Black Sabbath : Paranoid 3rd Vertigo Press 1Y2 / 2Y2

This early Vertigo release is commonly known as a third press as it has a small swirl logo on the label and VERTIGO above the spindle hole.  It plays to an incredible standard with no interference whatsoever.  Not one tick, click or pop and no underlying static or crackle either, the clarity is so impressive!  As always I have played every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grading and I'm not sure I have ever heard a better Vertigo swirl pressing.  A FINAL UPGRADE if ever there was one - i.e. no need to buy another pressing as you could not improve on this audio!

The vinyl is visually stunning and has only ever been lightly played judging by the minimal spindle wear.  The laminated cover and swirl inner are also in superb condition.

6360011 1Y // 2 ? 420  1 2 1 1 8

6360011 2Y // 2 ? 420  1 2 8

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The original swirl inner is Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is absolutely immaculate!  It has a jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches and I cannot detect any hairlines either!  It is no exaggeration to say it looks 'as new' it is that impressive.  As stated there is only very minimal spindle wear and whilst I do not like the phrase 'for its age' it is indeed stunning...for its age!  The grooves are so 'clean' so there is obviously no groove wear and the run out grooves are also supremely clean.

Play grading  

From the very first note 'War Pigs' plays with a clarity of sound that you so rarely find on these early Vertigo pressings.  The entire intro is 'as new' with no 'background' even during the very quiet cymbal section.  The first verse also plays with flawless precision and it continues to play with stunning quality as the tempo increases.  The mid section instrumental could not play any better and following 'quiet' section again has no interference of any kind.  The final vocal and Iommi's end section all point to a record that has hardly been played and I confident in grading this classic opening track as Mint such is the quality.

'Paranoid' is of the same 'high end' standard with no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static.  The playback is outstanding and the audio definition is as good as it was when first released.  Once again Mint is fully deserved.

There is no hiding place with 'Planet Caravan' as it is such a quiet track so I am pleased to say the clarity here is so impressive.  The playback is so 'clean' and there is just no intrusion at all.  With only a small number of insignificant dust ticks each note plays with stunning precision.  Even the long fade out plays beautifully.  A breathtaking Mint- version.

The drum beat intro on 'Iron Man' is 'as new' and thereafter plays with stunning depth and precision.  I try hard not to be repetitive but it's difficult when each track plays as well as the previous one!  For a final track it plays with tremendous sonic quality and for once there is no inner groove distortion.  A stunning Mint version to end the side.

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'Electric Funeral' on S2 perfectly demonstrates how infrequently this vinyl has been played and is as good as the audio on S1 in other words!  With no interference it has that typical Sabbath deep foreboding sound - every section plays with imperious quality and fade out demonstrates again just how good the clarity is here.  This grades as Mint you will not be surprised to hear.

The quiet intro on 'Hand Of Doom' is incredibly 'clean' - just one light dust tick but faultless basically.  There are of course so many quiet sections on this classic and yet they all play to the same sublime standard with no 'background' and the louder sections also impress with stunning power and definition.  Once more you cannot help but be amazed at the sonic quality on offer here.  This is as definitive a version as I have ever heard and Mint is richly deserved.  This is precisely why we listen to vinyl!  The warmth and depth of the audio cannot be replicated by any other medium.

'Rat Salad' is nigh on perfect with only a very small number of light dust ticks.  No clicks, pops or static and the clarity is again sensational.  I have never heard the percussive section play with such precision.  Mint

The intro on the classic 'Fairies Wear Boots' is 'as new' and continues in the same way with exceptional clarity and power.  I have played it twice now as it is just so darn good!  The depth of the audio here cannot be underestimated and from the first groove to the last it is as good as it was when first released nearly 50 years ago!  An immaculate Mint version to end this STUNNING album.

In summary this can easily be described as a FINAL UPGRADE early pressing.  The sonic quality is mind-blowing and for both sides to have no interference of any kind is such a rarity.  The clarity and depth of the audio cannot be faulted and there cannot be many third pressings around today that play as well as this.  No distortion either on the final tracks which is again relatively rare.  A fantastic album in every way including the cover!

The Gatefold

So often you will find an immaculate vinyl from this era but then the cover that accompanies it will still have wear from being shifted about so much.  I am pleased to say that this is not the case here and this laminated cover is without doubt one of the finest I have ever seen.  The edges have no rubbing and the spine is in near perfect order also.  There is hardly any corner wear and the opening edge looks more or less untouched with only a couple of minor dings near the top.  The front cover is in lovely condition with just one obvious crease next to the edge of the spine - so often you see a number of creases but not here!  There is just a little 'rippling' of the laminate next to the opening edge but it really is very minor and I only mention it to be 'complete' with my description.  The back cover is in great shape also with just one minor crease near the opening edge and one very small and barely visible scuff near the top edge.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate (how rare is that!) with just one minor spot and has the usual laminate line running along the top edge.  A stunning cover and so close to a Near Mint- grade but I will grade as Ex+ just to be cautious.

The Swirl Inner

The original swirl inner is in superb condition and again it is obvious it has hardly ever seen the light of day!  It has no side splits or tears, no obvious creasing and only a minimal amount of age related fading by the top edge.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are near perfect with no marking, writing or 'spotting' and only minimal spindle wear as stated.

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

6360011 1Y // 2 ? 420  1 2 1 1 8

6360011 2Y // 2 ? 420  1 2 8

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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