Conference napalm::heavy_metal

    
    
    I have 1 of their albums, it's either The best of UH or UH live.
    I can't remember. I do remember that it is a Xcellent album.
    
    
    jeff

    I used to have 4 of their tapes ("Demons & Wizards", "Wonderworld",
    "Magicians Birthday" and whatever the album it was that contained the
    song "Stealin'").  
    
    Anyways, all of those tapes got ripped off and I ain't been able to
    find ANYTHING by UH since.
    
    Anyone know where I can get a hold of these tapes?
    
    cheers/mike

    
    
    MM, any Strawberries could order them for ya.
    
    scalz

    Thanks Scalz, I'll try them out; there's a Strawberries right down the
    street from me.
    
    I thought that maybe UH was out of print or something.
    
    Sure glad that they're not!
    
    cheers/mike

    
      Far from dead, I have quite a few selections on CD. I see more
    being released all the time. I also still like this band.
                                                              mike
    

    
    
Re:0 - I think you missed one album, "Head First". I forget the
    release date, but its between "Abominog" and "Equator" and is like
    "Abominog" but better! I think the latest "Raging Silence" is quite
    good too. I'm still trying to collect the early stuff, but have
    had "Demons and Wizards" & "Magicians Birthday" for ages. I've got
    two copies of the "Live" double, an original '73 version with gatefold
    sleeve and 'concert programme'/poster and a later reissue gatefold
    which plays better. 

    One of the compilations available in the UK is by Castle Communications
    on the Raw label (i think) called "Uriah Heeo - The Collection"
    and is a double spanning from "Very 'Eavy" to "Abominog"/"Head First"
    Recommended sampler if you don't want to buy all the albums.
    
    Favorite early song: Easy Livin' / Sweet Lorraine
    Favorite later song: Rock Overture/Red Lights
    
    /speedking
       

    Ref. .6
    Yes I've missed Head first as I only heard maybe one piece of that
    album but I'll search it on CD. Before I had all the LPs from "Very
    heavy.." to "Innocent victim" and also "Equator" and "Abominog". As I
    switched to CD I bought again all until "Magician's birthday" and
    "Abominog" and I still have on LP the "Live 1973". But I wait for the
    live on CD (if they do a single CD like Made in Japan is than it's very
    very fine !). "Raging silence" is very good too and contains some very
    great songs. I still love Heep very much. Even if David Byron leaved
    long time ago (I think I read that he died in 1983 ??? is it true ?)
    Heep has always choosed very good singers.
    Best regards, Sorin (a Heep fan from the begining)
    
    PS. Do you like Queensryche ? It's my second love after Heep.

    Hi,
    "Equator" is one of their best in the eighties, quite different from
    their seventies era but shows a musical progression. It was a good
    success for them. If you like them check the recommended list.
    Regards, Sorin V.

    Good topic Sorin!
         I saw Heep way back in '72 or '73 doing Magicians Birthday
    tour. Ripped my @#$%^& ears off! Blew the meat from the bones of
    many...especially when Mick and the drummer did the evil solo thing.
    
         I'm still listening to a compilation tape of my own which skims
    all the heavy tracks from 'eavy..'umble up to Birthday. I have to
    admit that Heep was the group that got me into playing guitar because
    for a beginner the chunky bar chords are fairly easy to manage and
    the solos are not too mind-boggling to learn. When I was 15, I put
    a band together and we played about 30% Heep, 30% Alice Cooper and
    maybe 15% Jethro Tull with assorted others thrown in. The Heep stuff
    was always fun 'cause you could power-chord all the way thru...like
    on "I Wanna be Free" and "Gypsy" and "Dreammare".
    
                                                    Tull Skull
    
         

Ref. .10
	Hi,
It was in 1977 when I saw Heep in Belgium at a concert. At that time John
Lawton was their singer (Firefly album). The best is that I met them at the
stage exit and obtained autographs. It was like a dream for me at that time.
I remember a girl asking her boyfriend what was the name of the guitarist
(Mick Box)..Mick Box heard her (in French) returned to her and answered
"Eric Clapton !" after he started to laugh. They were very friendly and the
concert very fine.
Regards, Sorin.

    All those Demons ..

    RE: 0
    
    I was reading the list but either you left out or i missed the
    name of the fourth album, if you don't mind could you or anyone
    else tell me the name, thanks,
    
    Tony
    

    
    Re last
    
      I confess to be a big Uriah Heep fan also. But the author of .0
    (Sorin) has much more info than I can remember. I always thought
    that Demons & Wizards was followed consecutively with The Magicians
    Birthday. If there was one in between it has slipped my mind.
    
                                       if memory serves
                                                        mike
    

    Ref. .14
    Here is the ordered LP list (I may miss something in their last years).
    1. Very Heavy Very 'Umble
    2. Salisbury
    3. Look At Yourself
    4. Demons And Wizards
    5. The Magician's Birthday
    6. Uriah Heep Live 1973
    7. Sweet Freedom
    8. Best of .. (I)
    9. Wonderworld
    10. Return To Fantasy
    11. High And Mighty
    12. Firefly
    13. Innocent Victim
    14. Best of .. (II & III)
    15. Fallen Angel (weak)
    16. Head First
    17. Abominog
    18. Equator
    19. Live in 1979 (weak)
    20. Live in USSR (never heard)
    21. Raging Silence (this year and is fine)
    22. The Collection (double best of)
    23. Milestones (double best of)
    
    Their new lead vocalist is named Bernie Shaw.
    There are also 2 LPs from Ken Hensley and 1 or 2 from David Byron.
    Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake have played before Heep in The Gods who
    featured also Greg Lake (ELP, King Crimson) and other future rock
    superstars.
    
