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The Karelian Isthmus

CD releases

Relapse Records, promo

    - barcode: none

    - matrix: AMERICAN HELIX ✳CD03307✳ 6045-2 DTI#117283-D1-2189-1

    - SID codes: none 

    - 11 songs

    - ©&℗ 1992 / Copyright 1992 Relapse Records

    - black printed CD made in the U.S.A., comes only with printed black and white front cover in standard jewel case (have seen copies that come in clear plastic sleeve as well)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relapse Records, RED 6045-2

    - barcode, as printed: 7 27361 60452 3

    - matrix: "MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN HELIX" ✳CD3307✳ W.O.# E35755-2 6045-2

    - SID codes: none 

    - 11 songs

    - ©&℗ 1992 / ℗ & © 1992 RELAPSE RECORDS

    - black printed CD made in the U.S.A., "PURVEYORS OF FINE GRIND" printed on the back cover paper along with big Relapse Records logo and black and 

      white picturefolding booklet, booklet and back cover paper printed in Canada

    - probably the first US edition or a repress of it

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relapse Records, RR 6045, reissue

    - barcode, as printed: 7 81676 60452 4

    - matrix: DISC MFG., INC. IFPI L801 W.O.# 107788-2 S.O. 6045-2

    - SID codes: IFPI L801, IFPI 2F45

    - glass mastered and pressed by Disc Manufacturing Inc in US 

    - 11 songs

    - ℗ & © 1992 RELAPSE RECORDS

    - black and white picture printed on the CD, "THE KARELIAN ISTHMUS" printed on the back cover paper, no picture on the inside of the back cover paper, folding    

       booklet

    - reissue or repress (or both) probably from the mid 90s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relapse Records, RR 6553-2, reissue

    - barcode, as printed: 7 81676 65532 8

    - matrix: 48800AM-02 RLP-6553 022610-03

    - SID codes: none

    - 17 songs

    - ℗&© 2003 Relapse Records, Inc.

    - coloured picture printed on the CD, "THE KARELIAN ISTHMUS" printed on the back cover paper, coloured picture printed on the inside of the back cover paper,

      folding booklet

    - reissue from the 20s with Privilege Of Evil EP, this reissue was originally released in 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuclear Blast, NB 072 CD / NB 072CD / SPV 84-140232, metallic/non-transparent center hole area

    - barcode, as printed: 7 27361 60452 3

    - matrix: GZ E10504 NB 072

    - SID codes: none

    - glass mastered in 1993 and pressed by GZ in 1993-1995 

    - 11 songs

    - ℗ & © 1993

    - black printed CD with golden letters, metallic/non-transparent center area on CD, folding booklet, no EastWest Records GmbH logo on the back cover, NB 072 CD

      and SPV 84-140232 printedon the spine + NB 072CD on the CD, some copies have SPV special price sticker on the jewel case

    - probably the first European CD edition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuclear Blast, NB 072 CD / NB 072CD / SPV 84-140232, clear/transparent center hole area

    - barcode, as printed: 7 27361 60452 3

    - matrix: GZ E10504 NB 072 23

    - SID codes: none

    - glass mastered in 1993 and pressed by GZ in 1993-1995 

    - 11 songs

    - ℗ & © 1993

    - black printed CD with golden letters, clear/transparent center area on CD, folding booklet, no EastWest Records GmbH logo on the back cover, NB 072 CD and 

      SPV 84-140232 printedon the spine + NB 072CD on the CD 

    - probably an early European repress of this CD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuclear Blast, NB 072-2 / 27361 60452, reissue 

    - barcode, as printed: 7 27361 60452 3

    - matrix: NB 072-2 [ K 44293 A ]

    - SID codes: none

    - pressed in Germany by Pilz Compact Disc in 1994

    - 11 songs

    - ℗ & © 1993

    - black printed CD with golden letters, transparent center area on CD, folding booklet, EastWest Records GmbH logo on the back cover, both cat#s given on the spine

