A unique album of recordings from Ozzy Osbourne's pre-Black Sabbath days is to be released after the long-lost tapes were unearthed, 57 years on. The previously unheard tracks were written when the Prince of Darkness,

Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes will be released on July 25 on CD and vinyl via Big Bear Records. Black Sabbath are on the cover of the new issue of Metal Hammer, out now. People have criticized the move because they feel the songs will disproportionately bolster the LP's numbers.

A unique album of recordings from the pre- Black Sabbath days of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward is to be released next month. Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes was recorded during the foursome’s early days in 1969 by music promoter Jim Simpson, who went on to become Black Sabbath’s first manager.