Vinyl pressings
by Helloween · 1987
Keeper Of The Seven Keys (Part I) was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 6 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.
6399.1.R.A - RCA 1 A 1 STERLINGSide A etched. variant 1
6399.1.R.A̷B - RCA 2 A 1 ̷A̷ 2̷ STERLINGSide B etched, variant 1
6399•1•R•A-RCA 1 I A1 G STERLINGSide A etched, variant 2
6399•1•R• ̷A̷B-RCA 2 I A1 G STERLING ̷A̷2̷Side B etched, variant 2
6399•1•R•A-ES1 STERLINGEtched, Side A
6399•1•R• ̷A̷B-ES1 STERLINGEtched, Side B
N-0057A
N-0057B
N 0057-A SNBRunout, side A, stamped & etched
N 0057-B SNBRunout, side B, stamped & etched
6399-1-R･ A' [stamped Cinram logo]Side A runout
6399-1-R･ B¹･ [stamped Cinram logo]Side B runout
6399-1-R-AOn Label Side A
6399-1-R-BOn Label Side B
6399-1-R ･ A1 [Cinram logo]Side A runout
6399-1-R ･ B1 ･ [Cinram logo]Side B runout
6399-1-R-ASide A label
6399-1-R-BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | RCA 6399-1-R / RCA Victor 6399-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | RCA 6399-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | RCA 6399-1-R / RCA Victor 6399-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | Noise International 130081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Noise International N 0057LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Germany | Noise International N 0057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Noise International N 0057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Noise International N 0057First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Noise International N 0057First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Mispress, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1987 | South Korea | Not On Label (Helloween) VIL-28076LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1987 | South Korea | Victor HM 17LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1987 | Spain | G.B.B.S. Records R-1-002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | G.B.B.S. Records R-1-002First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Japan | Victor VIL-28076First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Victor VIL-28076First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Brazil | Rock Brigade Records RBR-540 / Noise International RBR-540LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Italy | Earmark EM209LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, All Media, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, All Media, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | BMG BMGRM062LP / Sanctuary BMGRM062LPLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2015 | Europe | BMG BMGRM062LP / Sanctuary BMGRM062LPLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | Europe | BMG BMGRM062LP / Sanctuary BMGRM062LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | BMG BMG15077V / Sanctuary BMG15077VLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Sanctuary BMGRM069LP / Sanctuary BMGRM062LPLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2020 | Europe | BMG BMGRM062LP / BMG BMGRM069LPLP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 2023 | Italy | Sanctuary / BMGLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Germany | BMG NOISE115CLP / Sanctuary NOISE115CLPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Noise International N 0057LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Noise International N 0057LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | G.B.B.S. Records R-1002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
41 vinyl pressings of Keeper Of The Seven Keys (Part I) are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Japan, Germany, Canada and more. One of them is Noise International 6399-1-R, released May 23, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6399-1-R, VIL-28076, N 0057, 130081) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6399.1.R.A - RCA 1 A 1 STERLING and 6399.1.R.A̷B - RCA 2 A 1 ̷A̷ 2̷ STERLING. 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.
