Vinyl pressings
by Anthrax · 1984
Fistful Of Metal was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
MRI-469-A STERLING A-EX ↔A runout, variant 1
MRI-469-B STERLING A-3 ↔B runout, variant 1
MRI-469-A STERLING A-2 ↔A runout, variant 2
MRI-469-B STERLING A-1 ↔B runout, variant 2
MRI·469·A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢ EmwSide A runout, etched
MRI·469·B EmwSide B runout, etched
MRI 469 A Mastering By Frankford/Wayne New YorkSIDE A
MRI 469 BSIDE B
MRI 469 A F/W ¢SIDE A
MFN 14 A1 MPOSide A
MFN 14 B1 MPOSide B
PORKY MPO MFN 14 A1Runout side A, hand-etched
MPO MFN 14 B1Runout side B, hand-etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Banzai Records BRC 1902First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Banzai Records BRC 1902First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Bernett Records SB 18019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14 PFirst yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Megaforce Records 9217First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1984 | US | Megaforce Records MRI 469First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Megaforce Records MRI 469LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1984 | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Megaforce Records, Inc. 201-679-1179First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Megaforce Records MRI 469First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Megaforce Records MRI 469First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Roadrunner Records RR 9873First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Megaforce Records 020286233763LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | US | Megaforce Records 020286233763LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | US | Megaforce Records 020286233763LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | US | Megaforce Records 020286233763LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2021 | USA & Europe | Megaforce Records 020286233763 / Megaforce Records 020286234999LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | US | Megaforce Records 020286233763LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Megaforce Records 020286233763LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Megaforce Records 020286233763LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14 PLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| ? | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo |
| ? | UK | Music For Nations MFN 14LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
35 vinyl pressings of Fistful Of Metal are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1984 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is Megaforce Records MRI 469, released January 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MRI 469, MFN 14, 201-679-1179, MFN 14 P) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MRI-469-A STERLING A-EX ↔ and MRI-469-B STERLING A-3 ↔. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
