For the first time ever, Rhino is expanding a Van Halen studio album.

On July 12, the label will release a 2CD/2LP/Blu-ray edition of For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, the group's ninth album and penultimate with lead singer Sammy Hagar, who'd taken over from David Lee Roth in 1985. As a major upstart rock act of the late '70s and one of the biggest of the '80s, Van Halen had something to prove on their first disc of the '90s - and this set delivers some intriguing bonus material from the era. Paired with the original album (recently remastered by Donn Landee for the Hagar-era The Collection II box) is a bonus disc featuring the rare single mix of "Right Now," an unreleased alternate mix of the same track, an unissued instrumental of "The Dream is Over" and a 10-track live set recorded in Dallas, Texas at the end of 1991. Footage of that set is also featured on an accompanying Blu-ray Disc, which also features four music videos. The remastered album is also included on vinyl for the set, pressed across three sides with an etching on the fourth.

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (the title abbreviates to a censor-pushing four-letter word) was billed as a return to hard rock after the late guitarist Eddie Van Halen, an accomplished keyboardist, spent much of the last decade incorporating synthesizers into the group's sound. (Keyboards wouldn't totally escape the band, though.) The harder-edged sound, kicked off with the power drill-aided intro to opener "Poundcake," was shepherded by co-producer Andy Johns and a returning Ted Templeman, who'd worked with Van Halen on all their Roth-era albums (as well as the 1973 debut by Hagar's old band Montrose and his 1984 solo album VOA). "Poundcake," "Runaround" and "Top of the World" all topped Billboard's mainstream rock chart, with the latter crossing over into the Top 40 of the Hot 100.

Although the album's fifth single "Right Now" missed the Top 40 and only hit No. 2 on the mainstream rock survey, it might be the most memorable cut from the album, thanks in part to a dexterous piano intro and a quirky video featuring socially-conscious facts and messages projected in block text over footage of the band. The video took home three MTV Video Music Awards including Video of the Year, and both the song and video concept were infamously repurposed in a splashy ad campaign for failed clear soda brand Crystal Pepsi. (Raise your hand if you remember Saturday Night Live's "Crystal Gravy" ad!)

The live concert audio and video predates the group's first concert release Live: Right Here Right Now (itself recently expanded for Record Store Day) and represents a promise the group fulfilled to Texan fans after Hagar's voice gave out during their last performance in the area in 1988, offering a free concert their next time in the area.

The expanded For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge hits stores July 12. A Rhino.com-exclusive bundle includes four 7" singles including all the studio bonus material and more. Pre-order the set below. (As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.)

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (Expanded Edition) (Warner/Rhino, 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Rhino.com (bundle with 7" singles)

CD 1/LP 1-2: Original album remastered (released as Warner Bros. 26594, 1991)

1. Poundcake
2. Judgment Day
3. Spanked
4. Runaround
5. Pleasure Dome
6. In 'N' Out
7. Man on a Mission
8. The Dream is Over
9. Right Now
10. 316
11. Top of the World

CD 2: Rarities & Live (previously unreleased except where noted)

1. Right Now (Organ Version - Single Mix)
2. The Dream is Over (Instrumental)
3. Right Now (Guitar Version - Single Mix)
4. Poundcake
5. Judgment Day
6. There's Only One Way to Rock
7. Runaround
8. Why Can't This Be Love
9. Panama
10. A Apolitical Blues
11. Finish What Ya Started
12. I Can't Drive 55
13. Best of Both Worlds
14. Top of the World

Track 1 released as Warner Bros. promo CD single PRO-5150, 1991. Tracks 4-14 recorded live at Westend Market, Dallas, TX - 12/14/1991

Blu-ray

• Live at Westend Market, Dallas, TX - 12/14/1991 (same as Tracks 4-14)
• Poundcake (promo video)
• Runaround (promo video)
• Right Now (promo video)
• Top of the World (promo video)

7" Singles

• Poundcake b/w Pleasure Dome
• Top of the World b/w In 'N' Out
• Right Now (Organ Version - Single Mix) b/w Man on a Mission
• Right Now (Guitar Version) b/w The Dream is Over (Instrumental)