    Best regards, Sorin.
    
    

There is a very good history and discography of Uriah Heep in the UK
magazine "Record Collector" (the february issue).
From there I know now that they have sold over 30 million records and that the
original singer, David Byron, died in february 1985 from a heart attack.
Their records are still selling well and they had very good success at the last
Reading festival in UK.
There are two videocassettes about them: one based on a 1974 tour, named "Easy
Livin'", and one based on the 1989 LP "Raging Silence".

Sorin

    been a fan since i was knee high to a grasshopper! the list of good
    tracks is endless down thro' the years.the cover of argents hold your
    head up is better than the originall,(in my opinion).
    
    						jim.

    Their last "Raging Silence" is excellent and contains some great songs
    which honour their best days. "Blood red roses", "Lifeline", "More fool
    you", "Rich kid" can stand between their very best songs. "Hold your
    head.." is also very fine. Mick Box remained the same guitar hero
    as allways he has been. And their very old songs (1970) still sound
    very fresh and full of energy and imagination.
    
    Sorin

    Hi,
    
    yesterday I saw them here here in Munich. Audience 250.
    Powerful great show. They have published a new album here in Germany
    14 days ago, called "STILL 'EAVY, STILL PROUD".
    2� hours nonstop music. It was an unforgettable event.
    
    Well, I've shaked them the hands, and Mick was friendly like always
    and I got his Nylon thing (he played guitar with it) as a present.
    
    BTW: Does anybody knows the name of the lead vocalist ?
    
    Rob.
    

    The actual vocalist is named Bernie Shaw and comes from a british band
    named Grand Prix. He's very good.
    I'm glad they have a new album and I'll watch for it. If someone listen
    this new album please give a review here.
    
    Sorin

    With 20 years of heavy metal music behind, Uriah Heep remains with
    Black Sabbath the oldest heavy metal bands and both are originators of
    heavy metal music.
    
    Sorin

    I just bought Saturday a video cassete titled "Easy Livin' - A History
    of Uriah Heep". It is a 70 mins. cassette, Hi Fi VHS, and covers a
    period since 1974 until 1985. There are 16 live tracks, all of a very
    good quality and few interviews with Ken Hensley (one of the founders
    of the band). Most songs come from a concert in 1974 when the band was
    at its very best including lead singer David Byron and bassist Gary
    Thain (both dead actually). It follows with 3 songs with John Lawton as
    lead vocalist (less presence than Byron but a phenomenal voice).
    There is one song with John Sloman as vocalist and all the last part is
    with Pete Goalby as vocalist (very good presence).
    I think this cassette is important to any Uriah Heep fan. They released
    a more recent one but that one contains their actual formula only and
    songs from their last "Raging silence".
    
    Sorin

  Has anyone heard/bought the new Heep compilation record "20 years in rock"?
  If so can you tell me what songs are on it, it is not yet available in
  any of the record shops round my area (Holland/Belgium).  Is it a double
  sider?


    GAZ

    
    
     I've been looking for it here in the States myself. Being a
    long time UH fan. I look through the CD bins when ever I'm out
    shopping and haven't found it either. I'd also like to know
    what will be on it too.
                             mike
    

    Re. last two
    
    I've seen the CD here in Brussels at FNAC. It's black and with an
    spread wings eagle on it (you have to guess that it has to do with
    Uriah Heep). I've seen it quickly and remember that there are about 12
    songs (?) of which Corinna and Mr. Majestic are from the Live in
    Moscow. It contains also the rock and roll meddle from the 1973 live
    album. It was covering also Abominog and Head First period and some
    from their early days. But what I've seen and missed on CD (in Paris at
    the Virgin megastore) were the double CD with the 1973 Live (imported
    from Japan) and the budget price "Sweet Freedom". I'll have them on my
    next trip. The 1973 Live is really rare on CD and it's one of their
    very best.
    
    Here I was on a July morning.. (well it's 6pm and I go on holiday for 2
    weeks),
    See you next time,
    Sorin
    
    PS. GAZ, are you located close to Brussels ?

    Hi Sorin,

    Thnaks for the info.  Where is FNAC? Is that the metal shop opposite 
    Place Fontainas?

    The album if only a single sounds a bit boring as I already have
    the live 73 album.  Incidentally I can get you that from Den Haag if
    you want.

    Yep, I live in Brussels, near the Grand Sablon.  We've got to
    meet up for a beer sometime after you come back from holiday.  Where ya
    goin?

Dear all,
	The last few notes prompted me to dig out a past copy of 
"METAL HAMMER" which included a review of said opus. The version of MH that
I read is specific to the UK.

Anyhow, the following is a listing of what's on the set, 
reproduced (without permission) from Metal Hammer 
(Vol 5, No. 15, July 16th 1990):

URIAH HEEP
'Two Decades in Rock'
5 record boxed set
(Castle Communications)

Tracks:

Record 1:
	Gypsy, Come Away Melinda, I'll Keep On Trying, Lady In Black,
	Salisbury, The Park

Record 2:
	Look At Yourself, July Morning, Tears In My Eyes, Love Machine,
	The Wizard, Traveller In Time, Easy Livin', The Magician's Birthday,
	Spider Woman

Record 3:
	Rain, Sweet Lorraine, Sweet Freedom, Stealin', Circus, Wonderworld,
	Suicidal Man, Something Or Nothing, Return To Fantasy, Shady, Lady,
	Prima Donna

Record 4:
	Weep In Silence, Can't Keep A Good Man Down, Who Needs Me, Wise Man,
	Firefly, Free'n'Easy, Free Me, Tea Dance, Fallen Angel, It Ain't Easy

Record 5:
	Come Back To Me, Chasing Shadows, That's the Way It Is, Stay On Top,
	The Other Side OIf Midnight, Rockerama, Holding On, 
	Poor Little Rich Girl, Blood Red Roses, Voice On My TV, More Fool You.

