Black Sabbath : Dehumanizer A1 / B1 1st Press

This FINAL UPGRADE first pressing on the IRS label plays to a sublime standard with only a couple of minor ticks on the first track.  The clarity and power on both sides is so impressive and this rare album has been so well cared for down the years.

This is a vinyl that has hardly been played, the audio is immaculate, and the cover and lyric inner are also in superb 'as new' condition.

There never was a first pressing produced in the UK.  EMI/IRS in 1992 outsourced their vinyl to various plants in Europe and this one was manufactured in Germany.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and these are shown below.  Please could you wait before making payment so I can calculate the exact cost.

I.R.S. Records // BIEM/GEMA // 7131551 // A1 / B1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (Track 1 Near Mint+)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Mint-

The lyric inner is Mint

The labels are Mint-

Play grading  

'Computer God' begins perfectly with no 'background' on the intro and it continues to play superbly.  There are two faint ticks on the second verse but they are non-intrusive and from then on it plays 'as new'.  The quiet mid section plays beautifully with no interference and to the end it 'rocks out' loud and true with great power and depth.  A stunning Near Mint+ start.

There is complete silence in the dead wax prior to the next track and the quiet intro on 'After All (The Dead)' has not even a single dust tick.  Pure Mint audio!  I am pleased to say the remainder is of the same 'high end' standard I cannot praise it highly enough.  Mint from start to finish and that includes the fade out.

Both 'TV Crimes' and 'Letters From Earth' can be graded as Mint as they have literally no interference.  I listen to every track in full and the lack of distortion is very impressive especially for 90s vinyl!  They can be played at full volume without losing any original sonic quality.

'Master Of Insanity' ends the side with super charged audio once more...and no interference.  There is no inner groove distortion and it sounds as good as it did when first released 28 years ago.  Stunning.

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'Time Machine' on S2 plays with astounding power and depth all the way through.  There is no 'background' to be heard and you would be mistaken for thinking this record was brand new!  A full on Mint start to the side.

'Sins Of The Father' is of the same standard and the clarity and definition of the music cannot be faulted.  You know the grade by now and again the fade out has no 'background'.

The quiet intro on 'Too Late' plays as nature intended!  All you can hear is the music, there is not even a single dust tick.  The first two verses play with sublime precision as does the first chorus.  As the volume increases there is no decrease in quality and it progresses in the exact way.  The final quiet section is just as 'clean' as the intro and to the end it plays flawlessly and Mint is easily deserved.

The super quiet intro on 'I' again pays testament to how well this vinyl has been preserved and how little it has been played.  It continues to plays 'as new' and the very quiet mid section has no interference either.  The remainder is more than equal to this and yet again we have another Mint track :-)

'Buried Alive' ends the album in fine style with all powerful audio that doesn't get any heavier!  I repeat it is so rare for any final track to have no distortion and this is especially true of 90s vinyl which wasn't manufactured to the highest of specification shall we say.  However, this is a sublime version that stays true to its original quality and from beginning to end there is no interference to be heard.  It plays with outstanding power and clarity and provides a breathtaking Mint end (literally!) to this rare LP.

In summary this rare FINAL UPGRADE first pressing plays with supreme power and clarity on both sides.  There are not that many quiet sections and yet they all play with impeccable quality and the sonic quality throughout cannot be underestimated.  This is not an easy album to find today and especially in this condition!

Visual grading

To all intents and purposes this vinyl is still 'as new'.  It is in beautiful condition and has hardly been played judging by the audio quality and the lack of spindle wear, just a couple of faint traces.  It has an immaculate glossy sheen and has no marks or scratches and only a handful of mega faint hairlines.  It is visually stunning to say the least and the run out grooves are also in perfect condition.  What a find!

The Cover

The cover is in superb condition with no real wear.  The edges and spine have no rubbing, there is barely any corner wear and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover is incredibly clean with no marking other than a couple of faint scratch lines that you can only see when you hold it at a certain angle and the back cover is even better!  A stunning cover that would not look out of place in a record shop!

The Lyric Inner

The lyric inner has no marking or side splits which is impressive when you consider it is made of paper!  It is in pristine condition.

The Labels

The labels are in superb order with no marking or writing and only a couple of faint spindle traces on S1 and just one barely visible tiny one on S2.  Stunning examples!

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

I.R.S. Records // BIEM/GEMA // 7131551 // A1 / B1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!