Optimal Media GmbH

Optimal Media GmbH

Profile:
German full-service media manufacturer, operating under this name since October 1, 2011. Formerly operating as Optimal Media Production.

Matrix scheme:

XY#####-ZZ
Single letter format identifier, followed by single character year identifier, followed by a five-digit numeral code, followed by an appended two-digit disc numbering.
Appears mostly without spaces. If the format and character identifier XY is followed by a space, enter accordingly into Matrix/Runout field, but keep without space in LCCN.

X is the format identifier:
"A" = CDs
"B" = Vinyl records
"D" = DVDs or Blu-ray Discs
"E" = Blu-ray Discs

Y is the master year identifier, which since 2010 is a single letter (A to Z):

A = 2010 – see 'Notes on CDs/DVDs/Blu-rays' below
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014
F = 2015
G = 2016
H = 2017
I = 2018
J = 2019
K = 2020
L = 2021
M = 2022
N = 2023

After the 5-digit numeral code, the 2-digit disc numbering (ZZ) can be found, which starts at "01".
On multi-disc releases, the last digit usually incrementally rises by 1 for each disc. (Example: Disc 1 = 01, Disc 2 = 02, etc.)

Examples:
CD: AB57815-01 manufactured by optimal media GmbH
DVD: DC83784-01 manufactured by optimal media GmbH
Blu-ray: EL60280-01 manufactured by optimal media GmbH
Vinyl: BJ78101-01 A1

Matrix/Runout entry: The complete information of the matrix/mirror band area should be entered as it appears on the CD. Do not literally take over the order from the examples in the profile. For instance: "manufactured by optimal media GmbH" may appear before or after the XY#####-ZZ.

Notes on CDs/DVDs/Blu-rays:
• CD, DVD and Blu-ray releases additionally carry a "manufactured by optimal media GmbH" string next to the matrix number.
• If the production was done for a manufacturing broker (e.g., Handle With Care), the string often is replaced with the name of the broker.
• The plant's mastering SID codes are: ifpi/IFPI L571, L572, L573, L574, L575, L576, L577, L578, L579, L622, LZ08, LZ09.
• In 2010 the company was still called Optimal Media Production. A release with the year code A and "manufactured by optimal media GmbH" in the matrix is a repress from October 2011 or later.

Notes on vinyl records:
• The matrix number can be either machine-stamped or hand-etched.
• DMM and lacquer cutting are offered in the in-house studio Sector 5 Studios. If there are no mastering engineer initials present (see the list below), the mastering/lacquer cutting was done externally.
• Due to the nature of the hand-etching, the B (format identifier) might be mistaken for a 3, an 8 or a D. Also, G as the second letter, year identifier, can often be confused with the number 9. The numeral 1 can be mistaken for a 7 and the 5 can be mistaken for a √.
• In case the matrix may appear to have spaces enter accordingly into Matrix/Runout field, but keep without space in LCCN (= BG12345).
• Vinyl releases additionally carry the side positions along with an additional digit, next to the matrix number (see the example below).
• There are sometimes additional, faintly inscribed "geometric" marks. These are added during plating, and are therefore mirrored. They consist of a digit (usually 1) and a symmetrical symbol such as |, +, =, △, ⋀ (for example, I↾). The numeral 1 is etched in the continental style with a long riser, and can be read as V or Λ. Enter these marks with the runout string in their non-mirrored form (e.g., "1|"), and note their form in the Release Notes (e.g., "In the runouts, "1|" is mirrored.").
• Marks that appear to read "VI" or similar are not the signature of an engineer. They are plating marks, which are inscribed into the mother plates and therefore appear mirrored. "VI" is actually "1|".
• In 2020, the job number reached BK99999, then started again with BK00000 (not with BK100000).

Notes on the manufacturing date:
• The year of manufacture in some cases may not be equal to the release year.
• The actual release date can be the same year of manufacture or one year later (e.g., manufactured in December and released in January).
• It (normally) cannot be earlier than the year it was manufactured (though there can be certain exceptions).
• Do not derive a release year from the manufacturing date code alone.

Instructions for entering in the LCCN field:
• For optical discs, please use "Manufactured By" (as on release). For vinyl records, "Pressed By" can be used.
• The job number "XY#####" can be added to the LCCN field. Please do not add the appended disc numbering, this is the internal "article number".
• If a release shows two or more of these numbers (e.g., multi-format releases), please enter each matrix number in a separate field.