    - most likely an early European reissue or repress from the Tales era

Vinyl releases 

Nuclear Blast, NB 072, green transparent vinyl

    - BARCODE, as printed on the back cover: 7 27361 60451 6

    - RUNOUTS: side A, full runouts, stamped: MZE 0075/A  5   

                          side B. full runouts, stamped: MZE 0076/B  3

    - NUMBER OF SONGS: 10 (6/4)

    - VINYL: pressed by GZ in late 1992 or early 1993 based on the runouts

    - CENTER LABELS: matt-surfaced black labels with white text, 

                                    ℗ & © 1993,

                                    NB 072, GEMA

    - COVER: simple cardboard cover,

                    ℗ & © 1993,

                    LICENSED FROM RELAPSE RECORDS,

                    DISTRIBUTION SPV (0511 87090), LP 08 - 140231, CD 84 - 140232, MC 08 - 140234, 

                    NUCLEAR BLAST 

                    MITTELMUHLGASSE 1 • 7322 DONZDORF • GERMANY

                    TEL: (49) 71 62 / 2 19 57 •FAX (49) 71 62 / 2 45 54,

                    NB 072, LC 7027

    - INNERSLEEVE: white polylined paper innersleeve, die-cut from both sides to show the center labels (not the original innersleeve)

    - RELEASED: Made in late 1992 or in early 1993 based on the runouts and band history, most likely released in early 1993.

                          Originally released in 1992. 

    - OTHER: Supposedly limited to 3500 copies (way too much IMHO, 1500 would seem more realistic).

    - NOTE 1: Even though the runouts are mostly identical in this and the picture disc edition these two editions are clearly of different cut:

                     this one has 6 tracks on side A and only 4 tracks on side B while the picture disc edition has 5 tracks on both sides.

                     That also means these two releases were highly likely not released at the same time.

    - NOTE 2: The sound quality is very good and the pressing quality is the best one I've yet seen on any edition of this album.

                     Taking into account everything this is the best edition yet made of this album.

                     The picture vinyl sounds softer and a lot less accurate than this one. The Finland edition has weird and smooth sounding cut and a lot worse pressing quality.

                     The 2018 GZ pressings just are too far away from this one and they are cut from a remaster. 

                     It's pretty much a coinflip for me between this and the weird and smooth sounding Finland edition. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nuclear Blast, picture disc   

    - BARCODE: none

    - RUNOUTS: side A, full runouts, stamped: MZE 0075/B  3   

                          side B, full runouts, stamped: MZE 0076/C  3

    - NUMBER OF SONGS: 10 (5/5)

    - VINYL: pressed by GZ in late 1992 or early 1993 based on the runouts,

                   NUCLEAR BLAST

                   Hauptstr.109, 73072

                   Donzdorf - Germany

                   Tel: (49) 7162-9280-26

                   Fax: (49) 7162-24554

    - COVER: standard die-cut Nuclear Blast picture-disc series cardboard sleeve (nowadays rarely seen with the original cardboard sleeve)

    - INNERSLEEVE: transparent plastic innersleeve (may be the original innersleeve)

    - RELEASED: Made in late 1992 or in early 1993 based on the runouts and band history though there are people claiming this wasn't released until 1995.

                          Originally released in 1992. 

    - OTHER: There is no printed catalogue number anywhere on this release.

                    Supposedly limited to 1000 copies (unconfirmed from official or reliable sources).

    - NOTE 1: Even though the runouts are mostly identical in this and the green vinyl edition these two editions are clearly of different cut:

                     This one has 5 tracks on both side while the green vinyl edition has 6 tracks on side A and only 4 tracks on side B.

                     That also means these two releases were highly likely not released at the same time.

    - NOTE 2: This is just a picture disc and therefore the sound quality is not the best possible, in addition all my copies are heavily warped.

                     The original green vinyl right above has a lot more detailed sound quality and significantly better pressing quality.  

