Vinyl pressings
by Riot · 1988
Thundersteel was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 5 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.
01 460976 1A1 ARunout Side A variant 1
01 460976 1B1 BRunout Side B variant 1
01 460976 1A1 ARunout Side A variant 2
01 460976 1B1 ARunout Side B variant 2
AL 44232-/A G2 MASTERDISK DMM B2Side A runout, variant 1
BL 44232-/A G2 MASTERDISK DMM B2Side B runout, variant 1
AL 44232-1A G2 MASTERDISK DMM A4Side A runout, variant 2
BL 44232-1A G2 MASTERDISK DMM A3Side B runout, variant 2
AL 44232 - 1A G2 MASTERDISK DMM B2Side A Variation 1
BL 44232 - 1A G2 MASTERDISK DMM B2Side B Variation 1
AL 44232 - 1A G1 MASTERDISK DMM A3Side A Variation 2
BL 44232 - 1A G2 MASTERDISK DMM A4Side B Variation 2
AL-44232 IB5HZ: ② DM 5Side A, etched 5 stamed
BL-44232 IA 5Z Dm 1Side B, etched 1 stamped
AL 44232Side A label
BL 44232Side B label
01 460976 1A1 (stamped), HP-SPANJE 460976-1-A (etched)Side A
01 460976 1B1 (stamped), HP-SPANJE 460976-1-B (etched)Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | Epic EPC 460976 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Epic EPC 460976 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Epic EPC 460976 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | CBS Associated Records BFZ 44232 / CBS Associated Records Z 44232First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | CBS Associated Records BFZ 44232 / CBS Associated Records Z 44232First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | Canada | CBS Associated Records BFZ 44232First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Epic 268.012/1-460976 / Epic 268.012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15417-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15417-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15601-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | USA & Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15601-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15601-9LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2018 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15601-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2018 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15601-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | Europe | Metal Blade Records 3984-15601-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
15 vinyl pressings of Thundersteel are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1988 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, US, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is Epic EPC 460976 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 460976 1, BFZ 44232) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01 460976 1A1 A and 01 460976 1B1 B. 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.
