BEFORE THEY WERE CELTIC FROST, THEY WERE HELLHAMMER
FIRST ISSUE - FIRST 1000 - RARE AS ROCKING HORSE POOP.

This is a genuine original 1984 first 1000 first pressing of Hellhammer's ultra rare "Apocalyptic Raids" EP on Silver Noise label

Catalog number -  N008 - 1984 cover opens from top

This one Is the MOST WANTED edition! The First ever 1000
copies OPENS from the TOP.
Old metal heads must know that they were 3 / 4 Noise / Noise International pressing of this vinyl!
The first ever pressing that vinyl comes out from the top,not on the right!

Vinyl Run-out Matrix #  (etched) STN-008  FIRST ISSUE MATRIX NUMBER

There is a lot of conflicting information on these pressings, causing much confusion, so let me explain the issue, and why.

The first 1000 pressings of the EP had a pink band logo a silver label, and The cover opens from the top, not the side.
These are the first 1000 Hellhammer - Apocalyptic Raids records ever released. No inner sleeve issued with it)
The rest of this issue were in covers that opened from the side, and on black Noise labels.
Both share these same matrix numbers in the run-out groove.

Matrix Runout (A): ST N 008-A
Matrix Runout (B): ST N 008-B
Rights Society: GEMA
Label Code: LC 9066

This run-out matrix number, and label code is exactly the same as the first issue on Black Noise N008 labels (some people refer to them as second issues, but the matrix number says they are a continuation of the first issue)

The key is the first issue matrix number.
This first issue has two different labels and two different covers, but only one Matrix number. The reason maybe for limitation to identify the first 1000 or just a mistake with the cover, or a combination of both.

The fact that the opening is at the top of the sleeve, not the side reveals a fundamental mistake by the manufacturers, and I doubt that it was deliberate.
This is because having the opening at the top is a big no no with vinyl records, as it acts like a dust collector for your vinyl, and this was a mistake that was made in the first pressing run, and then fixed when it became an issue...
Many people would have pointed it out as a mistake, and the audiophile vinyl gestapo would have been onto this, even back then.

They would never redesign just the cover opening for a later issue -  then deliberately redesign it fundamentally wrong - and then revert to a side opening for the next issues.
This is the sort of mistake that is made without deep thought, at the start of the print, and then rectified.
You would never deliberately change to this format, because you would look like an idiot.

The 2nd pressing has a pink band logo and black labels, lyric sheet not included. Noise sleeve. Opens from the side ( these are really first issues too, same mother and matrix number in the run-out)
The 3rd pressing has a dark, red band logo and black labels, with insert. Opens from the side (many of these being sold as first press)
The 4th pressing has red logo and silver labels. Opens from the side
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My descriptions are a warts and all description, and due to this, the descriptions are only describing the negative aspects of the record.
A mint record description needs just one word... Mint ... all other descriptions are describing the negative variances from a "Mint" record, so please understand that these descriptions are a critical analysis to ensure the buyer has no unexpected surprises when the record arrives.
My descriptions are accurate and honest descriptions of the negative aspects of the record.

All Gradings I give are harsh, but safe. I Never use the grading of "MINT" unless it is sealed AND perfect.
"NEAR MINT" is only used if it is unsealed AND perfect.
Both mint  and near mint gradings are describing "as new" items and are descriptions that are often abused on eBay.

The A side Vinyl (VG)    Light surface marks, good lustre, strong and clean sound, with very little unwanted noise, has "ST Jack" etched into the run-out area

The B side Vinyl (VG+)    Light surface marks, good lustre, strong and clean sound, with very little unwanted noise,

The labels (EX+) both are close to perfect

The cover (G+) Minor record impression, but no ring-wear and no  missing ink from the surface. Light crease bottom left corner, scuffing to corners and edges. Original price tag ($14.95) top right (1984 1st West German pressing, Imported into Australia)
The price tag still attached, but can be removed easily, as I have done to the ones I am keeping.
I leave the price tag on, because some people like them, and it is easier to remove, than stick back on!


The inner sleeve / lyric sheet   None

All records come with a half round inner poly record sleeve, (whether it was issued with one or not). I store my vinyl records separate from their covers and inner sleeves.
If a paper inner sleeve is what was originally used, it will come with both the paper and poly inner sleeves)
All record covers come in a clear plastic or PVC outer sleeve cover.

See my other listings for some of the rarest Metal vinyl records on eBay, with some more still to come from Darkthrone, Poison, Sadistik Exekution, Celtic Frost, Carcass (signed) , Hobbs (signed), Death Angel, Venom, Kreator, Benediction, Slayer, Bathory, and more.

Hellhammer  ?– Apocalyptic Raids

Tracklist Hide Credits

Companies etc

• Distributed By – Boots-Vertrieb – 50-1668
• Recorded At – Caet Studio
• Mixed At – Caet Studio
• Mastered At – Studio-Nord-Bremen

Credits

• Artwork [Frontcover Drawing - The Sitting Death] – Thomas Fischer*
• Artwork [Heptagram] – M. Jeckyl*
• Bass [Deadly Bassdose], Backing Vocals [Backing Howling] – Martin Ain*
• Design [Cover] – Th. Fischer*
• Drums [Hellish Crossfire On Wooden Coffins] – Bruce Day
• Engineer – Horst Mueller*
• Guitar [V-axe Holocaust], Vocals [Dambuster Vocals] – Tom Warrior*
• Mastered By – SNB
• Photography By [Pix] – Burzelbär
• Producer – Martin Ain*, Tom Warrior*
• Written-By – M. Ain* (tracks: B2), T. Warrior*

Notes

• Matrix / Runout (Side A): ST N 008-A
• Matrix / Runout (Side B): ST N 008-B
• Rights Society: GEMA
• Label Code: LC 9066

Due to eBay increasing charges, and now taking a slice of postage costs, all items of fixed price, and all reserve prices on auctions has to be increased.
eBay cannot expect inflationary pressures such as these to not effect the sales price of listed items, and I suggest to everyone to complain to eBay about this grab for cash from a service that is based on software.
This is a change inspired by greed.
instead of 9% of the sales price, eBay are now going to slug us all 10% of the total price including postage... this is a massive inflationary pressure, that offers no value to you or me.

I would like to hear from anyone with similar thoughts on this matter, and launch some sort of campaign or petition against these thieves.
I would suggest ALL sellers put a notice like this in their listings