Uriah Heep were formed by vocalist David Byron and guitarist Mick Box in the
late '60s along with keyboardist Ken Henlsey and together they helped define
the British progressive heavy metal sound of the 70's, even inspiring much of
the NWOBHM scene of the 80's. Hensley eventually moved on and recorded with
Blackfoot. Uriah Heep has gone through
so many members over the years that they put Spinal
Tap to shame, having had over 30 different members throughout the years.
Uriah Heep - Salisbury (Mercury) 1970
1."High Priestess"
(3:39)
2."The Park" (5:38)
3."Time to Live" (4:02)
4."Lady in Black" (4:43)
5."Simon the Bullet Freak" (3:25)
6."Salisbury" (16:22)
An early mixture of progressive and psychedelic rock. Can't say I was overly impressed upon hearing this disc for the first time. A few songs have a slight Black Sabbath heavy metal vibe, although whatever someone slipped into the band's drink seems to be more prominent than the heavy metal they would soon help to create.
Uriah Heep - Look at Yourself (Mercury) 1971
1. "Look at Yourself"
(5:07)
2. "I Wanna Be Free" (3:59)
3. "July Morning" (10:36)
4. "Tears in My Eyes" (5:02)
5. "Shadows of Grief" (8:40)
6. "What Should Be Done" (4:13)
7. "Love Machine" (3:37)
"Look At Yourself" is one of the album covers that truly looses something when shrunk down to CD size. The original vinyl version had a reflective foil cover in the mirror area so that you could actually look at yourself. Get it? Without that reflective surface, the artwork is abysmal. But what of the music? Many would say that Uriah Heep's third album is one of their finest. I wouldn't necessarily disagree, although "Look At Yourself" probably wouldn't be my number one. (That distinction would probably go to "Demons & Wizards). However, there is no denying that "Look At Yourself" is one of the band's top release. Mic Box's guitar work is out front, where it needs to me. Opening with the title track it busts out of the gates some demented heavy metal stallion. Indeed, Uriah Heep were one of the early proto-metal bands, even if you would be hard pressed to call this metal decades later. "July Morning" is one of Heep's most recognizable songs. "I Wanna Be Free" and "Tears In My Eyes" are excellent rock songs that have a sound not unlike Deep Purple, employing a thick hammond organ and heavy guitar style. "What Should Be Done" is a piano based track. "Love Machine" is a 4 minute hard rocker that finishes off the album.
This CD has been remastered and re-released, with bonus tracks by Sanctuary Records. I'm still keeping my eyes open for a copy of the re-release.
The title track has covered by Gamma Ray.
Uriah Heep - Demons and Wizards (Mercury) 1972
1. "The Wizard"
(2:59)
2. "Traveller in Time" (3:26)
3. "Easy Livin'" (2:37)
4. "Poet's Justice" (4:14)
5. "Circle of Hands" (6:27)
6. "Rainbow Demon" (4:30)
7. "All My Life" (2:46)
8. "Paradise" (5:10)
9. "The Spell" (7:32)
BONUS TRACKS
10. "Why" [single version] (4:53)
11. "Why" [extended version] (7:40)
12. "Home Again To You" (5:29)
Uriah Heep's most well known and popular album, mostly due to the Ken Hensley penned hit "Easy Livin'". This is a masterpiece and among the band's best early discs. However, listening to this disc now it's hard to believe this was labeled 'heavy metal' in the early 70's. The band's sound was heavy, but was a mixture of guitars and Hammond Organ, as opposed to the more riff oriented metal of the late 70's through today. Mick Box does rip out some cool riffs, although they are just not as out front due to Hensley's organ. "Demons & Wizards" is a spooky sort of cd, sounding ancient and a bit haunting, despite the few pop leanings of "Easy Livin'" and "All My Life.". Mostly it just has this gothic fog that hangs over it giving it an ambiance that is hard to explain in words. I suppose it's just that odd mix of psychedelia and heavy metal being married together that gives "Demons & Wizards" it's charisma. This particular remastered version contains three bonus tracks. The epic version of "Why" has never before been released in any form. The remastered version also contains an extensive full color booklet with photos, lyrics, bio and some liner notes by Mick Box and Ken Hensley. The cover art is also of interest as it was created by Roger Dean who was most noted for his work with Yes. "Easy Livin'" has been covered by W.A.S.P.; and Blackfoot. "The Wizard" has been covered by Blind Guardian.
Uriah Heep - The Magician's Birthday (Mercury) 1972
1. "Sunrise"
(4:04)
2. "Spider Woman" (2:25)
3. "Blind Eye" (3:33)
4. "Echoes in the Dark" (4:48)
5. "Rain" (3:59)
6. "Sweet Lorraine" (4:13)
7. "Tales" (4:09)
8. "The Magician's Birthday" (10:23)
"Magician's Birthday" is the magnificent follow-up to the equally important "Demons and Wizards" and was recorded in the same year. It was also the second Heep album by the classical line-up featuring Hensley, Byron, Box, Thain and Kerslake. In my opinion, Uriah Heep were at the top of their game here. If the ten minute title track doesn't convince you, then surely the beautiful "Rain", the rocking opener "Sunrise" or the incredibly catchy "Sweet Lorraine" will. David Byron is an excellent vocalist. Even the cover artwork done by the legendary Roger Dean is incredible and is really the face of one of the best albums to come out of the British heavy metal scene in the early 1970's.
