Vinyl pressings
by Rage Against The Machine · 1996
Evil Empire was first pressed on vinyl in 1996. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1996, 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.
AL-57523-1BA-side runout, variant 1
BL-57523-1BB-side runout, variant 1
AL-57523-1B 2A-side runout, variant 2
BL-57523-1BB-side runout, variant 2
01 481026 20 1A1Side A [Stamped], variant 1
01 481026 20 1B1Side B [Stamped], variant 1
01 481026 20 1A1 ASide A [Stamped] (2nd A is etched), variant 2
01 481026 20 1B1 ASide B [Stamped] (2nd A is etched), variant 2
01 481026 20 1A1Side A [Stamped]
01 481026 20 1B1Side B [Stamped]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Europe | Epic EPC 481026 1 / Epic 481026 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1996 | Japan | Epic EPC 481026 1 / Epic 481026 1First yearBox Set, Limited Edition, LP, Album · Limited | Box Set, Limited Edition, LP, Album · Limited |
| 1996 | US | Epic E 57523 / Epic Records Group E 57523First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | UK | Simply Vinyl S160023 / Epic 481026 1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| 2009 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP017 / Epic 481026 1LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP017 / Epic 481026 1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | US | Epic 88985324561 / Sony Music Commercial Music Group 88985324561LP, Album, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Numbered, Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 19075851201LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 19075851201 / Legacy 19075851201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 19075851201 / Legacy 19075851201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 19075851201 / Legacy 19075851201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | US | Epic 19075851201LP, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Misprint, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | Epic 19075851201 / Legacy 19075851201LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2018 | US | Epic 19075851201 / Legacy 19075851201LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2018 | US | Epic 19075851201LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Australia | Epic 19075851201 / Legacy 19075851201LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Unknown | Epic 481026 1 LP / Music On Vinyl MOVLP017LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Epic 19075851201 / Legacy 19075851201LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK & Europe | Epic 481026 1 / Simply Vinyl S160023LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Epic E 57523 / Epic Records Group E 57523LP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
20 vinyl pressings of Evil Empire are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1996 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1996, in US, Europe, Japan. One of them is Epic E 57523, released April 16, 1996.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E 57523, EPC 481026 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-57523-1B and BL-57523-1B. 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.