Additional notes:
• Even records that come without the characteristic Optimal code can indeed be pressed there. Orders going through certain brokers and/or manufacturers won't get assigned a code for the plating process. With Optimal being one of the biggest pressing plants in Europe, there may be many records that were unknowingly pressed there.

Vinyl mastering engineers working at Optimal Media GmbH/Sector 5 Studios after 2011:
AM (23)
BW (5)
Heino Leja (HL)
Jörg Peters (JP)
Martin Krafft (2) (KR)
Marko Kluge (2) (MK)
SJ (13)
Stefan Tenner (2) (ST)
Thorsten Wyk (TW)

Please credit with "Lacquer Cut By" and the appropriate ANV (when the full name is known).
Sublabels
Parent Label:
Contact Info:
Optimal Media GmbH
Glienholzweg 7
17207 Röbel / Müritz
Germany

Tel.: +49 39931 56932

[email protected]
Sites:

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
-01 Antemasque - Antemasque Antemasque Antemasque(LP, Album) Nadie Sound -01 USA & Europe 2014 Sell This Version
001 Soundwalk Collective - Transmissions Soundwalk Collective Transmissions(4xLP, Comp + Box, Comp) Dischi Fantom 001 Italy 2017 Sell This Version
001 Various - Atomino Tonträger 1 Various Atomino Tonträger 1(12", Comp, Ltd, Num) Atomino Tonträger 001 Germany 2015 Sell This Version
М2БА-LP0014 Ария - Ночь Короче Дня Ария Ночь Короче Дня(LP, Album, RE, RM, 180) M2BA, Bomba Music М2БА-LP0014 Russia 2022 Sell This Version
М2БА-LP0019 Ария - Мания Величия Ария Мания Величия(LP, Album, RE, RM, 180) M2BA, Bomba Music М2БА-LP0019 Russia 2022 Sell This Version
М2БА-LP0023 Ария - Кровь За Кровь Ария Кровь За Кровь(LP, Album, RE, RM, 180) M2BA, Bomba Music М2БА-LP0023 Russia 2022 Sell This Version
3D13132 The Cult - Electric Peace The Cult Electric Peace(LP, Album, RE + LP, Album, RE + Comp) Beggars Banquet 3D13132 US 2013 Sell This Version
003LP Misses Next Match Für Leute Die Schon Alles Haben(LP, Album, RP) Broken Silence Records 003LP Germany 2016 Sell This Version
3M70354 Deep Purple - Bombay Calling (Live In '95) Deep Purple Bombay Calling (Live In '95)(2xCD, Album + DVD-V, Album, RE + Ltd, Num) Ear Music, Edel 3M70354 Europe 2022 Sell This Version
3rd ear 0200 Motorpsycho, The Source (6) & Deathprod - Roadwork Vol 2: The MotorSourceMassacre Motorpsycho, The Source (6) & Deathprod Motorpsycho, The Source (6) & Deathprod - Roadwork Vol 2: The MotorSourceMassacre(2xLP, Album, Ltd, RE, Blu) Stickman Records (3) 3rd ear 0200 Germany 2018 Sell This Version
3y3M003 María Peláe* - La Folcrónica María Peláe* La Folcrónica(2xLP, Album + CD, Album) 3y3 Music 3y3M003 Spain 2022 Sell This Version
4AD0154LPX The National - I Am Easy To Find The National I Am Easy To Find(LP, Red + LP, Yel + LP, S/Sided, Etch, Gre + Album) 4AD 4AD0154LPX UK, Europe & US 2019 Sell This Version
4AD0408LP Big Thief - Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You Big Thief Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You(2xLP, Album, RE, Opt) 4AD 4AD0408LP Worldwide 2023 Sell This Version
4AD0506LP U.S. Girls - Bless This Mess U.S. Girls Bless This Mess (Album) 4AD0506LP USA & Europe 2023 Sell This Version
