Vinyl pressings
by Omen · 1986
The Curse 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.
5 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
ST-1-73230 G-1 ɑ B-25379-G1 △14317 1-1Side 1 etched
ST-2-73230 G-1 ɑ B-25380-G1 △14317-X 1-1Side 2 etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide 1, Side 2 stamped
73230-1-ASide 1 Label
ST-1-73230 G-1 ɑ B-25379-G1 △14317 1-1Side 1 etched runout
ST-2-73230 G-1 ɑ B-25380-G1 △14317-X 1-1Side 2 etched runout
MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide 1 & Side 2 stamped runout
73230-1-ASide 1 Label
RR 9661 - ARunout Side 1
RR 9661 - BRunout Side 1
RR 9661 - ARunout Side 1
RR 9661 - BRunout Side 1
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 | Enigma Canada ST-73230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Metal Blade Records RR 9661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Roadrunner Records RR 9661LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Europe | Metal Blade Records RR 9661First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Enigma ST-73230LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | US | Enigma ST-73230 / Metal Blade Records ST-73230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Enigma ST-73230 / Metal Blade Records ST-73230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Enigma ALI-28037 / Alfa ALI-28037LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | Enigma ALI-28037 / Alfa ALI-28037LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-14216-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-14216-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2017 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-14216-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-14216-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-14216-1LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Remastered |
14 vinyl pressings of The Curse are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1986 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Canada, Europe. One of them is Enigma ST-73230.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-73230, RR 9661) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-73230 G-1 ɑ B-25379-G1 △14317 1-1 and ST-2-73230 G-1 ɑ B-25380-G1 △14317-X 1-1. 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.
