US
1988- Label and catalog number
- Roadracer Records RRD 2455
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Promo
- Runout / matrix
RR 2455 AA-side
RR 2455 BB-side
Vinyl pressings
The Dark Sides
by King Diamond · 1988
16 pressings7 countriesHeavy MetalRock
The Dark Sides was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Dark Sides
5 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 3 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.
Europe
1988- Label and catalog number
- Roadrunner Records RR 2455 1
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
RR-2455-ASide A - Hand-etched
RR-2455-BSide B - Hand-etched
Europe
1988- Label and catalog number
- Roadrunner Records RR 2455 1
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
RR-2455-A 08-25073-20-1A1Side A - Hand-etched
RR-2455-B 08-25073-20-1B1Side B - Hand-etched
USA & Canada
1988- Label and catalog number
- Roadracer Records RR 2455
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
RR-2455-ASide A label
RR-2455-BSide B label
RR·2455 A fw ¢ ◈-G-◈A-side
RR·2455·B ◈-G-◈B-side
USA & Canada
1988- Label and catalog number
- Roadracer Records RR 2455
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
RR 2455 A ◈-P-◈ 1 FW ¢Runout, Stamped A Side
RR 2455 B ◈-P-◈ 1 FWRunout, Stamped B Side
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 16 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | Roadrunner Records RR 2455 1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Europe | Roadrunner Records RR 2455 1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Roadrunner Records RR 2455 112", EP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", EP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | US | Roadracer Records RRD 2455First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | USA & Canada | Roadracer Records RR 2455First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation |
| 1988 | USA & Canada | Roadracer Records RR 2455First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | USA & Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-25058-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
2020s9 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2020 | Germany | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | UK | Metal Blade Records 3984-15680-112", EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", EP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Tracklist
- A1Halloween4:12
- A2Them1:55
- A3No Presents For Christmas4:18
- B1Shrine4:20
- B2The Lake4:11
- B3Phone Call1:38
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Dark Sides are there?
16 vinyl pressings of The Dark Sides are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1988 and 2026.
When was The Dark Sides first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Europe, USA & Canada. One of them is Roadracer Records RRD 2455.
How do I tell if my copy of The Dark Sides is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RRD 2455, RR 2455 1, RR 2455) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RR 2455 A and RR 2455 B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Dark Sides on vinyl worth?
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.