    - NOTE 3: The release date and the missing cat# have caused much confusion. Hauptstr. 109 is a later address for Nuclear Blast than Mittelmühlgasse 1 which means

                      this was released after the green vinyl edition (source: http://www.genios.de/firmen/firma/NU/nuclear-blast-tontr-ger-produktions--und-vertriebs-gmbh.html). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relapse Records, RR6553, two clear vinyl, reissue

    - BARCODE, as printed on the back cover: 7 81676 65531 1

    - RUNOUTS: side A, full runouts, etched: RR6553-1 A  RS-76398  Recordpressing.com

                          side B, full runouts, etched: RR6553-1 B  RS-76399  Recordpressing.com

                          side C, full runouts, etched: RR6553-1 C  RS-76400  Recordpressing.com

                          side D, full runouts, etched: RR6553-1 D  RS-76401  Recordpressing.com

    - NUMBER OF SONGS: 17 (5/4+4/4)

    - VINYL: pressed by Rainbo in the US for Recordpressing.com

    - CENTER LABELS: picture labels without tracklist

    - COVER: gatefold cover,

                    ℗&©2003, 2011 Relapse Records Inc

                    Relapse Records Inc, P.O. Box 2060, Upper Darby, PA 19082 U.S.A. | Relapse Records Europe, P.O. Box 6818 5975 ZG Sevenum The Netherlands

    - INNERSLEEVES: white paper innersleeves, die-cut to show the center labels and all corners rounded (the original innersleeves) 

    - RELEASED: Reissue made in 2011 based on the runouts, most likely also released in 2011.

                          Originally released in 1992. 

    - OTHER: Supposedly limited to 100 copies and given only to the band and to the Relapse Records employees.

    - NOTE: The vinyl is truly almost clear like a glass, not yellowish clear like the clear vinyl of Pallas and not higly milky clear like the clear vinyl of Optimal Media and GZ.

Relapse Records, RR6553,  one white marbled and one blue marbled vinyl, limited Finland edition, reissue

    - BARCODE, as printed on the back cover: 7 81676 65531 1

    - RUNOUTS: side A, full runouts, etched: RR6553-1 A  RS-76398  Recordpressing.com

                          side B, full runouts, etched: RR6553-1 B  RS-76399  Recordpressing.com

                          side C, full runouts, etched: RR6553-1 C  RS-76400  Recordpressing.com

                          side D, full runouts, etched: RR6553-1 D  RS-76401  Recordpressing.com

    - NUMBER OF SONGS: 17 (5/4+4/4)

    - VINYL: pressed by Rainbo in the US for Recordpressing.com

    - CENTER LABELS: picture labels without tracklist

    - COVER: gatefold cover,

                    ℗&©2003, 2011 Relapse Records Inc

                    Relapse Records Inc, P.O. Box 2060, Upper Darby, PA 19082 U.S.A. | Relapse Records Europe, P.O. Box 6818 5975 ZG Sevenum The Netherlands

    - INNERSLEEVES: white paper innersleeves, die-cut to show the center labels and all corners rounded (the original innersleeves) 

    - RELEASED: Reissue made in 2011 based on the runouts, also released in 2011.

                          Originally released in 1992. 

    - OTHER: Supposedly limited to 1003 copies.

                    Originally not released sealed, comes in thin clear plastic sleeve with sticker on it. Text on the sticker: "LIMITED FINLAND EDITION COLORED VINYL!"

    - NOTE: This release raises mixed feelings in me. On the other hand the pressing quality is poor as all the copies I've seen are more or less warped or pressed off-center

                  but on the other hand this one has the best quality cut of all the editions of this album although there's something in the mix/master used to cut these records

                  I don't like (perhaps this was cut from a digital remaster). In addition this one has the most accurate sound quality of all the editions yet made and is easy to ears

                  while the original green vinyl edition is quite harsh to ears. Also, you can clearly hear the the difference in the sound quality of white and blue vinyl. 

Relapse Records, RR7413, black vinyl, reissue

    - BARCODE, as printed on the back cover: 7 81676 74131 1

    - RUNOUTS: side A, full runouts, stamped: RELAPSE RECORDS - RR7413-1 A  173483E1/A

                          side B, full runotus, stamped: RELAPSE RECORDS - RR7413-1 B  173483E2/A

    - NUMBER OF SONGS: 11 (6/5)

    - VINYL: pressed by GZ

    - CENTER LABELS: picture labels without tracklist

    - COVER: simple cardboard cover,

                    Relapse.com ℗&©1992, 2011, 2018 Relapse Records Inc, P.O. Box 2060, Upper Darby, PA, 19082 U.S.A. Made in EU

    - INNERSLEEVE: white paper innersleeve, die-cut to show the center labels and all corners clipped (the original innersleeve)

    - RELEASED: Reissue released on 20th of July 2018 (source: Nuclear Blast webshop and Napalm Records webshop). 

