Vinyl pressings
by Iron Maiden · 1992
Fear Of The Dark was first pressed on vinyl in 1992. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1992, the album's first year, in 15 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.
EMD 10321 A-01-1-1side A, runout, stamped
EMD 10321 B-01-1-2side B, runout, stamped, last digit etched
EMD 10322side B, runout, stamped, all letters/digits are crossed out
EMD 10322 A-01-1-1side C, runout, stamped
7991621-A1Side A, runout, variant 1
7991621-B1Side B, runout, variant 1
7991631-A1Side C, runout, variant 1
7991631-B1Side D, runout, variant 1
799162 1 01 P1992Side A runout
799162 2 01 P1992Side B runout
799163 1 01 P1992Side C runout
799163 2 01 P1992Side D runout
COL. 11001412 ASide A
COL. 11001412 BSide B
LP 2 203686 8 A 18 05 92 SB
LP 2 203686 8 B 18 05 92 SB
LP 2 203686 8 C 18 05 92 SB
LP 2 203686 8 D 18 05 92 SB
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Brazil | EMI 168 799161 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Colombia | EMI 11001472First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Croatia | EMI EMD 1032 / Croatia Records LP-7-2 2036868First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Ecuador | EMI 303-0239First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Ecuador | EMI 303-0239First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1992 | Ecuador | EMI 303-0239First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1992 | Greece | EMI 7 99161 1 / EMI 7991611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Greece | EMI 7 99161 1 / EMI 7991611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Hungary | MMC Records 69515-1 / MMC Records 799161 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Italy | EMI 54 7991611 / EMI 54 7991621First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1992 | Italy | EMI 54 7991611 / EMI 54 7991621First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1992 | Poland | MJM Music PL MJM 139 / EMI EMD1032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Poland | MMC Records EMD 10321First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Misprint | LP, Album, Mispress, Misprint |
| 1992 | Portugal | EMI 7991611First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | South Africa | EMI EMCJD(I) 5456First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Sanctuary 538276291 / BMG 538276291LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2017 | US | Sanctuary 538276291 / BMG 538276291LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2017 | Europe | Parlophone 0190295852344LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Argentina | Parlophone 0190295852344 / Plaza Independencia Música 0190295852344LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2025 | Chile | Parlophone 0190295852344 / Música & Marketing Chile SPA 0190295852344LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | EMI PLP 9692509LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| ? | Argentina | Parlophone 0190295852344 / Plaza Independencia Música 0190295852344LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| ? | US | Sanctuary 538276291 / BMG 538276291LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
33 vinyl pressings of Fear Of The Dark are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1992 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1992, in UK, Europe, Brazil, Colombia and more. One of them is EMI EMD 1032.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMD 1032, 7991611, 168 799161 1, 11001472) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMD 10321 A-01-1-1 and EMD 10321 B-01-1-2. 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.
