Black Sabbath — Master of Reality
Known pressings
43 distinct releases are catalogued for this album. Year, country, label and catalogue number are what identify a pressing — match all four before you buy.
| Year | Country | Label | Catalogue # | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | GB | Vertigo | 6360 050 | 12" Vinyl |
| 1971 | US | — | — | — |
| 1971 | US | Warner Bros. Records | BS 2562 | 12" Vinyl — Terre Haute pressing |
| 1976 | GB | NEMS | NEL 6004 | 12" Vinyl — misprint |
| 1985 | GB | Creative Sounds Ltd. | 6004-2 | CD |
| 1985 | GB | Castle Communications, NEMS | NEL 6004, NEL 6004-5 | Vinyl |
| 1986 | FR | Castle Communications | CLACD 198 | CD |
| 1986 | GB | Castle Communications | NELCD 6004 | CD |
| 1987 | US | Warner Bros. Records | 2562-2 | CD |
| 1987 | US | Creative Sounds Ltd. | 6004 | CD |
| 1989 | DE | Vertigo | 832 707-2 | CD |
| 1989 | JP | Vertigo | 23PD-135 | CD |
| 1990 | CA | Warner Bros. Records | CD 2562, W2 2562 | CD |
| 1990 | XE | Warner Bros. Records | CD 2562 | CD |
| 1991 | DE | Castle Communications | CLC 5037 | CD |
| 1991 | JP | Metal Mania | TECP-23938 | CD |
| 1996 | GB | Essential! Records | ESM CD 303 | CD |
| 1996 | JP | Castle Communications | TECW-20144 | CD |
| 2000 | XE | Castle Music | CMTCD005 | CD — LP replica reissue |
| 2001 | JP | Victor | VICP-61279 | CD — Digital Remaster Collection |
| 2002 | JP | Victor | VICP-61712 | CD — Digital Remaster Original Jacket Collection |
| 2003 | IT | Earmark | 41001 | 12" Vinyl |
| 2003 | IT | Earmark | 41001 P | 12" Vinyl |
| 2004 | XE | Sanctuary Midline | SMRCD033 | CD |
| 2006 | AR | Icarus Music | ICARUS 232 | CD |
| 2007 | JP | Strange Days Records | POCE-1099 | CD |
| 2009 | JP | Vertigo | UICY-94183/4 | SHM-CD |
| 2009 | XE | Sanctuary Records | 2701106 | CD — deluxe edition |
| 2010 | XE | Sanctuary Records | 2730325 | CD |
| 2011 | JP | Sanctuary Records | UIGY-9503 | SHM-SACD |
| 2014 | US | Rhino, Warner Bros. Records | — | Digital Media |
| 2016 | CA | Warner Bros. Records | 2562, R1 552926 | 12" Vinyl — deluxe edition |
| 2016 | US | Warner Bros. Records, Rhino | 2562, RR1 2562 | 12" Vinyl |
| 2016 | US | Rhino | R2 552926 | CD |
| 2016 | US | Rhino | RR2 2562 | CD |
| 2018 | XW | [no label] | [none] | Digital Media — AudioPhil edition |
| 2021 | XE | Vertigo, BMG | 4050538658194, BMGCAT497LP | 12" Vinyl — purple vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Warner Records, Rhino | 081227818999, BS 2562, RCV1 725691 | 12" Vinyl |
| 2025 | XW | BMG | 964186992 | CD — Remastered 2009 |
| — | AU | Castle Communications | PACD 003 | CD |
| — | DE | Creative Sounds Ltd. | 449803-2 | CD |
| — | US | Warner Bros. Records, BMG Direct | 2562-2, D101863 | CD — club edition |
| — | XW | Sanctuary Records | [none] | Digital Media — 2009 remastered version |
What to hunt
Ten editions worth chasing for this album, from the original first pressing to promo and audiophile issues.
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Original first pressing Vinyl
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" first press original vinyl
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Early country pressing Vinyl
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" early pressing vinyl
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Promo / white label Vinyl
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" promo white label vinyl
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Limited / numbered edition Vinyl
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" limited numbered vinyl
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Audiophile pressing Vinyl
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" audiophile vinyl pressing
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Early CD pressing CD
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" first press early CD
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Japan pressing CD
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" Japan CD pressing
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West Germany / early Europe pressing CD
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" West Germany early CD pressing
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Promo / sample CD CD
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" promo sample CD
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Audiophile / limited CD CD
Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" audiophile limited CD