4AD0611LPX The Breeders - Last Splash (30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition) The Breeders Last Splash (30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition)(2x12", Album, RE, RM + 12", S/Sided, EP, Etch + Lt) 4AD 4AD0611LPX Worldwide 2023 Sell This Version
7TH 12011 The Matchstick Man & Fozbee & Cooz - 7 Track EP The Matchstick Man & Fozbee & Cooz The Matchstick Man & Fozbee & Cooz - 7 Track EP (EP) 7TH 12011 UK 2016 Sell This Version
7TH 12013 Equinox (3) Let's Go Back / Rollin' Out(12", TP, W/Lbl) 7th Storey Projects 7TH 12013 UK 2017 Sell This Version
7TH 12014 Coco Bryce - Raid / JBB Coco Bryce Raid / JBB 7TH 12014 UK 2017 Sell This Version
7TH 12015 FFF & Coco Bryce FFF & Coco Bryce - Double Dragon EP(12", EP, TP) 7th Storey Projects 7TH 12015 UK 2017 Sell This Version
7TH 12017 Jules Elipse Dogheart EP(12", EP, TP, W/Lbl) 7th Storey Projects 7TH 12017 UK 2017 Sell This Version
7TH 12018 Fushara - Ascension / Nerve Fushara Ascension / Nerve 7TH 12018 UK 2017 Sell This Version
7TH 12019 Coco Bryce Ayakashi EP(12", EP, TP, W/Lbl) 7th Storey Projects 7TH 12019 UK 2017 Sell This Version
7TH 12021 Fushara - Remnant / Logical Fushara Remnant / Logical 7TH 12021 UK 2017 Sell This Version
7TH 12022 Jungle Buddha - Seven Chambers E.P. Jungle Buddha Seven Chambers E.P.(2x12", EP, Ltd) 7th Storey Projects 7TH 12022 UK 2018 Sell This Version
7TH 12023 Tim Reaper Monarchy(12", TP, W/Lbl) 7th Storey Projects 7TH 12023 UK 2018 Sell This Version
7TH 12024 FFF Never Give Up(12", TP, W/Lbl) 7th Storey Projects 7TH 12024 UK 2018 Sell This Version
7THSUBSCI 001 Various - Elysian Boundary Various Elysian Boundary (EP) 7THSUBSCI 001 UK 2018 Sell This Version
12DHR01 Angus Stone - Broken Brights Angus Stone Broken Brights(2xLP, Album, RP) Desert Harvest Records 12DHR01 Europe 2012 Sell This Version
12MTHSCD003 Liquid Sisters - Greatest Shits Liquid Sisters Greatest Shits(CD, Album) 12 Months (2) 12MTHSCD003 Finland 2014 Sell This Version
17 Martin Wind, Ulf Meyer - Fuglsang Martin Wind, Ulf Meyer Martin Wind, Ulf Meyer - Fuglsang(LP, Ltd) Edition Longplay 17 Germany 2016 Sell This Version
17 rue Pville 김오키* - 천사의 분노 (Cherubim’s Wrath) 김오키* 천사의 분노 (Cherubim’s Wrath)(LP, Album, Ltd, Gat) Pleasantville Records 17 rue Pville South Korea 2016 Sell This Version
18 Donny McCaslin - Brooklyn 3 Donny McCaslin Brooklyn 3(LP, Ltd, Num, Gat) Edition Longplay 18 Germany 2017 Sell This Version
20SC0020 Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé - Barcelona Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé - Barcelona(CD, Album, RE, S/Edition) Mercury, Universal Music Group International 20SC0020 Italy 2020 Sell This Version
024 Gim Kordon - Ei Ole Helppoo Gim Kordon Ei Ole Helppoo(CD, Album) Soliti 024 Finland 2014 Sell This Version
28 SEN3 - Vol. II SEN3 Vol. II(LP, Album, Ltd) Friends Of The Fish, Fruits de Mer Records 28 UK 2019 Sell This Version
030 Dot (22) - Monsters Dot (22) Monsters(LP, Album) Anette Records 030 Germany 2020 Sell This Version
0004-2KHA Thet À Thet* - I'm Yours Thet À Thet* I'm Yours(CD, Album) Künstlerhafen 0004-2KHA Germany 2016 Sell This Version
#46 anorak. - Enthusiasts And Collectors anorak. Enthusiasts And Collectors(LP, Ltd, Num) Uncle M #46 Germany 2016 Sell This Version
