US
April 3, 1989- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records C1-48942
- Format
- LP, Album · Specialty pressing
- Runout / matrix
C-1-1-48942-RE1-Z4 1-1 SRCSide A runout
C1-2-48942-Z3 1-1 SRCSide B runout
Vinyl pressings
The Headless Children
by W.A.S.P. · 1989
33 pressings17 countriesHeavy MetalRock
The Headless Children was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. 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 The Headless Children
22 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 16 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.
UK
April 3, 1989- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records EST 2087Capitol Records 74 8942 1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
EST 2087 A-1-1-1- DSide A stamped runout (variant 1)
EST 2087 B-1-1-1- DSide B stamped runout (variant 1)
EST 2087 A-1-1-1- DSide A stamped runout (variant 2)
EST 2087 B-2 -1- DSide B stamped runout (variant 2)
UK
1989- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records ESTPD 2087
- Format
- LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Special Edition
- Runout / matrix
EST+PD+2087+A ORLAKESide A, hand etched
EST+PD+2087+B ORLAKESide B, hand etched
UK
1989- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records EST 2087Capitol Records 74 8942 1
- Format
- LP, Album, White Label
- Runout / matrix
EST 2087 A-1-1-1- DSide A runout, stamped
EST 2087 B-1-1-1- DSide B runout, stamped
Argentina
1989- Label and catalog number
- EMI 58069
- Format
- LP, Album
Australia
1989- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records ST-748942
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
ST 748942 ASide A runout
ST 748942 BSide B runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 33 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s26 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Argentina | EMI 58069First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Argentina | EMI 58069First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-748942First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | Capitol Records 066 748942First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Capitol Records 064 7 48942 1 / Capitol Records 7 48942 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Capitol Records 7 48942 1 / Capitol Records 064 7 48942 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Fame FA 3261LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | France | Capitol Records 064-7 48942 1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | France | Capitol Records 064-7 48942 1 / Capitol Records 7 48942 1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Germany | Capitol Records 0647489421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Capitol Records EST 2087 / Capitol Records 74 8942 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Capitol Records EST 2087 / Capitol Records 062-7489421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Guatemala | Capitol Records 33301First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Italy | Capitol Records 64 7489421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Mexico | EMI SLEM-1594First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Sweden | Vinyl Maniacs VMLP006LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
2010s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Germany | Madfish SMALP974LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2012 | Germany | Madfish SMALP974LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Madfish SMALP1254LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2026 | Europe | Madfish SMALP1254LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Capitol Records 038 7 48942 1 / Capitol Records 7 48942 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | Not On Label (W.A.S.P.) HM216LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Tracklist
- A1The Heretic (The Lost Child)7:23
- A2The Real Me3:20
- A3The Headless Children5:56
- A4Thunderhead6:50
- B1Mean Man4:57
- B2The Neutron Bomber4:07
- B3Mephisto Waltz1:24
- B4Forever Free5:11
- B5Maneater4:47
- B6Rebel In The F.D.G.5:07
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Headless Children are there?
33 vinyl pressings of The Headless Children are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1989 and 2026.
When was The Headless Children first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Capitol Records C1-48942, released April 3, 1989.
How do I tell if my copy of The Headless Children is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C1-48942, EST 2087, ESTPD 2087, 58069) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C-1-1-48942-RE1-Z4 1-1 SRC and C1-2-48942-Z3 1-1 SRC. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Headless Children 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.