Now I can't say for sure whether this is the selection available in all 
formats in all countries. However, I quote from the review (again, without
permission):

       "There is too little space available to go into detail about 
	individual tracks, all that needs to be said is that if you
	fail to see the genius behind classics like "July Morning"
	or "gypsy" (originally recorded on an 8-track!) then you need
	your head examining. Although there are other fine compilations
	around such as "Still Heavy, Still Proud"...this is by far the
	best in terms of its comprehensive coverage and value for money.
	A five album record boxed set, or three CD set will set you back
	a mere 19.95 (Keef's note: For the non UK listeners this value
	is in Sterling)! The price includes a wonderful booklet detailing
	the history of 'Heep full of anecdotes and archive pictures."

Having entered all this and reading the review again, I reckon that my
bank manager is going to be short of another 20 quid!!

Hope this helps,
	Keef.

Wow thanks Keef.  That sounds like a definite must have for my collection.
Most of my albums are wearing a bit thin now, but I cant really afford to 
upgrade them all to CD.  This, together with the live concert album will
keep me listening to Heep for the next nn years.

Thanks again.


GAZ

    Wow, I'm happy first to find all of you again in the HM notes !
    
    Thank you also Keef for the precious information. I think I'll buy the
    compilation even if I already have their most important CDs. This seems
    to be one of the best compilation available for a band and show how
    many good things Heep created and still creates. I highly recommend it
    just because I know all the songs and I can say it's high quality.
    
    Sorin

    I got in Paris "Sweet freedom" (1973) on CD in mid-price series. As I
    had it years before on LP I enjoy listening it with all the dynamics
    and no distortion. The musical effect is intact and all the songs are
    excellent, "Pilgrim", "If I had the time", "Stealin'",the title
    track beeing some of the best songs of Heep. I like the album even more
    than years ago.
    Albums (now on CD) like "Look at yourself", "Salisbury", "Demons and
    wizards", "Magician's birthday" and "Sweet freedom" are highly
    recommended to anyone who wants to hear how in the seventies the
    conceptual heavy rock was born (and don't worry about sound quality
    because it's excellent).
    
    sorin

    Uriah Heep will be at London Town & Country Club for a concert on 11th
    October.
    
    Sorin

    Wow ! I just found at the public library the "Live in January 1973"
    which was originally a double LP. I sought in time a double CD japanese
    import but this new one is on a single CD !! The bad thing is that I
    couldn't find it in any shop, so I'll have to order it in UK (it's
    Castle Communications who released it in 1990).
    This concert is for Heep what "Made in Japan" was for Deep Purple, a
    definitive collector's item, classic metal.
    It's on my urgent buy list.
    
    Sorin

    I listened the "Live 1973" CD all the weekend. 77 minutes of heavy
    metal ending with rock classics in a meddley. High recording quality
    and heavy punching.
    Highly recommended CD.
    
    Sorin

Dear me! I didn't realise the '73 live album was still available. I have it
at home and remembering harrassing my parents into giving to me as a Christmas
pressy. As you say, and excellent album and well recorded.

If any of you have a chance to get hold of this album I strongly recommend it.
Particularly if you can get hold of the original version. This (as has been
mentioned) was a double album. Inside is a mini booklet containing photos
of each band member (shot on the same tour, if memory serves me right) along
with the usual gratuitous write up from a rock journalist. 

The most interesting bit is the record sleeves. These contained reprints of 
some of the reviews the band had received until that date. Classics that 
stick in my mind are the review in Melody Maker of the 1st album that 
descibed the band as "tenth-rate, watered-down Jethro Tull" and promised
some personal abuse if the band ever made it (the band is still around but
that journo seems to have disappeared). 

Another was the time they were touring as support to T. Rex (at the height 
of that groups fame) in the US. According to the review they blew T. Rex 
off stage and all through the main act's set the audience kept chanting for 
the Heep. Mark Bolan was incredibly upset by this and threw UH off the tour! 

Finally there is a headline from an album review page of one of the UK 
rock magazines at the time of Magician's Birthday (I can't remember exactly
which album) that declared:

	HEEP SHOCK!   THEY'RE GOOD!!!!!

Ah, those were the days!

Keef.

>JANUS::FAGG "Heavy and LOUD!!"                       31 lines  25-OCT-1990 10:54
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>                    -< You make an old man feel very happy >-

Heep still has a strong and steady following of 'old' fans (it's normal after 
20 years, we are older) but they manage to attract also new fans. I read in the
last Metal Hammer an article about the last Heep live in London in front of over
18,000 .. bikers. A great show (the best the article author has seen this year).
Now back to "Live 1973", at that moment Uriah Heep was the heaviest band in the
world but the album proved that musicality, intelligence and heavyness can work
very fine together. But Uriah Heep had in the early seventies very little 
success with the rock press which always underrated them. The time proved in
exchange the great value of their works and this is what finally counts.

