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Data as of Jun 16, 2026
Metallica – Kill 'Em All
1983 · US · Megaforce Records · Vinyl LP Album
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Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- MRI 069 AMRI-069-A STERLING A-1 ↔MRI-069-A STERLING A- ↔
- Runout — side B
- MRI 069 BMRI-069-B STERLING A-1 ↔MRI-069-B STERLING A- ↔
- Rights society
- ASCAP
- Manufactured By
- Megaforce Records, Inc.
- Recorded At
- Music America Studios, Rochester
- Mixed At
- Music America Studios, Rochester
- Lacquer Cut At
- Sterling Sound
- Pressed By
- Hauppauge Record Manufacturing Ltd.
Specifications
- Artist
- Metallica
- Genre
- Rock
- Style
- Thrash, Speed Metal
- Year
- 1983
- Label
- Megaforce Records
- Catalog number
- MRI 069
- Country
- US
Tracklist
- A1Hit The Lights4:17
- A2The Four Horsemen7:08
- A3Motorbreath3:03
- A4Jump In The Fire4:50
- A5(Anesthesia)-Pulling Teeth3:27
- A6Whiplash4:06
- B1Phantom Lord4:52
- B2No Remorse6:24
- B3Seek & Destroy6:50
- B4Metal Militia6:06
- Executive-Producer
- Jon Zazula
- Producer
- Paul Curcio
- Mastered By [Mastering Engineer]
- Jack Skinner
- Engineer
- Chris Bubacz
- Engineer [Assistant]
- Andy Wroblewski
- Written-By
- Metallica
About this record
The Sterling pressing plant matrix codes MRI-069-A STERLING A-1 and MRI-069-B STERLING A-1 identify first pressings of this 1983 Megaforce Records debut, catalogue MRI 069. Community demand sits nearly even—6823 want against 6977 who own one—making condition the primary value driver across the 10-track album.
What drives its value
The price spread between grades reflects how tightly first pressings are held. Demand nearly matches supply (6823 want, 6977 have), which keeps even played copies in circulation.
The Sterling plant pressing is the original manufacturing source; later Hauppauge pressings command less. The 690 community ratings averaging 4.52 signal strong collector interest, but scarcity is relative—this is Metallica's debut and remains widely owned.
Condition separates a Mint copy from VG substantially in market value. The absence of a barcode on original pressings is a verification point; reissues and later variants carry them.
Catalogue MRI 069 with the specific Sterling runout string confirms the first pressing, which holds premium value over subsequent plant variants.
How to appraise this pressing
Verify the pressing plant by examining the dead-wax runout: Sterling pressings read MRI-069-A STERLING A-1 on side one and MRI-069-B STERLING A-1 on side two. The label must read Megaforce Records with catalogue MRI 069.
Original copies lack a barcode on the back cover. The inner sleeve is printed in black and white, with lyrics and credits on one side and band photography on the reverse.
The copyright line reads © MegaForce Records Inc. ASCAP with ℗ Metallus Maximus Productions. Recorded and mixed at Music America Recording Studio in May 1983, per the label text.
The runout also credits "Bang that head that doesn't bang" R. Burch '83.
Hauppauge Record Manufacturing Ltd. pressings exist but are later variants; confirm Sterling to establish first-pressing status.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
Initial copies included a B&W printed inner sleeve with lyrics and credits on one side, band photos on the other.
© MegaForce Records Inc. ASCAP ℗ Metallus Maximus Productions Manufactured by Megaforce Records Inc Important Record Distributors, Inc Recorded & mixed at Music America Recording Studio, May 1983
"Bang that head that doesn't bang" R. Burch '83
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
How do I confirm this is a Sterling pressing and not a later Hauppauge variant?
Examine the dead-wax runout on both sides of the record. Sterling pressings read MRI-069-A STERLING A-1 and MRI-069-B STERLING A-1. Hauppauge pressings omit the STERLING designation. The catalogue number MRI 069 appears on both, so the runout string is the definitive marker.
Why is demand so close to supply on this record?
Community data shows 6823 collectors want it against 6977 who own one. This near-parity reflects that Kill 'Em All is Metallica's debut and remains widely collected, unlike deeper catalog entries. The 690 ratings at 4.52 average indicate sustained interest, but the record is not scarce enough to create severe supply pressure.
What should I look for on the original 1983 pressing?
The original Megaforce Records pressing, catalogue MRI 069, includes a black-and-white printed inner sleeve with lyrics and credits on one side and band photos on the reverse. There is no barcode. The label credits Metallus Maximus Productions and notes recording and mixing at Music America Recording Studio in May 1983. The runout includes the attribution "Bang that head that doesn't bang" R. Burch '83.
Does the absence of a barcode matter for value?
Yes. Original 1983 Megaforce pressings lack a barcode, which is a verification point for first pressings. Later reissues and variants carry barcodes. The barcode absence, combined with the Sterling plant runout and MRI 069 catalogue number, confirms originality and supports premium pricing.
Are there multiple pressings of this album?
Yes. The original 1983 pressing was manufactured by both Megaforce Records, Inc. and Hauppauge Record Manufacturing Ltd., as noted in the release information. The Sterling plant runout (MRI-069-A STERLING A-1 / MRI-069-B STERLING A-1) identifies the Hauppauge-manufactured first pressing. Subsequent reissues exist on other labels and plants, all commanding lower value than the original Megaforce catalogue MRI 069.