52HZ001LP Colin Stetson - Sorrow (A Reimagining Of Gorecki's 3rd Symphony) Colin Stetson Sorrow (A Reimagining Of Gorecki's 3rd Symphony)(2xLP, Album, 180) 52Hz 52HZ001LP USA, Canada & Europe 2016 Sell This Version
СНГ 060 Мегаполис - Из Жизни Планет. Музыкальное Посвящение Неснятым Фильмам Мегаполис Из Жизни Планет. Музыкальное Посвящение Неснятым Фильмам(2xLP, Album) Снегири СНГ 060 Russia 2014 Sell This Version
0006-2KHA Joo Kraus - Until Now... Joo Kraus Until Now...(2xCD, Comp) Künstlerhafen 0006-2KHA Germany 2016 Sell This Version
0070-2 Gundermann & Seilschaft - Engel Über Dem Revier Gundermann & Seilschaft Engel Über Dem Revier(CD, Album) BuschFunk, Buschfunk 0070-2 Germany Unknown Sell This Version
#84 Various - Riddim CD #84 Various Riddim CD #84(CD, Comp) Riddim Magazine #84 Germany 2016 Sell This Version
99CHANTS04 Giulio Aldinucci - No Eye Has An Equal Giulio Aldinucci No Eye Has An Equal(LP, Album, Ltd) 99CHANTS, 99CHANTS 99CHANTS04 Germany 2019 Sell This Version
103 Anthony Rother - Interception Anthony Rother Interception(12", TP, W/Lbl) Psi49net 103 Germany 2019 Sell This Version
111A01 周杰倫* - Jay 周杰倫* Jay(2xLP, Album, Ltd, RE, RM, DMM) JVR Music, Sony Music 111A01 Taiwan 2020 Sell This Version
111A02 周杰倫 Jay* - 范特西 周杰倫 Jay* 范特西(2x12", Album, Ltd, DMM) JVR Music, Sony Music Entertainment (Taiwan) Ltd. 111A02 Taiwan 2020 Sell This Version
111A03 周杰倫* - 八度空間 周杰倫* 八度空間(2xLP, Album, Ltd, RE, RM, DMM) JVR Music 111A03 Taiwan 2020 Sell This Version
111A09 周杰倫* - 11月的蕭邦 (November's Chopin) 周杰倫* 11月的蕭邦 (November's Chopin)(LP, Album, Ltd, DMM) JVR Music, Sony Music Entertainment (Taiwan) Ltd. 111A09 Taiwan 2020 Sell This Version
# 120 Ultha - Converging Sins Ultha Converging Sins(2xLP, Album, Cle) Vendetta Records (3) # 120 Germany 2016 Sell This Version
147 Rain (7) - Norsk Suite Rain (7) Norsk Suite(LP, Album, Ltd, Num) Shadoks Music 147 Germany 2012 Sell This Version
#154 Spectral Wound - Infernal Decadence Spectral Wound Infernal Decadence(LP, Album) Vendetta Records (3) #154 Germany 2018 Sell This Version
154 Farm - Farm Farm Farm(LP, Num, RE) Shadoks Music 154 Germany 2013 Sell This Version
155 The Speakers* - En El Maravilloso Mundo De Ingeson The Speakers* En El Maravilloso Mundo De Ingeson(LP) Shadoks Music 155 Germany 2013 Sell This Version
#173 Slow Worries - Careful Climb Slow Worries Careful Climb(LP, Album, W/Lbl) Adagio830 #173 Europe 2020 Sell This Version
180GDULP09 Leonardo Marques - Flea Market Music Leonardo Marques Flea Market Music(LP, Album, TP, W/Lbl) 180g, Disk Union 180GDULP09 Japan 2022 Sell This Version
192 Cement (7) - Utmaningen Cement (7) Utmaningen(LP, Album, Ltd, Num) Shadoks Music 192 Germany 2017 Sell This Version
026-2KHA Juliano Rossi - The Last White Christmas Juliano Rossi The Last White Christmas(CD, Album) Künstlerhafen 026-2KHA Germany 2019 Sell This Version
00333-MM Lars Lilholt Band - Decameron Lars Lilholt Band Decameron(LP, Album) Music Manager 00333-MM Europe 2021 Sell This Version
В 403 фАУ* - Праздник Непослушания Или Последний День Помпея фАУ* Праздник Непослушания Или Последний День Помпея(LP, Album, RE, RM) Отделение ВЫХОД В 403 Russia 2015 Sell This Version