Since 1970 when I discovered them the first time (beeing at that time into
Led Zep, Purple and Sabbath among others) I never liked a band so much with
the only exception beeing (17 years after, in 1987) Queensr�che. And this 
because Queensr�che came to continue the tradition of conceptual heavy metal
and brought it to new dimensions (as a little observation, Queensr�che and Heep
have both put much emphasis on strong lead vocals plus strong backing vocals).

Glad the Heep fans are already there !
Sorin

I listened yesterday night "Still 'eavy still proud (two decades in rock)".
I thought before that it was a simple compilation but it's more than that.
The CD contains a mixture of live recordings made in 1989 by the actual band,
a 1990 remix (for single release) of "Blood red roses" ("Raging silence" 1989)
and 3 songs with the previous 3 singers.
The actual band is Bernie Shaw (lead vocals ex-Grand Prix), Phil Lanzon 
(keyboards and vocals ex-Grand Prix), Mick Box (lead guitar and Heep founder),
Trevor Boulder (bass in Heep since 1977) and Lee Kerslake (drums, old Heep
member).
Here are the songs:

Gipsy (live 1989)
July morning (live 1989)
Easy living (live 1989)
Free me (from "Innocent victim" 1977 sung by John Lawton)
The easy road (from "Wonderworld" 1974, sung by David Byron)
The other side of midnight (from "Head first" 1982 ?, sung by Pete Goalby)
Mr. Majestic (live 1989)
Blood red roses (1990 remix of the 1989 original)

Mr. Majestic appeared before only on the 1987 "Live in Moscow" and it's a very
fine song (Phil Lanzon opens the lead vocals on this song).
The album is well recommended for fans.

Sorin

On MTV's Headbanger's Ball they announced Uriah Heep is preparing a new album
"Different world" to be released in january/february 1991.

Sorin

    Finally I found (at the public library and not in the shops
    unfortunately) "Innocent victim" and "Head first" on CDs.
    
    I had already IV few years ago, so I knew it. But relistening it now
    from CD gives it a new life and I really like it. IV includes a more
    funkier approach (1979) together with few traditional Heep songs.
    "The dance", one of the best songs, has a reggae rhythm while keeping
    the Heep musical marks. "Free'n easy" is a pure rocker and "Choices" a
    sample of typical Heep grandiose music. The recording is as usual very
    fine.
    
    "Head first" has to be one of the best Heep albums in the eighties
    (1983) and is a very (musically) rich album. 10 excellent songs with
    high class production. Rockers but also intense ballads.
    
    Useless to say, I recommend both these albums (sure I'm an old Heep
    fan..).
    
    Sorin (who desperately waits for the new "Different world" to be
    released in Belgium).

    Hi Sorin,
    
    I saw Different World in Holland.  Was very tempted to buy it but at 38
    dutch guilders it is a bit steep, especially as the review was not
    great.  I have not heard the Head First album and will now definitely
    make an effort to pick it up.
    
    
    Ga-ZAZ also a great Heep fan
    
    

    Hi Ga-ZAZ,
    
    The review of "Different world" in Metal Hammer was very good and it
    had 4.4 points being the second of the issue's album top after David
    Lee Roth's last (4.5 points). There were quoted about 20 albums.
    But who knows ?
    
    Sorin

    I got it ! I have the new "Different world" album and the review will
    follow probably tomorrow. For the moment here are the song titles:
    
    Blood on stone
    Which way will the wind blow
    All god's children
    All for one
    Different world
    Step by step
    Seven days
    First touch
    One on one
    Cross that line
    Stand back
    
    The album was produced by Trevor Bolder.
    The actual Uriah Heep (same formula as for "Raging silence") is:
    
    Mick Box		- guitars, vocals
    Lee Kerslake	- drums, vocals
    Trevor Bolder	- bass, vocals
    Phil Lanzon		- keyboards, vocals
    Bernie Shaw		- lead vocals
    
    The CD I bought was released by Legacy Rec. Ltd. and Roadrunner Records.
    
    Coming back soon with a review,
    Sorin

    The album is 'so so' for me. Enough said. If you want Uriah Heep music
    check for one of the previous albums.
    
    Sorin

    So the final death of Uriah Heep.  If Sorin gives it a 'so so' rating
    then it probably means that it is really bad (^8*, eh Sorin?  Be
    honest!  Me an Sorin are the long standing Heepies in this conf so if
    we don't like it then nobody will!
    
    
    GAZ

You are right GAZ, I believe this album marks the end of UH. "Raging silence"
was probably their swan song. "Different world" is just one more (flat) light
rock album. But I'll search for their previous albums which I still don't have
on CD.

Sorin

    
      I quit buying UH releases after Raging Silence.....I was hooked
    on Uriah Heep during the days of "Look at Yourself","Demons and
    Wizards","Return to Fantasy".......but as they died big time after
    that.
    
                               R.B.

    I bought Abominog and it rools,don't know about later stuff.
    
    
    
                                    Staynz

    Re-1.  Yes Abominog was kind of a return to past glories, but it was
    the exception in my opinion.  There is also too many live compilation
    albums floating about for my liking; Live in Moscow and Live in Brum 73
    are the best of the bunch, but avoid rubbish like 'Shepperton 74' etc
    as the recording quality is very poor.   Sorin is definitely the
    acknowledged Heep expert as far as I am concerned, so what he says
    goes.  I would probably like to collect all UH albums anyway for
    completeness and for sentimental reasons!
    
