Release date: September 25, 2026
Vinyl lovers of the world can be united in enjoying legendary Celtic progressive rock band Iona’s first five iconic studio albums which are finally available on vinyl for the first time! These albums are:
Iona (1990)
The Book of Kells (1992)
Beyond These Shores (1993)
Journey into the Morn (1996)
Open Sky (2000)
Each double album is specially mastered for vinyl, pressed on 180 gram, heavyweight vinyl, with stunning newly designed artwork and bonus tracks not included on the original CD releases. All of this brings these astonishing albums to life and gives the listener a wonderful, immersive experience. These special vinyl releases are currently available for pre-order, and will be released on Open Sky Records on September 25, 2026.
Each album is available individually in both black and coloured vinyl versions, as well as in a limited-edition 10-disc box set in black vinyl.
If that wasn't enough, each box set includes a 72-page hardback book, ‘The Studio Files’, a visual time capsule collated by Iona co-founder Dave Bainbridge and beautifully laid out by designer Mike Inns. Featuring photos of recently rediscovered handwritten lyrics, studio track sheets, letters and notes from the time of each album, this book uniquely gives you insights into what the band were thinking and intending with each release.
Also in the box is a numbered certificate hand-signed by Dave Bainbridge.
Quote from Iona co-founder Dave Bainbridge:
“I grew up in the era when vinyl was the default medium to listen to new music on. Taking a new vinyl album out of its sleeve and carefully placing it on the turntable and the needle onto the edge of the album was like a sacred act. Many years before the internet gave us previews of new music, this was usually the very first time that the latest opus from a favourite artist would be heard. The large 12” sleeve format was an accompanying bit of art that I’d stare at whilst listening to the music, absorbing every detail written on the cover about who was playing, what instruments were being used and what the meaning behind the lyrics I was reading could be. By the time Iona the band came into being, CDs had already begun to replace vinyl, and although Iona’s debut album was pressed onto vinyl, most sales were of CD’s and cassette tapes. The vinyl version was more of an afterthought by this time, a respectful nod to a bygone era. Not only did it not include all the tracks, due to the limited space on the medium, the cover was very basic and uninspiring.
Now, a full 36 years since that debut release, Iona has long ceased being a touring and recording band, but amazingly vinyl is once again in fashion as a medium to listen to music on. When I’m on tour with The Colin Blunstone Band we regularly have ‘Record Club’ evenings, where we spend time listening to rare, classic, obscure, old and new albums on vinyl. I love these times as it feels like this setting aside of time to absorb music in this way once again exalts the act of listening to something beyond the everyday.
When Rob at Gonzo Multimedia first mooted the idea of releasing the Iona albums on vinyl, I was immediately excited about the possibilities. Unlike the original vinyl version of the first Iona album, this time we had the opportunity to do it properly. Gatefold sleeves to have a bigger canvas for new, immersive artwork, to match the often vast landscapes conjured by the music; double albums so that not only would all the tracks be present, but that there would be room for some additional bonus tracks. All the albums would be remastered specifically for vinyl by our long time sonic collaborator Nigel Palmer, including some tracks directly from the original master tapes. We’d use the best quality 180 gram vinyl for optimum sound quality and we’d include a signed, numbered certificate in each.
This would have been enough, but the recent rediscovery in my storage unit of the original folders for each of the first five Iona studio albums enabled us to create something truly special. The folders contain Joanne’s original handwritten lyrics, all of the studio track sheets for each song from the albums, letters and notes from the time of each recording, it was a treasure trove, a visual time capsule. This gave us the idea to also include a 72 page hardback book, titled ‘The Studio Files’ which uniquely gives insights into what the band were thinking and intending with each release, by the inclusion of photos of as many of these historical documents as we could fit into the book.
It took a long time to put all of this together, but now, finally, here are the first five, classic Iona albums on vinyl. I hope you will take the time to listen, getting lost in the notes and illustrations on the sleeves and in the book, taking in the music as though you’re hearing for the first time.”
Quote from Iona co-founder David Fitzgerald:
“Iona was formed in 1989, following an impromptu first visit to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. For about three years I had been recording and touring extensively with Adrian Snell on projects such as 'Alpha + Omega', 'Song Of An Exile' and City Of Peace'. It was during the recording of the first project 'A+O' that I first met Dave Bainbridge. Those who attended concerts during those years will have witnessed and experienced the powerful sound of Adrian's vocal delivery & musicianship combined with the immense sound of Dave's keyboards & my assortment of woodwind & reed instruments.
Following what I can only describe as a powerful encounter, feeling for the first time something of that 'thin place' between heaven & earth during those 2/3 days sojourning on Holy Island, I shared this experience with Dave Bainbridge upon arrival for a huge concert of 'Alpha + Omega' in Glasgow. Both of us knew that we had to look more closely at the Celtic Roots of the Christian faith (it's saints, literature & artwork - such as the 'Lindisfarne Gospels' and the 'Book Of Kells').
Soon afterwards, we were offered space in a friend's cottage in Suffolk, where we began to explore musical ideas and delve into the rich tapestry of history and spirituality that was new to us and so enriching. Not long after that, Dave & I journeyed to the Island of Iona - to learn more of the life of Saint Columba and of the 'birthplace of Christianity' in Scotland (in approximately 563 AD).
Special friends, such as Joanne Hogg, Terl Bryant, Nick Beggs & Troy Donockley became central to the vision, music & legacy of Iona). So much more could be shared of these exciting and life-changing early days of the band Iona.
Thanks to the commitment and vision of Dave Bainbridge & Gonzo Multimedia here is a most beautiful and truly exciting new Vinyl Box Set for you to explore - as well as Individual editions of those early, formative years. Thank you Rob Ayling (formerly MD of Voiceprint Records & now Director of Gonzo Multimedia) for this wonderful new edition of these special projects, of the band Iona. Thank you Dave Bainbridge for your heart and commitment over the years, along with producing some of the most phenomenal music on planet earth these last decades. Thank you especially for your friendship in the journey.”
To pre-order: https://www.musicglue.com/iona/
Official website: https://www.iona.uk.com/
Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com
