Everything old comes around again. For example, I first heard Uriah Heep in the early 1970s on 8-track cartridges, back when that format ruled the road. Back then, “Stealin’” and “Easy Livin’” were traveling anthems. In those days, we suffered through long breaks midway through such songs when the tape stopped and restarted to switch tracks. Now, hearing Uriah Heep as a download, those breaks have returned. This time the pauses interrupt the final notes of songs as the computer switches over to the next selection. Well, at least the pauses are shorter.
Back in 8-track days, Uriah Heep was a band in constant flux. The core members were David Byron (vocals), Mick Box (guitar), and Ken Hensley (keyboards). Each of these creative forces shared songwriting credits and built Heep’s early fusion of heavy metal and progressive rock. Forty years later, only Box remains. Like the song choices in the newly released Armenian concert, the current lineup represents different periods of the band’s development. Bassist Trevor Bolder joined in 1977 when Uriah Heep was still successful in Europe, Japan, and the Balkans, but largely forgotten in the States. Vocalist Bernie Shaw and Phil Lanzon (keyboards) joined in 1986. Both are now clearly significant contributors in the studio as well as on stage. The “baby” of the band is drummer Russell Gilbrook who came on board in 2007. Together, the new, improved Uriah Heep is a tight, dramatic, polished ensemble that may mix old and new songs together in their performances, but the power and style remains much the same as when it all began.
The concert captured in the 2 CD, 1 DVD collection from Frontiers Records came about when the group set out to celebrate their 40 year legacy. It’s interesting to note this was the first time Uriah Heep played in the former Soviet Republic, and the audience seems quite familiar with their catalogue. Crowd favorites from the very old days include “Gypsy,” “Lady in Black, “Tears in My Eyes,” and of course their biggest U.S. hits, “Stealin’” and “Easy Livin’.” They open the show with the title song from 2009's Wake the Sleeper followed by other operatic pieces like ”Overload,” “Tears of the World,” “July Morning,” and “Sunrise.”
Article comments
1 - Jay
Great review! You clearly captured what I hear on the album. My only question is did you download the album from a legit source? I downloaded from Amazon and hear none of the breaks between songs you mention.
2 - Wesley Britton
I got mine directly from Frontiers as a review copy. I'm delighted you had no problems.