502 Giuda (2) - Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting Giuda (2) Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting(7", Single, TP, W/Lbl) Damaged Goods 502 Europe 2018 Sell This Version
В 503 Звуки Му - Live In Liverpool + John Peel Session Звуки Му Live In Liverpool + John Peel Session (Maxi, Album) В 503 Russia 2019 Sell This Version
В 518 Ч Ноль - Сказки Ноль Сказки(LP, Album, Ltd, Num, RE, RM) Отделение ВЫХОД В 518 Ч Russia 2019 Sell This Version
В 526 Майк* - LV Майк* LV(LP, Album, RM) Отделение ВЫХОД В 526 Russia 2020 Sell This Version
В 530 Калинов Мост - Оружие Калинов Мост Оружие(LP, Album, RE, RM) Отделение ВЫХОД В 530 Russia 2020 Sell This Version
В 548 Зоопарк - ДК МЭЛЗ 8 Апреля 1988. Премьера Фильма «Асса» Зоопарк ДК МЭЛЗ 8 Апреля 1988. Премьера Фильма «Асса» В 548 Russia 2021 Sell This Version
В 556 Калинов Мост - Пояс Ульчи Калинов Мост Пояс Ульчи(LP, Album, RE, RM) Отделение ВЫХОД В 556 Russia 2022 Sell This Version
В 572 Калинов Мост - Даурия Калинов Мост Даурия (Album) В 572 Russia 2022 Sell This Version
847.A015.060 Two Gallants - The Bloom And The Blight Two Gallants The Bloom And The Blight(LP, Album + 7", S/Sided, Single, Etch) Fargo (5), Fargo (5), [PIAS] Entertainment Group 847.A015.060 France 2012 Sell This Version
896.A001.010 Milky Chance - Sadnecessary Milky Chance Sadnecessary(LP, Album + CD, Album) Lichtdicht Records, [PIAS] Germany 896.A001.010 Germany 2014 Sell This Version
962.A023.010 Melanie De Biasio - No Deal Melanie De Biasio No Deal(LP, Album + CD, Album) [PIAS] Le Label, [PIAS] Le Label, Play It Again Sam, Play It Again Sam 962.A023.010 Europe 2013 Sell This Version
1117 Simone Hennig & Tanya Stewner - Alea Aquarius - Weihnachten Mit Der Alpha Cru Simone Hennig & Tanya Stewner Simone Hennig & Tanya Stewner - Alea Aquarius - Weihnachten Mit Der Alpha Cru(CD) Oetinger Audio 1117 Germany 2019 Sell This Version
1132 The Pineapple Thief - Variations On A Dream The Pineapple Thief Variations On A Dream(LP, RE) Kscope 1132 Europe 2023 Sell This Version
01142 Hartmut König - Sag Mir, Wo Du Stehst - Alte & Neue Songs Hartmut König Sag Mir, Wo Du Stehst - Alte & Neue Songs(CD, Album) Eulenspiegel Verlag 01142 Germany 2019 Sell This Version
1234hesten Idiot Wind - Find The Rhythm In The Noise Idiot Wind Find The Rhythm In The Noise(7", Single) häst. 1234hesten Sweden 2012 Sell This Version
1301-J1 Wulf Mohrmann - Jerichow Grounded Wulf Mohrmann Jerichow Grounded (EP) 1301-J1 Germany 2019 Sell This Version
1301-J1a Wulf Mohrmann - Jerichow Grounded Wulf Mohrmann Jerichow Grounded(LP, S/Sided, EP, Etch, Ltd, Num, B-S) 1301 Media 1301-J1a Germany 2019 Sell This Version
1311 John Coltrane - Giant Steps John Coltrane Giant Steps(LP, Album, RE) Atlantic, Atlantic, Atlantic, Atlantic 1311 Europe 2014 Sell This Version
1511 Thelonious Monk - Genius Of Modern Music Volume Two Thelonious Monk Genius Of Modern Music Volume Two(LP, Comp, Mono, RE, RM, 180) Blue Note, Blue Note, Universal Music Group International 1511 Europe 2015 Sell This Version
1577 John Coltrane - Blue Train John Coltrane Blue Train(LP, Album, RE, RM, 180) Blue Note, Blue Note, Universal Music Group International 1577 Europe 2014 Sell This Version
