Vinyl pressings
by Lee Aaron · 1984
Metal Queen 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.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
LAT 1188 A1Runout, side A, variant 1
LAT 1188 B1Runout, side B, variant 1
LAT 1188 A1 12T. [sign.] E. DM- 1Runout, side A, etched & stamped, variant 2
LAT 1188 B1 12T. G. [sign.] DM - 1Runout, side B, etched & stamped, variant 2
LAT 1188 A1 12T. [sign.] E. DM- 20Runout, side A, variant 1, etched & stamped
LAT 1188 B1 12T. G. [sign.] DM-19Runout, side B, variant 1, etched & stamped
LAT 1188 A1 12T. [sign.] S. DM- 14Runout, side A, variant 2, etched (14 stamped)
LAT 1188 B1 12T. S. [sign.] DM- 15Runout, side B, variant 2, etched (15 stamped)
DIX 47 A-1U-1-1-X1 TOWNHOUSE DSide A
DIX 47 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DSide B
BT 7033ASide A - Etched
BT 7033BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Big Time BT 7033 / Attic BT 7033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Benelux | Roadrunner Records RR 9861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Attic LAT 1188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Attic LAT-51188LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Canada | Attic LAT 1188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Attic ATM-1188LPFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Metronome 841 674-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | 10 Records DIX 47 / Attic DIX 47First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | 10 Records DIX 47 / Attic DIX 47First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Attic DIX 47 / 10 Records DIX 47LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0363First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | 10 Records 207 578-270 / Attic 207 578LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | 10 Records 207 578-620 / Attic 207 578LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Canada | Unidisc ATM-1188LP / Attic ATM-1188LPLP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
15 vinyl pressings of Metal Queen are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Canada, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Attic LAT 1188.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LAT 1188, ATM-1188LP, DIX 47, 28MM 0363) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LAT 1188 A1 and LAT 1188 B1. 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.
