Folder 230
Europe
Optimal Media mirror ring (AB50313-01, L574, mould 9744) instead of the EMI Swindon '496918 0 . 3' rings of the 1998 European and UK pressings.
What the record says
Every line below was read off a native-resolution crop of the photograph named beside it.
Mirror ring photographed close up under raking light, four frames: AB50313-01 with IFPI 9744 beneath it (IMG_4695, IMG_4696), manufactured by optimal media production (IMG_4697), ifpi L574 on a pale panel (IMG_4698), and 4969180 (IMG_4699). The frames are separate, so the order of the parts round the ring is not shown.
4969180 AB50313-01 manufactured by optimal media production — this copy's ring IS Variants 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 — the only one Discogs records.
Barcode and Other Identifiers: Matrix / Runout
As Discogs records them for release 4323377. Green: in my collection (1 of 1). Red: missing.
Run-out: this copy matches variants 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 9 on every side Discogs lists for them.
| ✓ | Matrix / Runout (Variants 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9) | 4969180 AB50313-01 manufactured by optimal media production — this copy |
Every line of small print, and the photograph it came from — 8 of them
Front: enhanced CD logo on spine, round sticker 'SPECIAL MULTIMEDIA CD FEATURES FULL-LENGTH VIDEOS, EXCLUSIVE BAND BIOGRAPHIES, PHOTO GALLERIES, INTERNET LINKS AND MUCH MORE...'
IMG_4687.jpeg
Tray card: barcode '7243 4 96918 0 3', 'UK: 496 9180', 'F: PM 520', 'Printed in E.U.', 'Place of manufacture as stated on label', 'Marketed and Distributed by EMI', EMI logo, 'Digitally remastered', '1998 EMI Records Ltd.'
IMG_4688.jpeg, IMG_4689.jpeg
Booklet back carries '7243 4 96918 0 3'
IMG_4690.jpeg
Picture disc face: EMI logo, 'bel BIEM', 'STEREO', '7243 4 96918 0 3', '(P) 1998 THE COPYRIGHT IN THIS SOUND RECORDING IS OWNED BY EMI RECORDS LTD', 'LC 0542. MADE IN E.U.'
IMG_4693.jpeg, IMG_4694.jpeg
Mirror ring: 'AB50313-01' and mould SID 'IFPI 9744'
IMG_4695.jpeg, IMG_4696.jpeg
Mirror ring: 'manufactured by optimal media production'
IMG_4697.jpeg
Mirror ring: mastering SID 'ifpi L574'
IMG_4698.jpeg
Mirror ring: '4969180'
IMG_4699.jpeg
The photographs
IMG_4687.jpg1 of 12READ FROM
The object, and what marks it out
Sleeve, labels and inserts
- Standard jewel case with clear tray; inlay artwork of Eddie and the devil visible under the tray.
- Full-colour picture disc of the front cover art.
- Booklet back is a live collage; front sticker advertises the multimedia section.
What distinguishes this pressing
- Optimal Media mirror ring (AB50313-01, L574, mould 9744) instead of the EMI Swindon '496918 0 . 3' rings of the 1998 European and UK pressings.
- EMI logo on disc and tray, against Parlophone on the 2014 Optimal pressing 6907606.
Eight tracks, and the recording credits
Tracks 1-4
- 1Invaders
- 2Children Of The Damned
- 3The Prisoner
- 422, Acacia Avenue
Tracks 5-8
- 5The Number Of The Beast
- 6Run To The Hills
- 7Gangland
- 8Hallowed Be Thy Name
Bruce Dickinson - vocals · Dave Murray - guitar · Adrian Smith - guitar · Steve Harris - bass · Clive Burr - drums.
Produced and engineered by Martin Birch, assisted by Nigel Green. Recorded at Battery Studios, London; lacquer cut by Nick Webb. Sleeve illustration by Derek Riggs; artwork by Cream. Inner-sleeve photography by Andre Csillag, P.G. Brunelli, Robert Ellis, Ross Halfin and Toshi Yajima; sleeve photography by Simon Fowler; photo montage by Ian Kay. Management by Rod Smallwood for Sanctuary Music. Published by Zomba Music Publishers Ltd. Phonographic copyright and copyright EMI Records Ltd.
Personnel, production and artwork credits are sourced from Discogs release 1466299, the UK original (EMI EMC 3400, 1982) and this master's main release, and apply to the recording rather than to this pressing. Where this copy's own packaging carries the producer, publisher or copyright lines, they are quoted in the evidence above.
Condition, from the photographs
A photograph cannot grade a record - this is a description of what is visible, not a grade.
- Case/inlay: general handling wear with some edge and corner softening; no cracks or splits visible in these shots.
- Disc: light surface marks and handling sheen catch the light. No visible deep scratches or disc-face damage in these photographs.
Nothing on this page comes from playing the record. No Goldmine grade is claimed for it, or any other. I have no record of where this copy came from.
What is settled, and what is not
Settled by the mirror ring: L574 with mould IFPI 9744 and the 'optimal media production' wording is 4323377 Variant 9 on Discogs.