Skip to content
VinylLens
Under The Big Black Sun by X, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Under The Big Black Sun

by X · 1982

26 pressings10 countriesPunkPost-PunkRock & RollRock

Under The Big Black Sun was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 Under The Big Black Sun

17 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 10 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.

US

July 1982
Label and catalog number
Elektra 9 60150-1Elektra 60150
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Allied Pressing
Runout / matrix

60150-A-4-SH-AR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16766-A4 Precision SM∙ + SLM △ 1607Runout side A, hand etched, variant 1

60150-B-4-SH-AR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16767-B4 Precision SM∙ + SLM △ 1607-XRunout side B, hand etched, variant 1

60150-A-3-SH-AR B-16766-A3 Precision SM∙ + SLM △ 1607Runout side A, hand etched, variant 2

60150-B-4-SH-AR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16767-B4 Precision SM∙ + SLM △ 1607-XRunout side B, hand etched, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

July 1982
Label and catalog number
Elektra 9 60150-1Elektra 60150
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · SRC Pressing
Runout / matrix

SP 60150-A-1-SP 0-/ SMI-2 + SLM Precision SM∙ △ 1607Runout side A, hand etched. variant 1

SP 60150-B-1-SP 0-/ SMI-2 + SLM Precision SM∙ △ 1607-XRunout side B, hand etched. variant 1

SP 60150-A-1-SP 0-/ + SLM Precision SM∙ △ 1607Runout side A, hand etched. variant 2

SP 60150-B-1-SP 0-/ SMI-1 + SLM Precision SM∙ △ 1607-XRunout side B, hand etched. variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

July 1982
Label and catalog number
Elektra 9 60150-1Elektra 60150
Format
LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Allied Pressing
Runout / matrix

60150-A-3-SH-AR B-16766-A3 Precision SM + SLM △ 1607Runout side A [etched]

60150B3-SH-AR a B-16767-B3 Precision SM + SLM △ 1607-XRunout side B [etched]

60150-ALabel side A

60150-BLabel side B

Full details of this pressing

US

July 1982
Label and catalog number
Elektra 9 60150-1Elektra 60150
Format
LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Specialty Pressing
Runout / matrix

SP 60150-A-1-SP 0-/ SMI-2 + SLM Precision SM∙ △ 1607Runout side A, hand etched.

SP 60150-B-1-SP 0-/ SMI-1 + SLM Precision SM∙ △ 1607-XRunout side B, hand etched.

60150-ALabel side A

60150-BLabel side B

Full details of this pressing

Canada

July 1982
Label and catalog number
Elektra 96 01501
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

96-01501-ASide A runout, variant 1

96-01501-BSide B runout, variant 1

96-01501-A A/C/N. CRSide A runout, variant 2

96-01501-B CRSide B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

Canada

July 1982
Label and catalog number
Elektra 96 01501
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

96-01501-A A 1 C • N [Cinram stamp]Side A runout

96-01501-B [Cinram stamp]Side B runout

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 26 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s19 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1982EuropeElektra ELK K 52401 / Elektra ELK 52401First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1982GreeceElektra 52401First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1982ItalyElektra ELK K 52401 / Elektra ELK 52401First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1982JapanElektra P-11209 / Elektra 60150First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982JapanElektra P-11209 / Elektra 60150First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1982NetherlandsElektra ELK 52401First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982USElektra 9 60150-1 / Elektra 60150LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
1982USElektra 60150LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing
1982CanadaElektra 96 01501First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982CanadaElektra 96 01501First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1982EuropeElektra ELK K 52 401 / Elektra 60150First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982EuropeElektra ELK K 52 401 / Elektra 60150First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982FranceElektra ELK K 52 401 / Elektra 60150First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982New ZealandElektra 9 60150-1First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1982PortugalElektra ELE 52401First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 19 pressings from the 1980s
2010s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2010USPorterhouse Records PHR-2007LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
2019USFat Possum Records FP1697-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
2019USFat Possum Records FP1697-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl
2020s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2022USFat Possum Records FP-1967-4 / Fat Possum Records FP1697-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl
2023EuropeMusic On Vinyl MOVLP3255LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, NumberedLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered
Year unknown2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?USElektra 9 60150-1 / Elektra 60150LP, Album, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Repress, Stereo
?USElektra 60150LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. A1The Hungry Wolf3:45
  2. A2Motel Room In My Bed2:32
  3. A3Riding With Mary3:40
  4. A4Come Back To Me3:43
  5. A5Under The Big Black Sun3:23
  6. B1Because I Do2:21
  7. B2Blue Spark2:06
  8. B3Dancing With Tears In My Eyes2:20
  9. B4Real Child Of Hell2:59
  10. B5How I (Learned My Lesson)2:12
  11. B6The Have Nots4:44

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Under The Big Black Sun are there?

26 vinyl pressings of Under The Big Black Sun are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1982 and 2023.

When was Under The Big Black Sun first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Canada, Europe, France and more. One of them is Elektra 9 60150-1, released July 1982.

How do I tell if my copy of Under The Big Black Sun is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 60150-1, 96 01501, ELK K 52 401, ELE 52401) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 60150-A-4-SH-AR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16766-A4 Precision SM∙ + SLM △ 1607 and 60150-B-4-SH-AR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-16767-B4 Precision SM∙ + SLM △ 1607-X. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Under The Big Black Sun 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.

More X on vinyl

VinylLens app

What is your copy of Under The Big Black Sun worth?

Point your phone at the label. VinylLens finds the exact pressing in seconds and shows its value for every condition, from Mint to Poor, so you know what your record is really worth.

Scan your records free