    
    GAZ

"Abominog" is very good but also "Head first" and "Equator" are equally good
(with a slight preference for "Head first"). On all three albums the singer is
Pete Goalby (he was also in Trapeze) and I like his voice. The bassist on
"Head first" (and I think on "Abominog" also) is Bob Daisley (later joining
Ozzy). All this 3 albums represent the successful return of Heep in 1983-1985.
"Raging silence" (1988) is also a good album.
I agree there are too many compilations (I own none of them).
As Mike says their most classical albums remain the first seven:
"Very 'eavy very 'umble", "Salisbury", "Look at yourself", "Demons and wizards",
"The magician's birthday", "Live 1973" and "Sweet freedom".
"Return to fantasy" (with John Wetton on bass) was their best selling in UK
(1975) and "Innocent victim", while not being considered one of the best, has
been a great success in Germany (over 1 million sold in 1977).
Their most commercial album (which I like only partially) was "Fallen angel".
"Wonderworld", "High and mighty" and especially "Firefly" are also very fine.
The albums released by the main song writer of the classical Heep, Ken Hensley
(keyboards and guitars), are not as strong as you could imagine and most of
all .. not heavy.
One more important thing, on any of their albums there are at least one or two
killing ballads. "Demons.." is their most accomplished album in my opinion,
"Salisbury" the most influenced by classical music and "Look.." their heaviest.

Sorin 

    Sorry, I wanted to mention R.B. not Mike in the previous reply.
    
    Sorin

    I relistened "Different world" again and the impression is not much
    better. The compositions are fine, they play fine but ... it has little
    to do with the originality of Uriah Heep. Too commercial.
    In exchange, "Head first" is a very good album whith many catchy songs.
    
    Sorin 

I got now "High and mighty" and "Fallen angel" on CD (thanx GAZ).

I knew HaM since 1976 but I haven't listened it since early eighties. It sounds
very well and the voice of David Byron is great. All the compositions are by
Ken Hensley (two with John Wetton as co-author). John Wetton plays excellent
bass and few other instruments on the album (Mellotron also). It's an album
where UH used quite a variety of instruments and the compositions show also
quite much variety (from heavy to funky, passing by traditional rock).
The strongest moments are the heavy opening rocker "One way or another" and the
ballads "Weep in silence" and "Footsteps in the snow".
Well recommended.

"Fallen angel" is a more melodic album and contains few real 'hits' of which
the best is the ballad "Come back to me". It's not exactly a HM album but more
of an AOR one. The first time I listened it (2 years ago) I was not impressed
but now as I relistened the CD, I like it quite much.

Sorin

    Picked up 2 new (for me) Heep albums this weekend.  Firefly and
    Wonderworld.  Wonderworld was still with the original Heep lineup while
    Firefly had Laughton and Bolder.  Unfortunately, I was left unimpressed by
    both of these albums.  I still regard Magicians Birthday as the best
    ever Heep album, followed by Demons and Wizards, Salisbury, Very eavy,
    very umble, Abominog, Raging Silence, Live 73 and Live in Moscow.  Mind
    you, there are still several eep albums out there that I have not
    heard.  Notably 'Equator' and 'Return to Fantasy'.  The two I picked up
    this weekend were at a nice price (6 quid each) so OK if you want to
    build up your collection of a classic band, but not good introductory
    stuff.
    
    
    GAZ

Re. GAZ

I think you'll love Firefly after few listenings. Sympathy, Do You Know, Wise
Man, The Hanging Tree are very fine. I think the production misses some punch.
Wonderworld is one of their less impressing albums but for a fan like me it
expresses well their situation at that time.
Have you listened the "Head First" and "High and Mighty" albums ? I have not
yet seen "Equator" on CD but I have it on LP and I like it. It's the same style
as "Abominog" and "Head First".

If you have the occasion, listen also "Different World". It's very different
than usual Heep but it still has some fine moments.

Sorin

   Re. a couple back;
    
       Definitely check out High And Might - IMO Heep at their best and I
    believe their last with Byron on vocals. Return To Fantasy has its
    moments, a great album never the less but probably from the same
    sesions and in the same influence as WonderWorld - just not as raw.
    A few more listens to WonderWorld should make it one of your favorites.
    
    -Steve S.

Re. Steve

I also find "High and mighty" one of the most (musically) ambitious albums of
UH. It contains excellent songs from the violent "One way or another" to the
complex ballads "Footprints in the snow" and "Weeps in silence". A variated
album with very intelligent compositions and arangements. It sounds even
better and uptodate after 15 years. One of my very favourites.
"Wonderworld" is one of the less immediate albums of Heep but it resists fine to
repeated listening and grows on you. It contains some excellent vocal harmonies
in the best Heep tradition.
I relisten now their last album, "Different world" which contains also fine
songs but which I find quite far from usual Heep.
It's good now that all the Heep albums are on CD (with the exception of
"Equator", another good album).

Sorin

    Few months ago, I bought "Conquest" on special price CD. It's one of
    the most curious albums of Heep and very singular. The lead vocalist
    was (for one album) John Sloman which definetly had a voice and singing
    style completly different from usual Heep style. For a fan this is
    quite surprising. However JS brought also a different touch to the
    band's music (more easy listening also). At the time of writing this I
    listen quite often the CD especially because of some excellent slower
    songs like "Fools" and "Out on the street" (this is usual Heep
    trademark, I mean, at least one excellent ballad on every album).
    "Conquest" is much more an AOR album than HM and surely their lightest
    musically speaking.
    
    Sorin

    
    UH fans!
    
