US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Ground Zero Records GZ002
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
S-12784 GZ 002-A △ Hi Biff ! SLM 8244 1-1, TML-MRunout side A
S-12785 GZ-002 B SLM △ 8244. X ,TML-M 1-1Runout side B
Vinyl pressings
Metal Church
by Metal Church · 1984
19 pressings7 countriesHeavy MetalThrashRock
Metal Church 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Metal Church
5 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 3 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.
Canada
1984- Label and catalog number
- Banzai Records BRC 1933
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
BRC-1933 THIS SIDE SNB 230 EL DM- 1Side A runout, variant 1
BRC-1933 THAT SIDE SNB 230 EL DM- 3Side B runout, variant 1
BRC-1933 THIS SIDE SNB 230 EL DM- 3Side A runout, variant 2
BRC-1933 THAT SIDE SNB 230 EL DM- 3Side B runout, variant 2
Germany
1984- Label and catalog number
- Steamhammer SH 0023
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
.ham. SH 0023 A2Side A
.ham. SH 0023 B2Side B
Germany
1984- Label and catalog number
- Steamhammer 08-1842Steamhammer SH 0023
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
.ham. SH 0023 A2Side A
.ham. SH 0023 B2Side B
Germany
1984- Label and catalog number
- Steamhammer 08-1842Steamhammer SH 0023
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
.ham. SH 0023 A2Side A
.ham. SH 0023 B2Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 19 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s15 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Banzai Records BRC 1933First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Steamhammer SH 0023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Steamhammer 08-1842 / Steamhammer SH 0023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Steamhammer 08-1842 / Steamhammer SH 0023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Steamhammer SH 0023LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Ground Zero Records GZ002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Not On Label LPMC-10.007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Elektra 960 471-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60471-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60471-1LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60471-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 9 60471-1 / Elektra 60471-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Brazil | Elektra 604.7191LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | Elektra LWE-6468LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Korea | Oasis Records OLW-387LP, Album | LP, Album |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1666 / Elektra MOVLP1666LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1666 / Elektra MOVLP1666LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Elektra 960 471-1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1666 / Elektra MOVLP1666LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Tracklist
- A1Beyond The Black6:21
- A2Metal Church5:00
- A3Merciless Onslaught2:55
- A4Gods Of Wrath6:42
- B1Hitman5:30
- B2In The Blood3:30
- B3(My Favorite) Nightmare3:10
- B4Battalions4:54
- B5Highway Star4:37
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Metal Church are there?
19 vinyl pressings of Metal Church are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 2019.
When was Metal Church first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Canada, Germany. One of them is Ground Zero Records GZ002.
How do I tell if my copy of Metal Church is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GZ002, BRC 1933, SH 0023, 08-1842) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S-12784 GZ 002-A △ Hi Biff ! SLM 8244 1-1, TML-M and S-12785 GZ-002 B SLM △ 8244. X ,TML-M 1-1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Metal Church on vinyl worth?
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.