Unfortunately this classic line-up didn't last long. The band toured relentlessly which led to many problems in the years that would follow. Bass guitarist Gary Thain developed a serious drug problem, which led to him nearly being electrocuted onstage a few years later. He was kicked out of the band, and died of an overdose in 1977. David Byron stuck around for two more albums, but was also booted from the group, apparently for drinking too much. He went onto release a couple solo albums before dying in 1984. Ken Hensley left the band in 1980 and later went on to join US. Southern rockers Blackfoot.
Uriah Heep - Live (Mercury) 1973
1. "Introduction"
(:50)
2. "Sunrise" (4:09)
3. "Sweet Lorraine" (5:01)
4. "Traveller in Time" (3:37)
5. "Easy Livin'" (2:59)
6. "July Morning" (11:55)
7. "Tears in My Eyes" (5:01)
8. "Gypsy " (14:07)
9. "Circle of Hands" (8:58)
10. "Look at Yourself" (7:29)
11. "The Magician's Birthday" (1:45)
12. "Love Machine" (3:27)
Hailed as a classic by many. Have even read a few reviews that put this on the same level as Deep Purple-Made in Japan. Unfortunately I never familiarized myself with Uriah Heep when they were popular so I wouldn't yet rank it up as one of my all time favorite live albums. Listening now however, I see that I missed out on a very cool band. As with most 70's bands, Uriah Heep tend to extend their songs out, adding and changing from the album version, which I always thought made for a better listen overall. I've heard it said that live albums are an end of an era for a band, and from the biographies I have read, this is true of Uriah Heep as well. Before this live album the band were cutting edge progressive rock mixed with early 70's heavy metal. After this album the quality of their music supposedly went downhill up until about the time of NWOBHM revival and their "Abomingo" release. Accordingly the band's popularity began to waver. Well, this all be true or not, they left us with one stellar live testament and a good size catalogue of classic studio releases. Must also mention that this album will make my top list of all time worst album covers
Uriah Heep - Abominog (Castle) 1982
1. "Too
Scared to Run" (3:49)
2. "Chasing Shadows" (4:39)
3. "On the Rebound" (3:14)
4. "Hot Night in a Cold Town" (4:03)
5. "Running All Night (with the Lion)" (4:28)
6. "That's the Way That it Is" (4:06)
7. "Prisoner" (4:33)
8. "Hot Persuasion" (3:48)
9. "Sell Your Soul" (5:25)
10. "Think it Over" (3:42)
I have had several e-mails suggesting that I should get more Uriah Heep and give them more of a chance. Well after borrowing a few of their earlier album I am now hooked and have added some of their cds to my want list. I found this used European import for a mere .99 cents. First of all, the cover is just so 'cute,' aint it? (yea right!) Well, with a cover as disturbing as this I was expecting music that was a bit darker. What I discovered was a decent NWOBHM disc. Perhaps, Uriah Heep are not traditionally considered a NWOBHM band, but certainly this cd sounds much like what was coming out of that movement in the early 80's. Melodic, yet aggressive, hook laden hard rock. The songs range from furious guitar heavy rockers to mid-tempo AOR rockers, like a slightly heavier Foreigner.. New vocalist, Peter Goalby sounds like a cross between Lou Gramm and Rick Medlocke. Two cool covers in Russ Ballard's 'On the Rebound' and D.B. Cooper's 'Prisoner.'
Uriah Heep - Raging Silence (Enigma) 1989
1. "Hold Your Head
Up" (4:34)
2. "Blood Red Roses" (4:10)
3. "Voice on My TV" (4:19)
4. "Rich Kid" (4:49)
5. "Cry Freedom" (4:31)
6. "Bad Bad Man" (4:09)
7. "More Fool You" (3:34)
8. "When the War Is Over" (5:09)
9. "Lifeline" (4:52)
10. "Rough Justice" (4:24)
11. "Miracle Child" (4:11)
12. "Look at Yourself" (7:20)
13. "Too Scared to Run" -live (3:58)
14. "Corina" -live (4:46)
15. "Hold Your Head Up" (5:53)
16. "Blood Red Roses" (4:53)
A poppy, keyboard infested, hard rock album from Mick Box and a host of new members, including Lou Graham sound alike Bernie Shaw. Actually at times, I also heard a bit of Bruce Dickinson in Bernie's voice. The cd as a whole has a sound similar to a slightly heavier Foreigner. The single for this disc "Blood Red Roses" did little for the band, but is actually a decent song. Most likely it was a lack of marketing and push that made the single fail, as opposed to the song just not doing well on it's own merit. Interesting choice of a cover in Argent's "Hold You Head Up." As far as I know this is one of the few Uriah Heep discs that has not bee re-issued in recent years. This Enigma version was quite the find. (Thanks James)
Uriah Heep - Lady in Black (Spectrum) 1994
1. "Lady
in Black" (4:40)
2. "Traveller in Time" (3:17)
3. "Easy Livin'" (2:35)
4. "Shady Lady" (4:48)
5. "Gypsy" (6:38)
6. "Lonely Nights" (4:11)
7. "Spider Woman" (2:27)
8. "Fallen Angel" (4:52)
9. "Sympathy" (4:49)
10. "Come Back to Me" (4:20)
11. "Carry On" (4:00)
12. "Love Stealer" (3:25)
13. "Think It Over" (3:30)
14. "Stay on Top" (3:38)
Never was much of a Uriah Heep fan. I guess it's that I just never familiarized myself with them. Anyhow, I found this compilation disc for $1 at a flea market and decided to give it a shot. This disc was actually my first introduction to the band. Not bad heavy rock and roll, some of it having a distinct Deep Purple vibe. Perhaps I will have check out more of their stuff in the future.
On vinyl:
Uriah Heep - s/t (Mercury) 1970