Rare VINYL record Labels and their companies

These are some of the manufacturing plant codes used by the ATCO and can be helpful to determine the origin of records

The codes are:
AR = Allied Records, Los Angeles, CA
CP = Columbia Record Productions, Pitman, NJ CT = Columbia Record Productions, Terre Haute, IN LY = Shelly Products, Huntington Station, NY MO = Monarch Records, Los Angeles, CA PL = Plastic Products, Memphis, TN PR = Presswell Records, Ancora, NJ RI = Philips Recording Corp. (formerly Richmond Record Pressing and Mercury Record Manufacturing Company), Richmond, IN SP = Specialty Records, Olyphant, PA

"ATOM H" was a record company owned by "Major Records International" ( the same company who also owned AAARRG records and C&C Records ). At the end of the 1980s, between 1987 and 1991 they released a dozen vinyl records. Bands for which "ATOM H" released records are: Accu§er, Forced Entry, Protector, Rumble Militia and STS 8 Mission. Today these records released by "ATOM H" have an estimated value from 20€ to 30€, with the highest prices for Protector, Accu§er and Shah albums.

Brain Records was a German record label, which released many Krautrock bands like Jane , Gorilla , Klaus Schulze . Brain was formed by two formed by two ex-Ohr employees. The green Brains are partly to interest of collectors because of some great Krautrock presented on this label. The first release dates back to 1972. The Green label was replaced by a multicolour design in 1975.

The original 1st issues of the releases up to 1056 have the word "metronome" under the logo. The later series are a bit brighter coloured and do not have "metronome". With this design some of the first series are reissued. Most of the releases have gatefold sleeves.

Brain also produced some Germany Heavy/Speed Metal bands like: Accept

See also the Metronome record label

Columbia records was the "Columbia" label used for production and distribution of records in the USA.
Outside the USA the records were distributed under the CBS logo.

In 1955, Columbia introduced the "6 eye" label. There are six camera/eye logos on the label, and the "LP" logo is at the bottom. This label continued on all (mono) pressings until 1962.

In 1958, stereo was introduced, and so a stereo version of the "6 eye" label was created. The prefix for standard stereo LP's was CS.

The 6 eye were arranged in sets of three opposite each other, along the outer edge of the label, at "3 o'clock" and "9 o'clock" as it were. The logos look like LP discs that have been squashed into ovals with two sick figure feet coming out of the bottom. These logos are referred to as "eyes" because they sort of resemble eyes. The "pop" records were red white and black. When browsing LP's for sale, a record collector who sees an item listed as a "6-eye" naturally assumes that this record was made in the 1950's or early 1960's. These records typically have a catalog number consisting of two letters followed by four numbers

In 1962, Columbia switched to the "2 eye" label, which lasted in one form or another until 1970. The first variety (1962-1963) featured the words "Guaranteed High Fidelity" at the bottom for mono LP's and "360 Sound" twice around the word "STEREO" at the bottom for stereo LP's.

In Fall, 1963, arrows were added to the stereo logo.

In 1963, the print on both mono and stereo copies -- for mainstream and Masterworks albums -- was changed to white, which contrasted better with the red (or gray) label.

From the late '60's or early 1970's on, Columbia returned to a form of 6-eye style. This time the logos or eyes were repeated in a circle around the outside of the label (sometimes known as "ringarounds"), and in between each eye the word "Columbia" appeared. For pop records the background was red and the writing was also yellow (typically, though sometimes it was white or black). Most of these records have catalog numbers that consisted of a letter code followed by five numbers (eg: JC 35709)

Conquer The World Records (often abbreviated to CTW) was a record label founded by Mike Warden in Detroit, Michigan. through out the years many of the bands that were signed to the label have gone on to complain about the label repressing the releases and withholding profits, however most have been due to conflicts resulting in assumptions. Many of the releases have been re-released on other labels and could be the reason for starting the rumors of reprints.

The first part of CTW's catalog consists of hardcore and emo releases, while the second are mostly compilations and audio books.

Devil's Records produced records for French Speed and Thrash Metal bands like: ADX, Attentat Rock, Sortilege, Vulcain

Earthshaker records was a German label formed by renowned Metal-scenester Axel Thubeauville . He also co-founded Aaarrg Records with Ralf Hubert and later formed his own Shark Records. Various old Earthshaker releases are now being re-released by Alex' new label Rusty Diamond.

Axel Thubeauville Discover Axel Thubeauville’s legendary impact on heavy metal history

Ralph "Ralf" Hubert Ralph "Ralf" Hubert, a versatile talent whose impact on heavy metal, both as a producer and a musician, remains indelible. Learn all about him.

Bands released on the Earthshaker records label include: Carrie . Steeler , Living Death, Steeltower, Atlain, Fact ,

Axel Thubeauville Discover Axel Thubeauville’s legendary impact on heavy metal history

Ebony was a British record label and one of the leading companies responsible fpr the promotion and produced records for heavy metal (NWOBHM) bands like: Blade Runner, Fast Kutz , Grim Reaper

These are some of the manufacturing plant codes used by the Elektra / Asylum and can be helpful to determine the origin of records

CSM = Columbia Record Productions, Santa Maria, CA CTH = Columbia Record Productions, Terre Haute, IN PRC = Philips Recording Corp., Richmond, IN PRC-W = Philips Recording Corp., Compton, CA ... the "W" presumably indicates West

Full details on Elektra "Master" Discography

Good Life Recordings is a record label based in Belgium. It was founded in 1996 by Edward Verhaeghe who had been the lead vocalist in Nations On Fire. The label specializes in metal metalcore/hardcore bands. It has released many highly significant bands of the second and third wave of hardcore, as well as the majority of the signed bands that are part of H8000.

Good Life Recordings GL 030	CULTURE Born of You
Good Life Recordings ED026 / Kortrijk, Belgium	SPIRIT OF YOUTH Colors That Bleed

Island Records was formed to market and distribute Jamaican records in Britain. In the mid-60's Island began to expand with a handful of (white) British artists. By 1967 Island was at the centre of the progressive rock movement....

The ILP mono series:
The numbering is similar for the same music (ILP 962 is the mono release and ILPS 9062 is the stereo release). Note that some albums are remixed for their stereo release.

Megaforce Records was one of the first record labels to specialize in heavy metal music and was instrumental in popularizing the genre during the 80s. The label was known for releasing albums by up-and-coming heavy metal bands that were often ignored by other record labels. Through its support and promotion of these artists, Megaforce Records helped establish heavy metal as a viable and important genre of music. Learn more

A Hardcore Thrash Metal Records Label started in 1985 with bands like Post Mortem and Wehrmacht (1987)

Produced of punk , grunge and metal records, in particular bands like Attitude, Ludichrist,

WB 036 - Erosion - Mortal Agony
WB 062 - Death in Action - Just For Sake...
WB 083 - Into Another