QUEEN news of the world EMS-81776

Queen’s Anthem Factory: ‘News Of The World’ Rare Reissue (EMS-81776)

Today’s entry concludes our look at these scarce late-80s Queen reissues with the album that gave the world its most enduring sports anthems. We are examining the 1987 Japanese Promo Sample pressing of News Of The World (known in Japan as Sekai ni Sasagu), released on the EMI label with the catalog number EMS-81776.

Stripped-Back Arena Rock

Originally released in 1977, News Of The World saw Queen reacting to the punk rock explosion by stripping back their elaborate production values for a rawer, more spontaneous sound. The result was a massive success, opening with the stomp-clap rhythm of “We Will Rock You” and the triumphant ballad “We Are The Champions”—two songs that have become inseparable parts of global culture. Beyond the hits, the album features the driving bass of John Deacon’s “Spread Your Wings,” the proto-thrash of Roger Taylor’s “Sheer Heart Attack,” and Brian May’s “It’s Late,” which features early examples of the guitar tapping technique. The album is also famous for its iconic sci-fi cover art painted by Frank Kelly Freas.

The Elusive “CD Era” Vinyl

Like the other 1987 reissues in this series, this pressing is very hard to find. By the late 80s, the Japanese market had shifted heavily toward Compact Discs, resulting in significantly lower production runs for vinyl records. While the original 1977 pressings are common, finding a clean copy from this specific 1987 Toshiba EMI run is a challenge for serious collectors.

Promo Specifications

This copy is a Promo Sample, elevating its rarity to the highest tier. It is distinguished by a “Sample” sticker affixed to the back cover, indicating it was a non-retail copy distributed to industry insiders. Manufactured by Toshiba EMI, the audio quality is superb. The album is presented in its original gatefold sleeve and comes complete with the 1987 reissue Obi strip and a 4-page lyric/liner note insert. It is a pristine, audiophile-grade artifact of Queen’s transition into classic rock immortality.