    I have no UH albums at all, but I'm interested in building up a
    collection.  I've read through here and got a lot of info, but the
    place I'm buying from doesn't have all the CD's.  So...
    
    Given a choice between:
    
       Demons and Wizards
       Look at Yourself
       Salisbury
       Magician's Birthday
       Wonderworld
    
    How about an opinion on first album?  I'm looking for major 70's/early
    80's typs stuff, heavy, but musical, long songs are better,
    instrumentals and solos are cool.
    
    Thanks for any help!
    
    P.S. I'm leaning toward "Demons...."
    

    
    Being a long time Uriah Heep fan, of the ones you listed here are my
    favorites in order.
    
    Look At Yourself
    Demons & Wizards
    Salisbury
    Magicians Birthday
    Wonderworld
    
     I also wish they would release more of UH material.
    
                                                            mike
    
    

    Demons and Wizards
    Magicians Birthday
    ... and there's a double LIVE album that is *great*
    
    
    Jerry

>WONDER::REILLY "More 'Itchy and Scratchy!!!!'"       23 lines  19-MAY-1992 08:55

I feel happy when this topic gets re-activated .. :-)

My opinion is close to Mike's:

Demons and Wizards
Look at Yourself
Salisbury (it contains the lengthy and very classy title track)
Very 'eavy very 'umble (the first one containing 'Gipsy' and other gems)
Magician's Birthday
Live 1973 (essential live album)
Sweet Freedeom
High and Mighty
Return to Fantasy
Wonderworld

There are also the rest .. which I like. UH is expensive to collect with their
over 20 original albums and the compilations (over 6).
In Europe they have released on CD recently all the albums with the exception of
'Equator'. And, with the exception of 'Live 1973' and the most recent two
albums ('Raging Silence' and 'Different World'), the rest were released as
special price. They even released a 'best of' Ken Hensley (which does not
compare to Heep general stuff, although Ken has written many of the Heep
songs). I haven't seen any David Byron album (alone or with 'Rough Diamond') on
CD. The first album released by DB was quite Heep like (Mick Box and Lee
Kerslake were playing for the album).

The latest album to date, 'Different World' (1991) is quite different from their
classics (more melodic oriented rock but still quite heavy). I did not enjoyed
it the first time but now I listen it very often.

This band has been in continuous evolution and very creative. They started as
one of the heaviest bands at their time but they kept being also a progressive
rock band. Part of the influence (at least in the beginning) came from
classical music (Salisbury album is a fine example of classical influence with
no tendency to pseudo-classicism).

'Abominog' and 'Head First' (with Pete Goalby singing) are also excellent and
different from David Byron time. They still have the Heep 'touch'.

Enjoy !
Sorin

    The double Live album is great! 
    
    It's also the only one I have ov them.
    
    jeff

Re. Jeff

'Live 1973' has been released on a single CD. There are two versions:
one is the full containing the rockn'roll medley (77 mins) and the other one,
released by Mercury, doesn't contain the medley (68 mins ?) but seems to
have been re-mixed and has an updated sound. Both are excellent in any case.

Sorin

    I never cared for that medley anyway ...

    
    Well, I bought my first Uriah Heep - Demon's and Wizards, and I really
    like it!  Thanks for all the pointers.
    
    You gotta a love a band that's not afraid of a 12 minute diatribe, but
    I'm a long song fanatic.  I lot of times I'll look at a new and unknown
    CD, and put it back because the band didn't have any songs over 4
    minutes.  Very 70's sound...  This *has* to be one of the bands Spinal
    Tap was trying to hone in on.  Well, I'll probably pick up a few more
    from these guys, but right now I'm off to learn what Humble Pie
    (another band I don't know very well) CD I should start with.
    
    - Sean

    
     Sean,
    
      Definately get "Look At Yourself" by Uriah Heep. My Fave. That album
    could hold its own up against most anything Metal these days.
    
    
      Humble Pie, If you like live recordings, "Rockin The Fillmore" is a
    great hi energy rock album (CD) and catches HP at their peak. Great 
    Stuff.
    
             mike
    

Uriah Heep included longer songs on their albums till their 6th album
("Sweet Freedom").

"Look at yourself", which is their heaviest album (1971) is also progressive
and includes some longer songs like "July morning" (one of the first 'power
ballads' with Manfred Mann participating for Moog playing) and 
"Shadows of grief". All the songs are excellent and variated including
storm rockers like "Look at yourself" (Osibissa drummers doing the song ending),
"The love machine" and "Tears in my eyes".
"Look at yourself" appeared on a double special price CD together with
"Very 'eavy very 'umble" (the first Heep album, also excellent).

The longest Heep song (and most complex) has to be "Salisbury" (15 mins) from
their second album (.."Salisbury"). Classical influences (listen "The park").

"Magician's birthday" is very close to "Demons.." but still different.

"Sweet Freedom" is itself a long song together with "Pilgrim" (very dramatic
with superb vocals and guitar breaks .. not forgetting that organ sound so
dear to Uriah Heep). Both songs on the "Sweet freedom" album.

I think also that part of the "Spinal Tap" story was inspired among others
by part of the Heep story. Uriah Heep has changed many drummers till "Demons..".
Each album was coming with a new drummer..

In later days Heep has abandonned the long songs but on "Head first" they still
included "Rock overture/Red lights" which recalls a bit their older days.

For people who don't want to buy the many Heep CDs, there is an excellent
'best of' on 3 CDs (3 times 70+ minutes) which contains great stuff and a
history booklet.

