Sold Date: October 9, 2016
Start Date: September 29, 2016
Final Price: £113.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 6
Seller Feedback: 2023
Buyer Feedback: 651

MONUMENT First Monument (Beacon BEAS 15) Zior Black Sabbath RARE UK 1st Pressing MINT-
RARE UK first pressing of the recording debut of Monument, "First Monument" on Beacon Records (March 1971). 
The result, apparently, of a drunken night spent in the studio by occultist prog-rockers Zior, First Monument doesn`t profess to be more than the sum of its obscure parts. With infuences veering from Kingdom Come-era Arthur Brown to early Hawkwind, with the obligatory sprinkle of Black Sabbath for added flavour, the "mysticism-laced" (sleeve notes) sound of Monument comes across as perhaps somewhat calculated - or merely an intoxicated blend of "styles du jour". Nevertheless, the instrumental chops of all involved are beyond reproach, with special mention going to band leader and vocalist Steven Lowe, who mounts a convincing balancing act between Arthur Brownish operatic screams and the lustful barking of Iggy Pop - sometimes within one and the same musical brew.
GRADING:
EX COVER with minor all-round wear. Please see photos for details.
- Unlaminated UK first (and only) pressing sleeve in overall very fine condition.
- Small tear from store sticker removal (at bottom right).
- A few minor creases to the spine.
- Lightest record imprint on both sides of the sleeve.
- Slightly scuffed bottom edge.
- Also includes the original polylined inner sleeve, date-stamped "371" and in EX+ condition.

MINT- RECORD, played a handful of times at most.
- Close-to-perfect vinyl on both sides, with impeccable audio reproduction throughout.
- A few lightest hairlines, from sleeve removal only. Visible only under strong light.
- A superficial thumbnail scuff (8mm long; on Side Two) is completely inaudible.
- Minor background crackle in between some tracks.
- Original first-pressing Monument Records labels with a few spindle lines on each side.
- The matrix stamps in the run-off grooves read "BEAS 15 A - 1"  and "BEAS 15 B - 1".
- Mothers/Stampers: "1 / A" on Side One and "1 / G" on Side Two.  
- This copy of "First Monument" is fully certified to be a very first UK pressing, issued in March 1971.