolution.
The set begins with T. Rex (1970), an album that followed the breakthrough success of "Ride A White Swan" and bridged the gap between the acoustic Tyrannosaurus Rex sound and Bolan's emerging electric style. It is followed by Electric Warrior (1971), featuring songs including "Life's A Gas", "Jeepster", "Get It On" and "Cosmic Dancer".
The Slider (1972) arrived during the height of T. Rex popularity and included UK number one singles "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru". Tanx (1973) continued the group's chart success while expanding the scale and intensity of Bolan's glam-rock vision.
Zinc Alloy (1974) introduced stronger R&B influences, gospel-inspired backing vocals and a more soul-oriented direction. Bolan's Zip Gun (1975) reflected a stripped-back approach that anticipated elements of the emerging punk movement.
Futuristic Dragon (1976) presented a mature collection of songs that included the hit single "New York City", while Dandy In The Underworld (1977), featuring singles such as "I Love To Boogie" and "Light Of Love", became the final studio album released before Bolan's passing
STYLE & THEMES
The albums included document the rapid musical development of Marc Bolan and T. Rex during the 1970s.
The collection begins with music that still carried elements of Tyrannosaurus Rex before progressing into the glam-rock breakthrough of Electric Warrior and The Slider. Later albums incorporate increasingly diverse influences including soul, R&B, gospel-inspired vocals and stripped-back rock approaches.
Across the eight records, the box set showcases Bolan's continued movement between glam rock, rock and roll, electric soul and proto-punk influenced material.
RELEASE HISTORY
The box set was released by Demon Records on December 12, 2025.
All eight albums are housed inside a cardboard outer box and are reproduced with their original sleeves and lyric inner bags.
Bolan's Zip Gun and Dandy In The Underworld feature restored die-cut sleeves.
Each album is pressed on exclusive half-black, half-coloured vinyl reflecting themes associated with the respective album.
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
8LP Box Set | DEMRECBOX97 | LP1: T. Rex ("Suneye" Orange/Black Vinyl) LP2: Electric Warrior ("Monolith" Gold/Black Vinyl) LP3: The Slider ("Mars" Red/Black Vinyl) LP4: Tanx ("Strange" Silver/Black Vinyl) LP5: Zinc Alloy ("Superbad" Blue/Black Vinyl) LP6: Bolan's Zip Gun ("Precious" Pink/Black Vinyl) LP7: Futuristic Dragon ("Dawn" Yellow/Black Vinyl) LP8: Dandy In The Underworld ("Moon" White/Black Vinyl) |
NOTES
All albums are housed within a cardboard outer box.
Original sleeves and lyric inner bags are reproduced throughout the set.
Bolan's Zip Gun and Dandy In The Underworld retain restored die-cut sleeve packaging.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders.
This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
Comments