I like many bands but Heep remains my all time favorite with Queensryche very
close to them on my personal preferences list (and in classical music I love
Brahms the most). Ahead of their time creativity, musical quality and great
vocals (lead and background) are common points between Uriah Heep and
Queensryche.

Sorin
Wow, now I have to go back and listen some Heep .. 

    
    
     Sorin, I know what you mean. Last night after writing in this note I
    cranked, and I do mean cranked the title cut from "Look At Yourself"
    That song is TRUELY a classic and is Heep at it finest. Like you said
    the end of that song with the Hammond screamin and all those drummers
    jammin is one POWERFUL sound. Another of my favorites on that album and
    a tune I used to cover is "Tears In My Eyes". Haven't listened to that
    one in a long time. I'm with you, Uriah Heep will always be one of my
    favorite bands to listen to. I just wish I had more on CD, some of my
    Heep albums are pretty old.
                                 mike
    
    

Re. Mike

I discovered Heep by listening "Look at yourself". At that time I was into
Black Sabbath and Deep Purple and when I've heard Uriah Heep it just has blown
me off. After LaY, I've listened the previous albums and this deepened my 
interest in Heep. Years ago I had all their albums and once the CD appeared
I switched to.

Mick Box had very effective guitar solos ("I'll keep on trying" from "Ver 'eavy
.." is a real killer for example) and when Ken Hensley was leaving his classical
sounding organ for a second lead guitar (like on "Tears in my eyes") the
effect was even greater.

David Byron (RIP) had one of the best voices and incredible charisma. The rest
of the singers were also top class.

Gary Thain (RIP) was playing bass in a unique way (John Wetton was also 
excellent but participating on only two albums). On the live album Gary's bass
makes wonders.

Lee Kerslake was/is an excellent drummer and last but not least Ken Hensley
remains one of those who established a very clear role for the keyboards in
a heavy rock band (Purple's Jon Lord also).

Speaking about keyboards, I think there are only few bands which make a really
good usage of it (as a main and not a background sound instrument). Ken and
Jon Lord were very classy in their playing.

I'm glad you played Heep music Mike. Me, I'm just a listener although I would
have enjoyed to play some instrument in a heavy rock band.

Sorin

    
     I must admit that your knowledge of Uriah Heep is impressive. I don't
    even know half the facts that you post here! There are some great early
    Heep material that I love, especially:
    "Gypsy" and "Turn Away Malinda" from the 1st album.
    "Lady In Black" from Salisbury, what a haunting song both lyrically and
    musically. Well, I could go on because I have so many favorites.
    
                                                                 mike
    

    Need some input here folks...
    
    UH (with Nazareth as support) have just confirmed a gig in this quaint
    little 'ol town of ours in rural, backwater Bavaria.
    
    Question is : Are these guys still worth shelling out a sizeable sum of
    money to see or are have they passed away, but somebody forgot to tell
    them ? 
    
    Anybody got any recent experiences of seeing them live ?
    
    Who's currently in the band (other than Mick Box) ?
    
    When did they last put material out ?
    
    FWIW I was heavily into Heep back around the "Abominog" / "Equator"
    period and picked up "Demons and Wizards" in addition to the 2 albums
    above, so I have a fair appreciation of their classic & middle phase
    of their career.
    
    Any input appreciated...Sorin...where are you....
    
    Tom

    Here I am Tom ! (Uriah Heep is a magic formula which wakes me up :-) )
    
    I haven't seen Heep live since many years but I've read quite often
    that they are still strong live in the current formula. Few replies
    earlier there is a good mention of one of their most recent concerts in
    Germany. They have so many good songs and such experience that it's
    difficult not to play very well live.
    
    The current band is composed by Mick Box (guitars), Lee Kerslake
    (drums), Trevor Boulder (bass), Phil Lanzon (keyboards) and Bernie Shaw
    (vocals). Their two most recent albums are 'Raging Silence' (very good)
    in 1989 and 'Different World' (good) in 1991.
    
    I've heard some recent live recordings of the current band (including
    recent compositions and well known classics) and they were very good.
    
    Now it's up to you to decide :-)
    
    Sorin

    Thanks Sorin...I knew UH would catch your interest pretty quickly!
    
    For the moment I'm inclined to favour going along, WTF, it's on a Friday
    night in the middle of Winter and the local venue is a hall which is owned
    and sits adjacent to the local brewery.
    
    After a few of the sponsors Weizen's I wont need to try too hard to 
    enjoy myself. 
    
    With the exception of Bernie Shaw, I recognise the rest of the band.
    Phil Lanzon came from the now defunct Grand Prix - right ?
    
    Assuming I can get a couple of tix at the weekend, I'll post a few
    words here after the gig (Feb 12th) just to keep you in the picture.
    
    Nazareth have a few decent oldies up their sleeve as well!!
    
    Tom 

    Re. Tom
    
    I'll be glad to read your impressions if you go to the concert.
    Bernie Shaw was also in Grand Prix together with Phil Lanzon. You can
    hear him on their last albums (since 'Raging Silence'). 'Blood red
    roses', 'Different world' and 'Lifeline' are some of the best of their
    recent songs.
    
    If you like Abominog, don't miss Head First. All Heep CDs are now
    available at special prices, including the excellent Live 1973.
    What is disturbing, is the number of compilations which have been
    released at different stages. I cannot count them ..
    
    Good luck,
    Sorin

    
    
     Me too, I'd like to hear what they sound like these days.
    
