Black Sabbath’s Early Demos Will Be Released as ‘The Legendary Lost Tapes’ The upcoming collection contains tracks the metal greats recorded in 1969, when they were performing under the name Earth

Black Sabbath’s Early Demos Will Be Released as ‘The Legendary Lost Tapes’

The upcoming collection contains tracks the metal greats recorded in 1969, when they were performing under the name Earth

 

 

**Black Sabbath’s Early Demos Unearthed: “Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes” Ready for Release*

*June 30, 2025 – Birmingham, UK & Worldwide

Heavy metal history is about to get deeper: **Black Sabbath’s earliest recordings**, dating back to 1969 when they still performed under the name **Earth**, are officially being released for the first time in a new collection titled ***Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes***. These rare demos are set to drop on **July 25** via **Big Bear Records**, overseen by Jim Simpson, the band’s first-ever manager ([nme.com][1]).

### 📼 What’s Inside

Recorded at **Zella Studios in Birmingham**, the tapes capture Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward as they transition from blues-driven roots to the heavy, ominous sound that defined Black Sabbath ([the-independent.com][2]). Highlights include:

* Three blues covers: **“Blue Suede Shoes,” “Evenin’,” “Wee Wee Baby”**

* Two takes of **“Song For Jim”**, one featuring Iommi on guitar and another on flute

* Primitive versions of proto-metal tracks: **“Free Man,” “Wicked World,” “Warning,”** and untitled jams ([birminghamworld.uk][3])

### 🎙️ A Manager’s Perspective: Jim Simpson Speaks

“I recorded these tracks in 1969 but held back release as their style was evolving so quickly,” recalled Simpson. He emphasized the recordings reveal a band of teens who were already “excellent musicians and a fine band, fully deserving of all the success that was to come” ([consequence.net][4])

Under Simpson’s direction, Sabbath would soon release their eponymous debut in 1970 and *Paranoid* later that year—epoch-defining albums in rock history ([birminghamworld.uk][3]).

### 🧭 Timed with a Farewell

The archival launch aligns with Black Sabbath’s farewell concert at **Villa Park, Birmingham on July 5**, where they’ll also receive the city’s ceremonial **Freedom of the City** honor ([the-independent.com][2]). The release promises to deepen fans’ appreciation of the band’s formative evolution.

### 🔊 Formats & Availability

*Pre-orders are live* via Rough Trade and other retailers on **CD (£14.99)** and **vinyl (£26.99)** ([birminghamworld.uk][3]). Fans can expect remastered audio, detailed sleeve notes by Jim Simpson chronicling the band’s early journey, and essential historical context from the blues clubs of Birmingham culminating in Blue Bear Records’ debut-era emphasis ([metaladdicts.com][5]).

### 🛎️ Final Thought

For die‑hard fans and historians, *The Legendary Lost Tapes* isn’t just demo fodder—it’s a **rare window into Black Sabbath’s genesis**, capturing the moment when rural blues crossed paths with a darker, harder sound. These recordings celebrate the band’s transition from Earth to the titans of metal they would soon become.

 

Mark **July 25** on your calendars—the past is about to get louder.

Want insight into how these demos compare to later studio releases? Just let me know!