: Raw versions of the track originally written for Geezer Butler's solo project.
: When initial sessions with Dio became tense due to "egos bouncing around," Tony Iommi actually called back to see if he would rejoin.
The refer to several sets of rare rehearsal and studio recordings made by Black Sabbath between 1990 and 1992. These sessions are historically significant because they document the turbulent reunion of the Mob Rules lineup—Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Vinny Appice—alongside early versions featuring drummer Cozy Powell . 🎹 Key Recording Phases
They had 20 songs. The album only needed 10. The demos? Pure rage. black sabbath dehumanizer demos
The 1992 Dehumanizer demos showcase a tumultuous era for Black Sabbath, featuring early "Rich Bitch" sessions with drummer Cozy Powell that yielded a rawer sound and unreleased tracks. These recordings also highlight a pivotal, alternate lineup with vocalist Tony Martin, offering a unique glimpse into the creative process before the final Dio-led sessions. Read the full article at the Complete Black Sabbath Community.
Given that much of this material has never been officially released (the official Dehumanizer deluxe edition features single edits, b-sides, and live cuts, but none of the true session recordings), the only way to explore this era is through fan-circulated bootlegs.
This track actually originated from Geezer Butler’s solo project (The Geezer Butler Band) from his time away from Sabbath. The demo versions reveal the band trying to figure out how to mold a song written for a different project into the collective Sabbath identity. The main riff in the demo is looser, lacking the razor-sharp precision Iommi later delivered on the album. 5. Why the Demos Matter to Collectors : Raw versions of the track originally written
Demo vs. Album
The earliest Dehumanizer demos began in 1991 at Rich Bitch Studios in Birmingham, England. What makes these early tracking sessions incredibly significant to collectors is the presence of legendary drummer Cozy Powell.
On the Dehumanizer demos, the guitar tones are noticeably filthier. Tony Iommi was experimenting with high-gain tones to compete with the heavier modern bands of the era, and the demos capture his Marshall amps melting in real-time. Without the slick studio compression of the final mix, Geezer Butler’s bass tone is abrasive and clanging, sounding closer to his work on Master of Reality than a slick 90s metal record. The demos
in Birmingham with Powell. Unfortunately, a freak horse-riding accident resulted in Powell breaking his pelvis, forcing the band to call in Appice to finish the record.
When comparing the leaked Dehumanizer demos to the final 1992 release, the differences are striking. The final album, produced by Reinhold Mack (known simply as Mack), features a famously sterile, compressed, yet brutally heavy production. The demos, by contrast, possess a breathing, organic room sound. "Computer God"