Black Sabbath – Master of Reality TEST PRESS (2020) RSD • TYW Metalwork • RARE
£
100
$
133
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Description
BMGCATBOX73.3 • Key Production London Limited
Test Pressing for the Record Store Day Reissue — Using the Original Ten Year War Metalwork
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Description
This is an exceptionally rare 2020 test pressing of Black Sabbath – Master of Reality, created by Key Production (London) and BMG specifically for the Record Store Day standalone reissue.
This pressing was manufactured to approve the condition and audio integrity of the original metalwork created for the Ten Year War box set. BMG reused that same TYW lacquer metalwork for the RSD breakout edition, and this test pressing was produced to verify that the metal parts were still pristine, accurate, and ready for commercial manufacture.
In other words:
This is the test pressing that ensured the RSD reissue could exist.
It sits in a unique position within Sabbath’s modern vinyl history — not part of the original 2016 run, but directly tied to the RSD reissue process and cut from the same approved TYW master source.
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Why This Test Pressing Is Important
• It is the QC approval disc for the RSD pressing.
• Pressed from the Ten Year War metal parts (widely considered the best modern mastering of the Sabbath catalogue).
• Confirms lacquer freshness, groove integrity and stamper quality.
• Only a tiny number were made (typically 2–5 copies max).
• Produced 14 November 2020 (date code: 111420).
• Official internal manufacturing sticker with the cat. no. BMGCATBOX73.3.
• A unique artefact bridging two major Sabbath vinyl eras:
TYW deluxe box set → RSD breakout edition
For Sabbath collectors, this is a fascinating and historically significant piece because it documents the reuse and approval of the TYW metalwork — something collectors rarely get physical evidence of.
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Sticker & Pressing Details (From Your Photos)
• Manufacturer: Key Production London Limited
• Cat. No: BMGCATBOX73.3
• Title: Black Sabbath – Master of Reality
• Date: 11/14/20
• Country of Origin: Czech Republic (Optimal)
• White label test pressing, unplayed
• Factory poly-lined inner with original QC sticker intact
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What Test Pressing This Actually Is
This is not:
• a 2016 TYW test pressing
• a commercial RSD promo
• a standard pressing plant sample
This is:
The dedicated test pressing produced to validate the TYW metalwork for the RSD standalone reissue of Master of Reality.
It represents the final approval before the stampers were used for the retail RSD production.
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Track Listing
Side A
1. Sweet Leaf
2. After Forever
3. Embryo
4. Children of the Grave
Side B
1. Orchid
2. Lord of This World
3. Solitude
4. Into the Void
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Condition
• Vinyl: Unplayed, pristine white label
• Sleeve: Original poly-lined factory sleeve with production sticker
• Stored in a protective outer
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