Iron Maiden : No Prayer For The Dying A-1 / B-1 1st Press

This first pressing is very possibly the finest example I have ever listened to, the clarity and depth throughout is absolutely stunning.  As always I have played every track in full, sometimes twice, and this qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE album in my opinion.  There are a couple of very light clicks but they are non-intrusive and aside from that there is no static, crackle or pops and barely any dust ticks!  The sonic quality truly is so impressive.

The cover has also been so well looked after with no shelf wear and remains in superb condition as does the lyric inner.  A stunning album in every way.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and they are shown below.  The cost can vary depending on what my estimate of the final sale price will be i.e. if tracking / extra insurance is required.

EMD 1017 // A - 1U / B - 1U

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

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 1 Near Mint)

The cover is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

The lyric inner is Mint-

Visual grading

This is a superb looking first press and still has a lovely glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches although on S1 there is a very small area of fine hairlines but I am pleased to say they have no affect on the amazing audio.  Apart from that the vinyl is near perfect, S2 is visually stunning, and you have to look very closely to find any sleeve removal hairlines.  There are only a very small number and and the run out grooves are also super clean.

Play grading

'Tailgunner' just has one very light click on the intro but otherwise plays perfectly.  As the vocal begins the audio could not be any stronger and it continues to play with sublime quality.  In essence this is as 'clean' and powerful as it was when first released in '90 apart from one millisecond of minor interference!  I will grade as Near Mint accordingly.

'Holy Smoke' goes one better and grades as Mint as there is just no 'background' of any kind.  Just pure 'as new' audio from start to finish.

The 'quieter' intro on 'No Prayer For The Dying' has no interference and the first verse plays with the same exceptional clarity.  This quality does not decrease as you progress into the track and the instrumental mid section is a prime example of that.  In fact the only 'background' are 3/4 light ticks right at the end of the final note, you're practically in the dead wax but will grade as Mint-

'Public Enema Number One' is Mint from the first note to the last.  Stunning power, depth and clarity and a fade out that has no 'background' at all.  Superb!

'Fates Warning' plays beautifully on the melodic intro and as the volume increases the depth of the audio is immense!  Again you can tell this record has only been lightly played because otherwise the audio would not be as 'clean' and unaffected as this.  The playback is outstanding and it continues to in the same way to the very end.  Quiet an apt last line on the final verse considering the current times, 'The worst is yet to come a hell to face mankind'.  Anyway, I digress (!) this is a Mint end to the side that has no inner groove distortion at all.

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The intro on 'The Assassin' just has to be heard to be believed!  It's rare for the opening grooves on any record to play with perfect Mint precision, especially on a record that is nearly 30 years old, and yet that is what we have here.  This continues into the vocal and the only interference on the entire track is one light click during the second verse.  It is easily missed as it is very much in the background and I had to go back to confirm that I had heard 'something else'!  Despite that this is a stunning version and the sonic quality is so impressive, the depth of the audio is exceptional.  Near Mint but Mint for 99% of the track!

The quiet intro on 'Run Silent, Run Deep' has only a handful of barely audible dust ticks and then plays with imperious quality for the remainder.  There is no interference and this easily qualifies as Mint the audio is breathtaking right through to the final note.  What a version!

'Hooks In You' plays with incredible power from the opening groove to the last.  A typical Maiden rocker this has no interference, not even a dust tick, and Mint is more than deserved.

'Bring Your Daughter...To The Slaughter' is of the same 'high end' standard and grades as Mint once more.  Literally nothing intrudes on the quality of the listen and I have never heard a more powerful version than this.

The classic intro on 'Mother Russia' provides further evidence of a record hardly played, the clarity is astounding!  There is not so much as a dust tick and of course this is a relatively quiet intro.  As the volume 'ramps up' and the first verse begins the playback remains 'as new' and it continues to play with a power and definition that just belies its years.  Honestly the sonic quality of the audio here is STUNNING and if you want a final upgrade version then this is the one to own!  The mid instrumental just demands to be played loud and there is no distortion of any kind.  The extended solo is breathtaking and even the quiet ending plays with such a delicate touch with, you guessed it, no 'background' whatsoever.  A truly stunning that ends this fine album with unrivalled Mint quality.

In summary this first pressing deserves FINAL UPGRADE status in my opinion.  Ok there are a couple of minor clicks, one on each side, but they are exactly that - minor and hardly intrusive.  The remainder is of a standard that you so rarely find today, the clarity, power and depth of the audio is incredible, and nowhere is that more obvious than on the classic final track.  It is Mint and then some!  A stunning album that has been so well preserved and that includes the cover and lyric inner also.

The Cover

The cover is in fantastic condition with no obvious wear.  The top edge is perfect and the bottom edge just has a couple of minor rubs and the spine is also in superb order and obviously remains 100% legible.  There is barely any corner wear and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover is in perfect condition and the back cover is almost as good with just one mega tiny crease next to the opening edge.  Hardly noticeable and 99% of sellers would not even mention this!  Overall a superb example of this iconic cover.

The Lyric Inner

The glossy lyric inner is near perfect with no side splits or marking and only a couple of very minor creases.

The Labels

They have no marks or writing and only a little spindle wear.

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

EMD 1017 // A - 1U / B - 1U

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.

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