Vinyl pressings
by Iron Butterfly · 1970
Metamorphosis was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 13 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.
ST-C-701971-1D CPSide A runout, variant 1
ST-C-701972-1E CPSide B runout, variant 1
ST-C-701971-1E CP 5CSide A runout, variant 2
ST-C-701972-1E CP B3Side B runout, variant 2
ST C701971-1A CTH TSide A runout, variant 1
ST C701972-1A CTH TSide B runout, variant 1
ST C701971-1C CTH T ASide A runout, variant 2
ST C701972-1A CTH T ASide B runout, variant 2
ST-C-701971-A DS LW X ATSide 1, etched; "LW" etched-script
ST-C-701972-A LW X ATSide 2, etched, "LW" etched-script
ST-C-701971-A DS LW X AT ƧSide 1 (var. 2), etched; "Ƨ" stamped, "LW" etched-script
ST-C-701972-C w LW AT (Ƨ)Side 2 (var. 2), etched; "w" and "(Ƨ)" stamped
AT ST-C-701971-A DS Lw XA Side runout etch variant
AT ST-C-701972-A Lw XB Side runout etch variant
ST-C-701971 - C LW W ATA Side variant 2
ST-C-701972 - C W LW ATB Side variant 2
ST-C-701971-AA MO T (MR) DS LW △15056 X △15056 ATSide A runout, Variant 1
ST-C-701972-AA T (MR) LW X △15056-X ATSide B runout, Variant 1
ST-C-701971-CC MO LW (MR) W △15056 ATSide A runout, Variant 2
ST-C-701972-AA (MR) LW X △15056-X CA ATSide B runout, Variant 2
ST-C-701971 1 SSide One
ST-C-701972 1 SSide Two
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Atlantic SAL-933959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | ATCO Records 503 054 / ATCO Records ATCO 503 054First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | ATCO Records 503.054First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Germany | ATCO Records SD 33-339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Greece | Atlantic 2330035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Israel | ATCO Records SD 42035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Atlantic MT 2042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Mexico | Atlantic 2330 035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Peru | Atlantic SD 2330 035First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9279First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Spain | Atlantic HATS 421-55First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Taiwan | 先鋒 PRC-5065LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1970 | Turkey | Atlantic SD 33-339 / Atlantic SD 33 339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 004 / Atlantic 50 004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 004 / Atlantic 50 004LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Atlantic SD 33-339LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-339LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 004 / Atlantic 50 004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 2330035LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 50 004LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Atlantic ATS ST 06082LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | New Zealand | Atlantic SFLZ-938LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 33-339LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Atlantic 2043LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
57 vinyl pressings of Metamorphosis are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1970 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is ATCO Records SD 33-339.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 33-339, ST-C-701 971, SAL-933959, 503 054) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-C-701971-1D CP and ST-C-701972-1E CP. 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.
