Vinyl pressings
by Kiss · 1985
Asylum was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 26 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.
B-3 ᐉ 422-826-099-1-AS-HRM-1 STERLINGSide 1 Runout, Variant 1
A-1 ᐉ 422-826-099-1-BS-HRM-1 STERLINGSide 2 Runout, Variant 1
B- ᐉ 422-826-099-1-AS-HRM-1 STERLINGSide 1 Runout, Variant 2
B-2 ᐉ 422-826-099·1-BS-HRM-1 STERLINGSide 2 Runout, Variant 2
422-826-099-1-AS-PRC-R2-3-1 2-953-93XEtched, Runout Side A, variant 1
422-826-099-1-BS-PRC-R2-3-2G-983-53XEtched, Runout Side B, variant 1
STERLINGStamped, Runout Sides A-B, variant 1
422-826-099-1 AS PRC R2 3-3-1 STERLING 805-225-2Runout Side A etched, STERLING stamped, variant 2
422-826-099-1-BS-CP1 STERLINGSide B Runout
422-826-099-1-AS-CP3 STERLINGSide A Runout
VERH 32 A // 1 ▽420 C KIZZA ME ΛSide A runout
VERH 32 B // 1 ▽420 C KIZZA ME TOO Λ timtomSide B runout
V ( ) (B) P28R-2003A 111 +Side A / Stamped, Variant 1
G P28R-2003B 111 +Side B / Stamped, Variant 1
V 〄 Ⓑ R28R-2003A 111 ❇❇ KSide A / Stamped, Variant 2
G R28R-2003B 111 ❇❇Side B / Stamped, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Mercury 27274 / Mercury 826 099-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australasia | Mercury 826099-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Mercury 826 099-1 / Mercury 8260991First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Mercury SRM 1 4120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Mercury SRM 1 4120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Mercury SRM 1 4120LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Colombia | Mercury 826099-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ecuador | Mercury LP.- 70054First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Mercury 826 099-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Mercury 826 099-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Mercury 826 099-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Finland | Mercury 826 099-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 826 099-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 826 099-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Mercury 826 099-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Mercury 06025 377 536-6 (6) / Universal Music Group International 06025 377 536-6 (6)LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue |
| 2014 | Germany | Mercury 0602537807505LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Mercury B0020243-01 / UMe B0020243-01LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Mercury B0020243-01 / UMe B0020243-01LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue | LP, Album, Remastered, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Mercury 826 099-1LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Worldwide | Mercury 602475801917 / UMe 602475801917LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Worldwide | Mercury 602475801900 / UMe 602475801900LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 2026 | Europe | Kiss Army Records KALP19850916LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Mercury SRM 1 4120LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light ST .48LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
50 vinyl pressings of Asylum are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1985 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Argentina, Japan and more. One of them is Mercury 826 099-1 M-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 826 099-1 M-1, 826 099-1M-1, VERH 32, 27274) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B-3 ᐉ 422-826-099-1-AS-HRM-1 STERLING and A-1 ᐉ 422-826-099-1-BS-HRM-1 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.
