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Black Sabbath : Headless Cross A1 / B1 1st press 1989 I.R.S. Records

This very collectable first pressing plays with incredible audio on both sides and as always I have listened to every track in full.  There is just half a second of interference right at the start which I am sure is caused by a pressing fault, there is nothing on the vinyl to suggest otherwise.  It is a loud feedback type sound which obviously is intrusive but at least it's literally on the first note of the opening instrumental.  Aside from that the audio is spectacular!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is stunning and I do not think I have ever heard it play so well.  This album was praised at the time by many critics as being their best since the halcyon days of Ozzy, the tracks are much stronger and with sonic quality such as this you can see why it is so collectable.  Based on this, the near pristine visual 'look' of the vinyl and the zero spindle wear I would not be surprised if it had never been played before.

The cover has been preserved beautifully and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly.  Never seen better.  The lyric inner is also in superb Mint condition.

EIRSA 1002 // A-1U-1-2 / B-1U-1-1 // AUDIO - ONE etched on S1 only

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 G- for the first half a second!)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Mint-

The lyric inner is Mint

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no scratches.  There is just one small faint mark at the beginning of S2 but this has no affect on the audio at all.  When I look under a bright light I cannot locate any hairlines and as stated this record may never have been played before, it is stunning!  The run out grooves are pristine and the IRS labels are unmarked and have no spindle wear.

Play grading

'The Gates Of Hell' plays with stunning clarity apart from the first half second!  For some reason there is a loud feedback / crackle type sound but I cannot see the cause of it on the vinyl so perhaps it's a pressing fault.  Like I say though the rest of the instrumental plays so clearly with only a couple of minor statics at the end.  So G- for that half a second and Mint- from then onwards.

The entire intro on 'Headless Cross' is more or less perfect with just one very quiet static sound on the percussive opening.  Martin's first vocal is 'as new' and it continues to play with phenomenal power and depth and the clarity of sound really stands out also.  Every vocal and instrumental section play with such quality and Mint- is deserved at the very least.  The fade out has no background either.

The intro on 'Devil & Daughter' has no intrusion and then the more you get into this track the more you are impressed by it!  Martin's vocals are as strong as ever and Iommi's work has to be some of his strongest work since the early Ozzy days.  The audio is so powerful and deep and there is literally nothing to detract from the overall sound.  This classic is Mint

The quiet intro on 'When Death Calls' plays beautifully with no background and the first verse is of the same high end standard.  The following chorus is 'as new' and the next quiet passage is just as impressive, the clarity is incredible!  From then on it plays with a sonic quality that is second to none and.  You can turn it up to max without fear of distortion and I cannot emphasise enough hoe well it plays!  Brian May's solo is stunning and the remainder does not disappoint either.  A STUNNING track from the first note to the last and it MINT in every way.

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'Kill In The Spirit World' plays with stunning audio through every section.  The quieter mid sections pays testament to that with no background of any kind.  A Mint start to S2

'Call Of The Wild' is of the same exact standard.  Martin is really stretching his vocal range here (as per usual!) and is still as strong and powerful as ever.  Again there is zero intrusion on the audio and Mint is again deserved.

The intro on 'Black Moon' is perfect as is the opening vocal section.  The chorus is on a par with that and it continues to play with outstanding clarity, power and definition.  Playing like an un-played record this is another track grading as Mint not even a minus is required.

The acoustic intro on 'Nightwing' plays with sublime clarity and the opening vocal has no background either.  The first chorus is undeniably 'as new' and it continues to play with STUNNING quality.  Once again you have to sit back and admire the audio pyrotechnics on offer here!  The audio is so strong and deep and there is not one single negative.  A couple of superb solos from Iommi - a remarkable version and Mint all the way.

In summary this first pressing plays to a very high standard with only that half a second of interference right at the start!  Ignore that and the rest of the album is perfect!  The sonic quality is stunning and the production levels here are so impressive.  It plays loud and true and is so close to a final upgrade.  In conjunction with a superb cover the winning bidder will not be disappointed.

The Cover & Lyric Inner

The cover has been looked after so well and in all honesty you would not be unhappy if you had just bough it brand new from a record shop!  I really cannot fault it.  The edges and spine have no wear and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The corner are so clean but if I had to point out anything, just one mega tiny corner crease in the bottom left corner but that is being super critical!  This is a stunning cover in every regard.

The lyric inner is immaculate with no wear at all.  No marking or creasing it is 'as new'.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

EIRSA 1002 // A-1U-1-2 / B-1U-1-1 // AUDIO - ONE etched on S1 only

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!