Vinyl pressings
by Iron Maiden · 1981
Twilight Zone / Wrathchild was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
MAJIC EMI 5145 A-2 O NSide A runout, variant 1
TOWNHOUSE EMI 5145 B-1U O NSide AA runout, variant 1
MAJIC EMI 5145 A-2 0 2 1Side A runout, variant 2
TOWNHOUSE EMI 5145 B-1U 2 3 1Side AA runout, variant 2
EMI 5145 A-2Side A runout, variant 1
TOWNHOUSE EMI 5145 B-1USide B runout, variant 1
EMI 5145 A-2 4 1 2 MAJICSide A runout, variant 2
TOWNHOUSE EMI 5145 B-1U 1 0 3Side B runout, variant 2
EMI 5145 A-2 MAJICSide A runout (variant 1)
TOWNHOUSE EMI 5145 B-1USide AA runout (variant 1)
EMI 5145 A-2 3 1 2 MAJICSide A runout (variant 2)
TOWNHOUSE EMI 5145 B-1U 5 1 1Side AA runout (variant 2)
EMI 5145ASide A label
EMI 5145BSide B label
TOWNHOUSE EMI 5145 B-1 USide A runout
EMI 5145 A-2 MAJICSide AA runout
EMI 5145ASide A label
EMI 5145BSide AA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 008-07462 / EMI 2C 008-07.462First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 052-07 462 YZ / EMI 052-07 462First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 052-07 462First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 052-07 462First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 052-07 462First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5145First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-07462First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-07462First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-07462First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-007462First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-007462First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMI 5145First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMI 5145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMI 5145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMI 5145First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Parlophone 2564625173 / Parlophone 51457", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | BMG BMG14024V / BMG 8810341117467", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
26 vinyl pressings of Twilight Zone / Wrathchild are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Yugoslavia, France, Germany and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5145, released March 2, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5145, SEMI 89028, 2C 008-07462, 1C 052-07 462 YZ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MAJIC EMI 5145 A-2 O N and TOWNHOUSE EMI 5145 B-1U O N. 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.
