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Before they took on their famous band name, Black Sabbath were briefly known as Earth. Now, a collection of remastered demos from 1969 will be released as Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes, set to arrive July 25th.
According to NME, Sabbath are not directly involved in the release, but it’s being overseen by their first manager, Jim Simpson, who stated, “Before Black Sabbath, the band were known as Earth — a blues-driven powerhouse already making a name for themselves. This new release presents rare early recordings from that era, remastered from long-lost tapes.”
He added, “These recordings clearly demonstrate what fine music they produced right from the very beginning. We recorded these tracks at Zella Studio in Birmingham in 1969, but held back from releasing them as their style was evolving so quickly.”
Simpson went on to say, “Now, some 57 years later, the recordings assume a greater importance, illustrating how these four young men from Birmingham, barely out of their teens, were excellent musicians and a fine band, fully deserving of all the success that was to come their way.”
The collection will be released via Simpson’s Big Bear Records, a label that typically specializes in blues and jazz. The album cover and tracklist can be see below, while pre-orders are available via Rough Trade on vinyl or CD.
The news of the demo album comes just days prior to Black Sabbath’s final concert, taking place July 5th at Villa Park in their hometown of Birmingham, England. The lineup also features Ozzy Osbourne’s last solo performance, as well as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Pantera, Slayer, and more. For those who can’t make it to the concert, it will be available as a paid livestream.
Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes Artwork:
Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes Tracklist:
Side A
1. Blue Suede Shoes
2. Evenin’
3. Wee Wee Baby
4. ‘Untitled’
5. Free Man
Side B
1. Song For Jim (Guitar Version)
2. Song For Jim (Flute Version)
3. Wicked World
4. Warning
English (US) · 