1581 Sonny Rollins - A Night At The Village Vanguard Sonny Rollins A Night At The Village Vanguard(LP, Album, RE, RM, 180) Blue Note, Blue Note, Universal Music Group International 1581 Europe 2014 Sell This Version
01941 The Damned - Stiff Singles 1976-1977 The Damned Stiff Singles 1976-1977(Box, Comp, Ltd + 5x7", Single, RE) BMG, Union Square Music, Stiff Records 01941 UK 2018 Sell This Version
01943 The Damned - Stiff Singles 1976-1977 The Damned Stiff Singles 1976-1977(Box, Comp, Ltd + 5x7", Single, RE) BMG, Union Square Music, Stiff Records 01943 UK 2018 Sell This Version
01944 The Damned - Stiff Singles 1976-1977 The Damned Stiff Singles 1976-1977(Box, Comp, Ltd + 5x7", Single, RE) BMG, Union Square Music, Stiff Records 01944 UK 2018 Sell This Version
01946 The Damned - Stiff Singles 1976-1977 The Damned Stiff Singles 1976-1977(Box, Comp, Ltd + 5x7", Single, RE) BMG, Union Square Music, Stiff Records 01946 UK 2018 Sell This Version
2084 The Electric Family - Ice Cream Phoenix - Resurrection The Electric Family Ice Cream Phoenix - Resurrection(CD, Album, RE, Dig) Sireena Records 2084 Germany 2012 Sell This Version
2328 New Model Army - Winter New Model Army Winter(CD, Album, S/Edition, Med) Ear Music, Attack Attack 2328 Germany 2016 Sell This Version
2855 Energy 52 - Café Del Mar Energy 52 Café Del Mar(12") Superstition 2855 Germany 2023 Sell This Version
3000GRADLP001 Mollono.Bass - Woods, Tales & Friends Mollono.Bass Woods, Tales & Friends(2xLP, Album) 3000° 3000GRADLP001 Germany 2020 Sell This Version
3000GRAD SPECIAL LP001 Douglas Greed - Angst Douglas Greed Angst(LP, Album) 3000° 3000GRAD SPECIAL LP001 Germany 2020 Sell This Version
3000GRAD SPECIAL LP002 jPattersson - Mood jPattersson Mood(LP, Album) 3000°, 3000° 3000GRAD SPECIAL LP002 Germany 2020 Sell This Version
03440 Dota Und Die Stadtpiraten - In Anderen Räumen Dota Und Die Stadtpiraten In Anderen Räumen(LP, Album) Broken Silence, Kleingeldprinzessin Records 03440 Germany 2023 Sell This Version
4003 Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Moanin' Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Moanin'(LP, Album, RE, RM, 180) Blue Note, Blue Note, Universal 4003 Europe 2015 Sell This Version
4049-1 Hathors - Panem Et Circenses Hathors Panem Et Circenses(LP) Nois-O-Lution 4049-1 Europe 2017 Sell This Version
4683 Paul Hankinson - Dear Emily Paul Hankinson Dear Emily(CD, Album) Traumton Records 4683 Europe 2019 Sell This Version
05053 Maestro* - Blue Note Trip - Late Nights / Early Mornings Maestro* Blue Note Trip - Late Nights / Early Mornings(2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Blue Note, EMI 05053 Netherlands 2012 Sell This Version
5521-1 Cathedral - The Carnival Bizarre Cathedral The Carnival Bizarre(2xLP, Album, Ltd, RE) Earache 5521-1 US 2014 Sell This Version
5524-1 Massacre - From Beyond Massacre From Beyond(LP, Album + 12", EP + Ltd, RE, 180) Earache 5524-1 US 2014 Sell This Version
5526-1 Hate Eternal - Conquering The Throne Hate Eternal Conquering The Throne(LP, Album) Earache 5526-1 US 2014 Sell This Version
5527-1 The Haunted - The Haunted The Haunted The Haunted(LP, Album, RE) Earache 5527-1 US 2015 Sell This Version

