Vinyl pressings
by Fates Warning · 1986
Awaken The Guardian 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.
4 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 3 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.
1-1 △14793 ST-1-73231 G-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25853-G1 "SOODLESATCH"Run-out etching side a
△ 14793-X 1-1 ST-2-73231 G-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25854-G1 ABSOLUTE RULES!Run-out etching side b
73231-ALabel side a
73231-BLabel side b
ST-73231-1. 1A 2HDRun-out etching side a
ST-73231-2. 1A 2HDRun-out etching side b
RR 9660-A-Runout Side A
RR 9660-B HCBRunout Side B
RR 9660-ARunout A side
RR 9660-B HCBRunout B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | Enigma Canada ST-73231 / Metal Blade Records ST-73231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Metal Blade Records RR 9660 / Roadrunner Records RR9660First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Roadrunner Records RR 9660 / Roadrunner Records RR9660First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Enigma ST-73231 / Metal Blade Records ST-73231First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Enigma ST-73231LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | South Korea | Seoul Records SIPR-003 / Enigma ST-73231LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Enigma RR 9660 / Metal Blade Records RR9660LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | US | Enigma ST-73231 / Metal Blade Records ST-73231LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | US | Enigma ST-73231 / Metal Blade Records ST-73231LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-14533-1PDLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15132-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2012 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15132-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2012 | US | Metal Blade Records 3984-15132-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2012 | USA & Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15132-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2016 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-14046-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-14046-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-14046-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Italy | Metal Blade Records / DeAgostiniLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2026 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-14046-1 / Metal Blade Records 3984-14046-5LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-14046-1 / Metal Blade Records 3984-14046-9LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
20 vinyl pressings of Awaken The Guardian are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1986 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Canada, Europe. One of them is Enigma ST-73231.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-73231, RR 9660) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-1 △14793 ST-1-73231 G-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25853-G1 "SOODLESATCH" and △ 14793-X 1-1 ST-2-73231 G-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25854-G1 ABSOLUTE RULES!. 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.
