Vinyl pressings
by The Electric Chairs · 1978
Storm The Gates Of Heaven was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
[Utopia lyre symbol] GOOD + 1 + A2Side A runout, etched
[Utopia lyre symbol] GOOD + 1 + B2Side B runout, etched
†GOOD 1-A†Side A label
†GOOD 1-B†Side B label
GOOD 1 A1Side A runout
GOOD 1 B1Side B runout
61 847 A-1Side A runout stamped
61 847 B-1Side B runout stamped
61 986 A - 1Side A runout
61 986 B - 1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Attic LAT 1064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Safari Records 064 CRY 61 847First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Safari Records 064 CRY 61 986First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | Safari Records LONG 11801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Safari Records MWF 1057First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Safari Records MWF 1057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Safari Records GOOD 1 / Safari Records GOOD1First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | Safari Records GOOD 1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Italy | Spittle Records SPITTLE120LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | Italy | Spittle Records SPITTLE120LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
10 vinyl pressings of Storm The Gates Of Heaven are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1978 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Canada, Germany, Italy and more. One of them is Safari Records GOOD 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GOOD 1, LAT 1064, 064 CRY 61 847, 064 CRY 61 986) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [Utopia lyre symbol] GOOD + 1 + A2 and [Utopia lyre symbol] GOOD + 1 + B2. 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.
