Vinyl pressings
by Krokus · 1984
The Blitz was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AL-8-8243-SA-RE 1-1 STERLING N3ESide A, variant 1
AL-8-8243-SB-RE 1-1 STERLING A1KSide B, variant 1
AL-8-8243-SA-3 STERLING A2Side A, variant 2
AL-8-8243-SB 1 STERLING 1Side B, variant 2
AL-8-8243-SA-RE 1-2Side 1, variant 1
AL-8-8243-SB-RE 1-2Side 2, variant 1
AL-8-8243-SA-RE 1-2 STERLING A 2Side 1, variant 2
AL-8-8243-SB-RE 1-2 STERLING A 2Side 2, variant 2
AL-8-8243-SA-RE 1-2 STERLING I A3ISide A runout, variant 1
AL-8-8243-SB-RE 1-1 STERLING I A1TSide B runout, variant 1
AL-8-8243-SA-RE 1-1 STERLING I A3GSide A runout, variant 2
AL-8-8243-SB-RE 1-1 STERLING I A4GSide B runout, variant 2
7 SMX 62687 P2AHand Etched Side A
10 SMX 62688 P2AHand Etched Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Arista TLP-60103First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | Arista L-38254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Arista AL8-8243 / Arista AL 8 8243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Arista AL8-8243 / Arista AL 8 8243LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 206 494 / Arista 206 494-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 206 494First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Arista VG 60003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | Arista BAN 206494First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Arista ARS 39194First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Mexico | Arista LAE-601 / Arista 206.431First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Arista VPLI 7540First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Arista L-38254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 90104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Korea | Seoul Records SRD2-087 / Arista AL 8-8243First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Arista I·206494 / Arista I-206.494First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Back On Black BOBV318LPLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
24 vinyl pressings of The Blitz are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1984 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Japan, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Arista AL 8-8243.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AL 8-8243, AL8-8243, 25RS-228, TLP-60103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-8-8243-SA-RE 1-1 STERLING N3E and AL-8-8243-SB-RE 1-1 STERLING A1K. 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.
