US
1986- Label and catalog number
- Combat 88561-8114-1
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
88561-8114-1-A G-1 ƐMW MASTERED BY CAPITOL ℇ_side A
88561-8114-1-B G-1 ƐMW MASTERED BY CAPITOL ℇ_side B
Vinyl pressings
Darkness Descends
by Dark Angel · 1986
27 pressings7 countriesThrashRock
Darkness Descends was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Darkness Descends
4 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 4 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.
UK
November 1986- Label and catalog number
- Under One Flag FLAG 6
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
FLAG-6 A 1Side A - variant 1
FLAG-6-B-1Side B - variant 1
FLAG-6-A-1 () ⋀Side A runout, etched; "() ⋀", stamped - variant 2
FLAG-6-B-1 ⋀Side B runout, etched; "⋀", stamped - variant 2
Canada
1986- Label and catalog number
- Cobra CL 1020
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
CL 1020 - ASide A
CL 1020 - BSide B
France
1986- Label and catalog number
- N.E.W Musidisc 2356Under One Flag 2356
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
2356 A MPOSide A, hand-etched
2356 B MPOSide B, hand-etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 27 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | Cobra CL 1020First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | N.E.W Musidisc 2356 / Under One Flag 2356First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Under One Flag FLAG 6LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | US | Combat 88561-8114-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Combat 88561-8114-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | UK | Under One Flag FLAG 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Enigma EG007LP, Album | LP, Album |
2000s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Germany | Century Media 66049-1LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 2008 | UK | Back On Black BOBV060LPLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2008 | UK | Back On Black BOBV060LPLP, Album, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Repress · Colored vinyl |
2010s16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2014 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2016 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2016 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2016 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | Germany | High Roller Records HRR 347LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2019 | US | Century Media 19075990121 / Combat 19075990121LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | US | Century Media 19075991471 / Combat 19075991471LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Century Media 19075991461 / Combat 19075991461LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Italy | Combat / Sony MusicLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Darkness Descends
- A2The Burning Of Sodom
- A3Hunger Of The Undead
- A4Merciless Death
- B1Death Is Certain (Life Is Not)
- B2Black Prophecies
- B3Perish In Flames
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Darkness Descends are there?
27 vinyl pressings of Darkness Descends are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1986 and 2023.
When was Darkness Descends first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Canada, France. One of them is Combat 88561-8114-1.
How do I tell if my copy of Darkness Descends is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 88561-8114-1, FLAG 6, CL 1020, 2356) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 88561-8114-1-A G-1 ƐMW MASTERED BY CAPITOL ℇ_ and 88561-8114-1-B G-1 ƐMW MASTERED BY CAPITOL ℇ_. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Darkness Descends on vinyl worth?
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.