It’s official: Van Halen’s final studio album, A Different Kind of Truth, is finally coming back into print!
Rhino will re-release the album on October 23, 2026, on CD and as a 2LP set pressed on 180-gram black vinyl. The vinyl edition comes in a double gatefold package, with new lacquers cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering.
A limited-edition clear vinyl pressing will also be available exclusively through participating independent record stores.
Both the CD and black vinyl editions are available for pre-order now at Van Halen Store, and each comes with a free Van Halen sticker exclusive to Van Halen Store.
Released February 7, 2012, A Different Kind of Truth marked the long-awaited studio reunion of David Lee Roth with Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen, along with Wolfgang Van Halen on bass. It was Van Halen’s first full album with Roth since 1984 — and, as it turned out, the band’s twelfth and final studio album.
Seven of the album’s 13 tracks were reworked and rewritten versions of songs Van Halen had originally demoed in the late ’70s and early ’80s but never officially released. The album included “Tattoo,” “She’s The Woman,” “Blood And Fire,” “Stay Frosty,” “Outta Space,” “Big River” and “Beats Workin’,” among others.
A Different Kind of Truth debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, hit #1 on Billboard’s Rock Albums chart and was certified Gold.
The album received plenty of praise, as well:
• #1 Rock Album on Billboard
• Named the #1 Album of 2012 by Ultimate Classic Rock
• Named Best Comeback Album by That Metal Show
• “Stay Frosty” named one of the year’s best songs by Rolling Stone
• “Outta Space” named the #1 Song of 2012 by Ultimate Classic Rock
• Named the #1 Album of 2012 by Guitar World staff
• Van Halen won Comeback of the Year, Best Rock Guitarist and Most Valuable Player in Guitar World’s 2012 Readers’ Poll
For vinyl fans, there’s another interesting detail about the new pressing: Chris Bellman cut new lacquers for the release at Bernie Grundman Mastering.
There’s some history there. Bernie Grundman mastered the original A Different Kind of Truth album in 2012, and VHND spoke with him that year for an in-depth look at the album’s mastering. You can read that interview here:
VHND also spoke with recording and mixing engineer Ross Hogarth about the making of A Different Kind of Truth. Hogarth discussed finishing the album at Bernie Grundman Mastering and explained the band’s history with both Grundman and Bellman. Read that interview here.
Pre-Order Now from Van Halen Store, and you’ll receive the bonus sticker with each unit:
Both are scheduled for release October 23, 2026. Van Halen Store will ship pre-orders by the release date.
