Vinyl pressings
by Krokus · 1980
Metal Rendez-vous was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 17 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.
LP - 201199 A R. SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]Runout A variant 1
LP - 201199 B R. SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]Runout B variant 1
201199 A SWISS MADE [crossbow logo] R. SO.Runout A variant 2
LP - 201199 B SWISS MADE [crossbow logo] R. SO.Runout B variant 2
LP - 201199 A SWISS MADERunout A
LP - 201199 B SWISS MADERunout B
S 201 199 ACenter Label A
S 201 199 BCenter Label B
201199 R.SO. A SWISS MADESide A stamped
LP - 201199 R.SO. B SWISS MADESide B stamped
201199 A R. SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]Runout A
LP - 201199 B R. SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]Runout B
S 201 199 ACenter Label A
S 201 199 BCenter Label B
ARL 5056A-1 ♢BJ 1Runout Side A, Etched
ARL 5056B-1 ♢BJ 1Runout Side B, Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Ariola 201-199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Ariola Records America OL 1502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista ALB6-8314LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | Ariola Switzerland 18(0431)00145First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Eurodisc 201 199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Ariola 201 199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 201 199 / Ariola 201 199-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Ariola 6483233 / Ariola 6483 233First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Ariola 6483233LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Italy | Ariola ARL 39002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Ariola ARL 1069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Ariola K28P-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Mexico | Ariola LAE-273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Ariola 201 199First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Back On Black BOBV316LPLP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2012 | UK | Back On Black BOBV316LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2019 | Europe | Sony Music 19075942231-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3912LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Ariola 201 199 / Ariola 201 199-320LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Ariola 209 048 / Arista 209 048LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Ariola 201 199 / Ariola 201 199-320LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Ariola ARL 5056LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | US | Arista OL 1502 / Arista AL8-8053LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
52 vinyl pressings of Metal Rendez-vous are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1980 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Switzerland, UK, US, Germany and more. One of them is Ariola 201 199-320.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 201 199-320, 201 199, ARL 5056, AL 9597) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LP - 201199 A R. SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo] and LP - 201199 B R. SO. SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]. 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.
