Vinyl pressings
by Mike Oldfield · 1984
The Killing Fields 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.
16 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
V 2328 A-1U-1-Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
V 2328 B-1U-1-Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
V 2328 A-1U-1- 2Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
V 2328 B-3U-1-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
Å MX215201 VS2328-1Side 1 runout hand etched
Å MX2152 ̷1̷2̷02 V2328-2Side 2 runout hand etched
MX215201Side 1 label
MX215202Side 2 label
DM 206707 A-1/84S II VRunout side A, variant 1
DM 206707 B-2/84 S IIRunout side B, variant 1
DM 206707 A-1/84S IIRunout side A, variant 2
DM 206707 B-1/84S I IIRunout side B, variant 2
DM 206707 A-1/84S II IIIRunout side A, variant 1
DM 206707 B-1/84S I IIRunout side B, variant 1
DM 206707 A-1/84S IIRunout side A, variant 2
DM 206707 B-1/84S I II,Runout side B, variant 2
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 | Virgin V2328 / Virgin V 2328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin V2328 / Virgin V 2328First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VL 2317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 70301First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Virgin VG-50096 / Virgin 062-VG 50096First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ireland | Virgin V 2328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Virgin V 2328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | Virgin LAE-619First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2328First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | Virgin 629105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin T-206.707 / Virgin T-206707First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin V2328 / Virgin V 2328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Virgin 206 707LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Mercury 474 777-1 / Mercury 00602547477712LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Virgin E-206 707LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
33 vinyl pressings of The Killing Fields are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1984 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Virgin V2328.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2328, OVED 183, VL 2317, 206 707) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2328 A-1U-1- and V 2328 B-1U-1-. 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.
