Vinyl pressings
by Fates Warning · 1985
The Spectre Within was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 2 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.
MBR-1051-72088-1-A G-1 Ⓐ755 SLM △10693 C____ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A Runout Inner Ring
1- ZPAWKEY ZBIGNU S-15164Side A Runout Outer Ring
MBR-1051-72088-1-B G-1 Ⓐ773 SLM △10693-X C____ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B Runout Inner Ring
1- WHAT ARE WE DEALING WITH? S-15165Side B Runout Outer ring
RR 9737-A HC BRunout side A
RR 9737-B HC BRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Roadrunner Records RR 9737First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Metal Blade Records MBR 1051 / Enigma 72088-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Banzai Records BRC 1963LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-14430-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2012 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-14430-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2012 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-14430-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-25167-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-25167-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-25167-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-25167-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-25167-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | US | Metal Blade Records 3984-25167-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-25167-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
13 vinyl pressings of The Spectre Within are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1985 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Europe. One of them is Metal Blade Records MBR 1051.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MBR 1051, RR 9737) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MBR-1051-72088-1-A G-1 Ⓐ755 SLM △10693 C____ MASTERED BY CAPITOL and 1- ZPAWKEY ZBIGNU S-15164. 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.
