Europe
September 1990- Label and catalog number
- EMI USA 2 LP 164 7950691EMI USA MTL 1058
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
7950701-A1Stamped Side 1 Disc 1
7950701-B1Stamped Side 2 Disc 1
7950711-A1Stamped Side 1 Disc 2
7950711-B1Stamped Side 2 Disc 2
Vinyl pressings
Empire
by Queensrÿche · 1990
23 pressings12 countriesHard RockProg RockRock
Empire was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. 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 Empire
9 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 8 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.
Europe
1990- Label and catalog number
- EMI USA 2 LP 198 7 950691EMI USA 2 LP 198-7 95069 1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
7950701-A1Runout side A, variant 1
7950701-B1Runout side B, variant 1
7950711-A1Runout side C, variant 1
7950711-B1Runout side D, variant 1
US
1990- Label and catalog number
- EMI USA E1-92806
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
E1-1-92806-Z1-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-1Side 1, Etched
E1-2-92806-Z1-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP 1-1Side 2, Etched
E1-3-92806-Z1-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP 1-1Side 3, Etched
E1-3-92806-Z2-DMM SP 1-1Side 4, Etched
Brazil
1990- Label and catalog number
- EMI USA 168 795069 1EMI USA 795069 1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
795070 1 01 ℗ 1990 200A-Side Runout etching disc 1 and disc 2
795070 2 01 ℗ 1990 200B-Side Runout etching disc 1 and disc 2
Colombia
1990- Label and catalog number
- EMI 111325
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
COL 111325 ARunout Side A
COL 111325 BRunout Side B
Italy
1990- Label and catalog number
- EMI USA 2-62 7950691
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
7950701-A 18-7-90 IA QUEENSRYCHErecord 1, side A, variant 1
7950701-B 18-7-90 IA QUEENSRYCHErecord 1, side B, variant 1
7950711-A 18-7-90 IA QUEENSRYCHErecord 2, side A, variant 1
7950711-B 18-7-90 IA QUEENSRYCHErecord 2, side B, variant 1
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 23 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1990s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | EMI USA 168 795069 1 / EMI USA 795069 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Colombia | EMI 111325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Europe | EMI USA 2 LP 198 7 950691 / EMI USA 2 LP 198-7 95069 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Italy | EMI USA 2-62 7950691First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | South Korea | EMI USA E1-92806 / EMI / Kemongsa Music Ltd. EKPL-0131~0132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | South Korea | EMI USA E1-92806LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1990 | Spain | EMI USA 168 7950691First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1990 | US | EMI USA E1-92806First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Venezuela | EMI EMI-26222First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Europe | EMI USA 2 LP 164 7950691 / EMI USA MTL 1058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Mexico | EMI 117 795069 1LP, Album | LP, Album |
2010s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Friday Music FRM 95069LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2017 | UK | Back On Black BOBV483LPLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2017 | UK | Back On Black BOBV483LPLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | US | Friday Music FRM-85069 / Capitol Records B0026573-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
2020s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Friday Music FRM-85069 / Universal Music Special Markets B0026573-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Friday Music FRM-85069 / Capitol Records B0026573-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Unknown | Capitol Records 7711852LP, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2021 | USA & Europe | Capitol Records 0602577118524LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | USA & Canada | Capitol Records 0602577118524LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2023 | US | Friday Music FRM-85069 / Capitol Records B0026573-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Back On Black BOBV483LPLP, Album, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Repress · Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | EMI America 7950711LP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1Best I Can5:30
- A2The Thin Line5:42
- A3Jet City Woman5:20
- B1Della Brown7:04
- B2Another Rainy Night (Without You)4:44
- B3Empire5:07
- C1Resistance4:47
- C2Silent Lucidity5:45
- C3Hand On Heart5:30
- D1One And Only5:52
- D2Anybody Listening?7:41
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Empire are there?
23 vinyl pressings of Empire are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1990 and 2023.
When was Empire first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in Europe, US, Brazil, Colombia and more. One of them is EMI USA 2 LP 164 7950691, released September 1990.
How do I tell if my copy of Empire is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2 LP 164 7950691, 2 LP 198 7 950691, E1-92806, 168 795069 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7950701-A1 and 7950701-B1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Empire 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.