                          Originally released in 1992. 

    - OTHER: Originally not released sealed. Comes in clear plastic sleeve. Includes lyrics insert and a digital download code card. 

    - NOTE The pressing quality might be better as all my copies are warped.

                 In addition the original green vinyl and Finland edition have better cuts and therefore sound better.

                 This was definitely cut from a remaster as there is significantly more bass than in the green vinyl edition. 

Relapse Records, RR7413 / LP3940R, blood red vinyl, reissue, limited to 300 copies

    - BARCODE, as printed on the back cover: 7 81676 74131 1

    - BARCODE, as printed on the sticker on the clear plastic sleeve: 7 81676 39401 2

    - RUNOUTS: side A, full runouts, stamped: RELAPSE RECORDS - RR7413-1 A  173483E1/A

                          side B, full runotus, stamped: RELAPSE RECORDS - RR7413-1 B  173483E2/A

    - NUMBER OF SONGS: 11 (6/5)

    - VINYL: pressed by GZ

    - CENTER LABELS: picture labels without tracklist

    - COVER: simple cardboard cover,

                    Relapse.com ℗&©1992, 2011, 2018 Relapse Records Inc, P.O. Box 2060, Upper Darby, PA, 19082 U.S.A. Made in EU

    - INNERSLEEVE: white paper innersleeve, die-cut to show the center labels and all corners clipped (the original innersleeve)

    - RELEASED: Reissue released on 20th of July 2018 (source: Nuclear Blast webshop). 

                          Originally released in 1992. 

    - OTHER: Originally not released sealed. Comes in clear plastic sleeve with two stickers (infosticker on the front and barcode sticker on the back).

                    Cat# LP3940R is printed only on the infosticker on the front cover. 

                    Includes lyrics insert and a digital download code card. 

    - NOTE The pressing quality might be better as all my copies are warped.

                 In addition the original green vinyl and Finland edition have better cuts and therefore sound better. 

                 This one clearly sounds worse ie less accurate than the black vinyl right above.

Relapse Records, RR7413 / LP3942R, kelly green vinyl, reissue, limited to 300 copies

    - BARCODE, as printed on the back cover: 7 81676 74131 1

    - BARCODE, as printed on the sticker on the clear plastic sleeve: 7 81676 39421 0

    - RUNOUTS: side A, full runouts, stamped: RELAPSE RECORDS - RR7413-1 A  173483E1/A

                          side B, full runotus, stamped: RELAPSE RECORDS - RR7413-1 B  173483E2/A

    - NUMBER OF SONGS: 11 (6/5)

    - VINYL: pressed by GZ

    - CENTER LABELS: picture labels without tracklist

    - COVER: simple cardboard cover,

                    Relapse.com ℗&©1992, 2011, 2018 Relapse Records Inc, P.O. Box 2060, Upper Darby, PA, 19082 U.S.A. Made in EU

    - INNERSLEEVE: white paper innersleeve, die-cut to show the center labels and all corners clipped (the original innersleeve)

    - RELEASED: Reissue released on 20th of July 2018 (source: Nuclear Blast webshop). 

                          Originally released in 1992. 

    - OTHER: Originally not released sealed. Comes in clear plastic sleeve with two stickers (infosticker on the front and barcode sticker on the back).

                    Cat# LP3942R is printed only on the infosticker on the front cover. 

                    Includes lyrics insert and a digital download code card. 

    - NOTE The pressing quality might be better as all my copies are warped.

                 In addition the original green vinyl and Finland edition have better cuts and therefore sound better. 

                 This one clearly sounds worse ie less accurate than the black vinyl above.

Amorphis - The Karelian Isthmus picture disc front
Amorphis - The Karelian Isthmus picture disc back
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