Vinyl pressings
by Meat Loaf · 1986
Rock 'N' Roll Mercenaries was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 7 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.
DM DS 108458 A 3/8-86Runout side A Stamped, variant 1
DM DS 108458 B 2/8-86Runout side B Stamped, variant 1
DM DS 108458 A 2/8-86Runout side A, variant 2
DM DS 108458 B 2/8-86Runout side B, variant 2
DM 608458 A-2 / 8 - 86Stamped Side A
DM 608458 B-2 / 8 - 86Stamped Side B
608 458 ALabel Side A
608 458 BLabel Side B
ARIST 666 A 1 ARUN <Runout side A, variant 1
ARIST 666 B 1 <Runout side B, variant 1
ARIST 666 A1 3 A ARUNRunout side A, variant 2
ARIST 666-B1 ARunout side B, variant 2
Arist 12666 A-4 1 DAMONT ASide A runout
ARIST 12 666 B1 [E upside down] DAMONT ⋀Side B runout
ARIST+666+P+A2 SRT JARunout side A
ARIST+666+P+B ORLAKERunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista TDS 350First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista 104598First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | Arista 104598First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Arista 108 458First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Arista 608 458First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Arista 108 527First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Arista ARIST 666First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Arista 608 458First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | South Africa | Arista AAJ 124First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Arista ARIST 666First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Arista ARIST 12666First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Arista ARIST 666XPFirst year7", 45 RPM, Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1986 | UK | Arista ARIST 666PFirst year7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 7-89303First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 7-89303First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Rock 'N' Roll Mercenaries are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is Arista 108 458.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 108 458, 608 458, 108 527, ARIST 666) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM DS 108458 A 3/8-86 and DM DS 108458 B 2/8-86. 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.