Reviews

Add Review

robert.huffman.311

robert.huffman.311

November 11, 2023
Just got the 2023 issue of Led Zeppelin IV (https://www.discogs.com/release/28710493-Led-Zeppelin-Untitled) and it's great, no quality issues with the record it's self and it sounds great, very dynamic, clear and loud like I would want. They might be hit or miss in recent years but this one is a keeper. Hopefully they have turned the corner on all that...
NN06

NN06

October 21, 2023
Do they really care? Their pressing and QC on John Coltrane's My Favorite Things is so neglected! Poor QC leads to high pitched rips and farts on 4A last section. Defaults are visible on the surface: I would have skipped it if it was a second hand record but on a sealed package you tend to trust the German pressing company… well, don’t! I've send them a mail with a picture showing how visible it is, they don't even bother to reply.
patientot

patientot

September 2, 2023
I really hoped this plant would clean up their act and go back to how things were several years ago, but no chance of that it seems.

A full 50% or more of the records I receive that are pressed here are defective in some way. Non-fill, stitching, factory warps, off-center (misaligned stampers), random scratch damage, etc. are the order of the day with this place.

Many labels end up using this factory because they're huge, have big capacity, and get things done cheaply. I really wish labels would shop around more and find a better plant. This factory is ruining your music. Wake up.
Sartias

Sartias

August 29, 2023
OMG - fits just right for my thoughts on the quality of terminator 2 LP. Noise, dirt and more noise.
WayfaererNZ

WayfaererNZ

August 12, 2023
edited 4 months ago
I started collecting vinyl in 2011, with a focus on extreme metal, and Optimal were the gold standard back then. Their pressings were always superbly mastered and cut, and the quality control was second to none. Seeing an album I love pressed by Optimal meant it was guaranteed to be the best version, and I always prioritised them.

But in the past 3 years or so, Optimal seems to have suffered a major decline in quality. Stitching and non-fill are their Achilles Heel now. Without exaggeration, over half of the Optimal records I've bought in the past year have been ruined by audible stitching and non-fill. Maybe I got lucky between 2011 and 2020, but I never had ANY factory defects on Optimal pressings that warranted a return or exchange. Luckily, some webshops have excellent customer service and will send a replacement no questions asked, even though I live in New Zealand - but others do not, and I've been left out of pocket with several unplayable records lately.

And it's not just stitching and non-fill. I've had several records with audible scratches and scuffs straight of the shrink, as well as many records pressed off centre.With vinyl being so expensive now, it has actually caused me to consider stopping buying Optimal records pressed after 2019.

Bizarrely, underdogs GZ have climbed the ranks and are now more reliable than Optimal. While GZ tends to press records with more surface noise, they're almost always pressed dead centred, and I've never had stitching or non-fill on a GZ record. You do still run the risk of factory scuffs and marks with GZ, but in my experience these are way rarer than the stitching from Optimal. And pops and ticks are more tolerable than the terrible buzzing and grinding that you get from stitching and non-fill.

I'm currently waiting to receive the 5xLP boxset of Daniel Ekeroth's Swedish Death Metal compilation, which is pressed by Optimal, and I'm genuinely dreading the moment I open it. It was expensive, and the odds of being able to replace certain discs in the set is essentially zero. If I get any stitching, non-fill or audible defects in this boxset, I'm going to actively avoid Optimal until they sort their shit out.

EDIT: The Swedish Death Metal boxset was perfect. Optimal lives to fight another day.
Miguelisabel

Miguelisabel

August 3, 2023
El control de calidad es nulo, comprado dos veces el recién sacado álbum de PJ Harvey , deformados,con mucho ruido superficial en casi todo el disco de vinilo, al final compré el CD...una pena....
Maslakoff

Maslakoff

July 27, 2023
It's been rather a hit-or-miss affair in mid-2010s, but now I guess the plant is going through the harshest of times. There's no quality control, the discs are warped beyond acceptability, the surface noise is always present and the non-fill... Oh my, non-fill.
Vinyl became ridiculously expensive these days, and this is just putting another nail in the coffin.
Nabnassett

Nabnassett

July 26, 2023
Steve Wilson Raven... Never heard a louder new LP. Looks fine but man, I can't listen to it. I ordered it from Britain so a return is expensive. Steve Wilson is supposed to be The fidelity guy but all of my OM pressings sound like crap. Nobody cares, it's a cash grab.
primecut3

primecut3

June 25, 2023
New John Cale album, "Mercy" black vinyl and pressed at optimal. Dished and Warped. Buying at 65$ add 10$ per record to flatten them so they become playable = $85...Seriously? Optimal, I will stick CDs or download (And of course, no complimentary download card included either). Guys, you are milking your customers and you are killing the cash cow in the process... Go and manufacture toy subs to explore the Titanic!
Gothalgo

Gothalgo

March 3, 2023
sorry, but so noisy press Flying Lotus Yasuke, no quality control, misprints, omg