Nirvana Plastic & Matrix Codes
The goal of this website is to explain the complete manufacturing process of records and CDs, especially how matrix codes are inscribed and what they mean, and apply the information to explain official Nirvana releases, such as deciding the time and place of manufacture, verifying authenticity, and even understanding why certain items were made. The site covers test pressings and Pennyroyal Tea items.
For a complete discography, please visit sliver.it.
- pennyroyal_3@yahoo.co.uk
- Personal collection
Jo Bolsom, Nirvana product manager in the UK, please get in touch!
Enrico finally facing jail time
While on vacation, Enrico grabbed the ass of an unsuspecting man wearing a bra while bathing. He was almost inside me
, the man said. Enrico has been arrested and the trial is pending. In the foreground you can see Enrico's jaleous, angry boyfriend.
Oh, The Guilt and In Utero
A new copy of the French Oh, The Guilt test pressing has surfaced. Copy numbers have been reorganized, so this was added as copy 1. Upgraded scans of clean labels of the American In Utero test pressing have also been added.
Several test pressings found, first copy of Live Through This
A new copy (3) of the rejected cut of Lanegan's first solo album was recently sold on eBay by Dan Peters. A never before documented German test pressing of Hole's Live Through This has also surfaced, barely containing Cobain's vocals buried in the mix. Tupelo test pressings of Bleach (copy 3) and Blew (copy 3) owned by a friend for a decade are finally shown on the site, and the image of the first copy of the British Unplugged In New York test pressing has been upgraded in all its blank beauty.
Heaven & Hell test pressing
A second copy of the American pressing of Heaven & Hell has surfaced, with a sheet from the distributor.
Cancelled British Unplugged
A second test pressing of the cancelled British pressing of Unplugged In New York has surfaced on eBay.
ORG test pressings revealed with full manufacturing history
Scans of the second pressings of Nevermind, In Utero, and Unplugged In New York, as well as the first pressing of Incesticide, have all been uploaded. It is recommended to read about the pressing plant, Pallas, first.
New Canadian sample disc
A second copy of the Canadian Unplugged In New York sample CD has surfaced, and the images of copy 1 of the In Utero sample CD have also been upgraded.
British matrix codes solved
The British Geffen vinyl releases were not cut by Abbey Road, but by Copymasters. The matrix codes were stamped or written by the pressing plants, which for the purpose of this website were EMI and Orlake. The same applies to Utopia cuts, in this case MPO wrote the matrix codes.