Vinyl pressings
by Metal Church · 1986
The Dark 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.
12 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 960493-1-A D STE 60493 A DMM-Z STERLING TJ 13 43 SPGER BERunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 960493-1-B STE 60493 B DMM-1 STERLING TJ SP-1-3 41 SPGERRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 960493-1-A D STE 60493 A DMM-Z STERLING TJ 13 43 SPGER BERunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 960493-1-B STE 60493 B DMM-1 STERLING TJ SP-1-3 41 SPGERRunout side B, variant 2
STE 60493 A DMM-2 STERLING TJ 14Side A runout - Variant 1
STE 60493 B DMM-1 STERLING TJ SP 1-1Side B runout - Variant 1
STE 60493 A DMM-2 STERLING TJ 11Side A runout - Variant 2
STE 60493 B DMM-1 STERLING TJ SP 1-1Side B runout - Variant 2
Side A: STE 60493 A DMM Z STERLING
STE 60493 A DMM-2 STERLING TJ 1 2 SP-AR 14526 B25584-DMM 2Runout A
STE 60493 B DMM-1 STERLING TJ SP 1-2 SP-AR 0- 14526-X B-25585- DMM-1Runout B
ST-E-60493-1-A-ARLabel A
ST-E-60493-1-B-ARLabel B
STE 60493 A DMM-2 STERLING TJ 1-1Runout A
STE 60493 B DMM-1 STERLING TJ SP 1-1Runout B
ST-E-60493-1-A-SPLabel A
ST-E-60493-1-B-SPLabel B
STE 60493 A DMM-2 STERLING TJ 1 2 SP-AR 14526 B25584-DMM 2Runout A
STE 60493 B DMM-1 STERLING TJ SP 1-2 SP-AR 0- 14526-X B-25585- DMM-1Runout B
ST-E-60493-1-A-ARLabel A
ST-E-60493-1-B-ARLabel 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 | Canada | Elektra 96 04931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Elektra E1 60493LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | Elektra 96 04931First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Elektra 960 493-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Elektra 960 493-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Korea | Elektra 60493-1LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1986 | Spain | Elektra 960 493-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 9 60493-1 / Elektra 60493-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 60493-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 60493-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 9 60493-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 9 E1-60493LP, Album, Club Edition, Repress · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Repress · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 60493-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 60493-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 60493LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3123 / Elektra MOVLP3123LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3123 / Elektra MOVLP3123LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Elektra 960 493-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of The Dark are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1986 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, US, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra 960 493-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 960 493-1, 9 60493-1, 60493-1, P-13426) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 960493-1-A D STE 60493 A DMM-Z STERLING TJ 13 43 SPGER BE and R/S Alsdorf 960493-1-B STE 60493 B DMM-1 STERLING TJ SP-1-3 41 SPGER. 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.