                                                                  mike
    

    I just discovered (and bought) a compilation named "Uriah Heep rarities
    since the Bronze age". I haven't listened it yet but it looks to be of
    real value. It was compiled with the help of band members (Mick Box,
    Ken Hensley and Pete Goalby) and it contains A and B sides of singles.
    The few songs which you may find on the other albums are in different
    editions (Gypsy, Look at Yourself, Return to Fantasy, Stealin'). The
    rest are songs appearing only on the singles. There is also a version
    of the excellent "Think it over" sung by John Sloman (who composed it
    with Trevor Bolder). "Think it over" is also on the "Abominog" album
    but sung by Pete Goalby.
    
    There are in total 21 songs and a booklet explaining from were they
    come. I don't like over-compilations but this one seems to be done
    especially for the fans and record collectors covering the band's
    production since 1970 and till 1983. There are quite many songs sung by
    David Byron.
    
    I'll come with news after listening it.
    
    Last but not least, the compilation is dedicated to the memory of Gary
    Thain (bass player) and David Byron (lead vocalist), both dead (R.I.P).
    
    Sorin 

I've listened yesterday the Rarities CD and I like it. I think this is a must
for a UH fan and album collector. Of the 21 songs, 17 have not been released
on any of their albums (only on singles) and the remaining 4 are single
versions (Gypsy is the same as on the first Bronze compilation).

10 songs are sung by David Byron (of which 6 appeared only on singles), 4 by
John Laughton, 4 by John Sloman (of which the original version of 
"Think it over") and 3 by Pete Goalby. Most of the songs deserved to be
included on the albums. The compilation shows some less known aspects of the
band's creativity. Few songs are heavier (especially from Byron period) but
the rest are more hard rock (and even funky).

There are many good songs (remember I'm a Heep fan), the most exciting being
sung by David Byron ("Shout it out", "Why", "Sunshine", "Simon the bullet 
freak").

The booklet is also very comprehensive and explains (in short) the story of
the band and the story of each song on the CD.

Real value for those who like Heep.

Sorin

    Well, a worse-than-pi$$-poor-sound put paid to any serious review
    of UH's set here in Kaufbeuren on Friday night.
    
    First surprise of the night was that UH opened for Nazareth.
    
    It was clear from the opening Mick Box intro that things were going to 
    be dodgy sound-wise, as no discernable tone or edge was present, just
    a one big, fat, flat sounding f%rt which more-or-less continued 
    throughout their 90 min set.
    
    Sure, there was plenty of enthusiasm evident from the band, who seemed
    intent on enjoying themselves regardless...
    
    The real shame (for me anyway) was that outside of the classics eg
    "The Wizard", "Lady In Black", "Easy Livin'" the rest of their material
    was totally undistinguishable. 
    
    Tunes came and went without ever having any real chance of catching my 
    attention, and therefore my wallet and to cap it all off, I can only 
    remember one song being introduced properly eg "This one's off the
    Different World album, it's called ...." 
    
    The audience eventually warmed up to them, however, as the set wore
    on and by the end they easily made their 2 encores.
    
    Another personal dissapointment was that nothing from "Abominog" was
    included in their set (I, er..think!!)
    
    Not the kind of review I had planned, but never mind, in my experience
    this kind of occurence is not at all unusual, especially for bands in
    the (infamous) support slot...
    
    Tom            

    Thanks for the review Tom. It seems UH should stop before killing their
    own legend.
    
    Sorin

    Being a hardcore Heep fan I bought recently a CD titled "The Lansdowne
    Tapes - From Spice to Uriah Heep".
    The CD contains unreleased tracks from the period just before Heep and
    early Heep stuff. Spice was a band including David Byron (vocals), Mick
    Box (guitars) and Paul Newton (bass). When Ken Hensley (keyboards)
    joined the band, it became Uriah Heep (1969).
    There are about 14 songs for a total of 77 mins, a bit less than half
    coming from Spice. Much of the Spice songs have a jazzy touch. David
    Byron's voice was excellent from the very beginning (he was singing
    since the age of 8). The is a very good history notice with the CD
    which contains also pictures from early times.
    Before this CD, I have bought "Rarities from the Bronze age of UH"
    which already contained unreleased material (or versions). This one
    contains as unreleased all the Spice songs and two UH songs (Look At
    Yourself album period). The rest of the UH songs on the CD are
    also unreleased versions (a 11 mins version of Why which appeared on
    Rarities in shorter form and so on ..).
    This CD is interesting for the fans mainly.
    
    Sorin 

    Uriah Heep has just released a new album for their 25th anniversary.
    It's a completely new album with a cover designed by Roger Dean, just
    like in the old good days ("Demons and Wizards" etc.). As I've read a
    good critic (telling they returned to a sound closer to their glory
    days) and I've ran to my favourite CD shop. Nice surprise, the vendor
    was very positive about the album and the selling. I've only listened
    few of the first tracks and the difference (compared to the previous
    release) was clear. Much more punch and closer to traditional Heep
    work. I'll enter a full review after the (long) weekend. The band is
    the same as for the few last albums.
    More news later..
    
    Sorin

"Sea of Light" has made my last weekend nice despite the rainy weather. It's
heavier and not comparable with their previous "Different World".
SoL rocks and kicks from the very first moment while the compositions deserve
to be in the UH catalogue of songs. The CD contains 12 tracks lasting one
hour. All songs are composed by Box (guitars)/Lanzon (keyboards) or 
Boulder (bass). Most of them are melodic heavy rock, about two mid-tempo and
one quite slow and using only acoustic guitar and keyboards.
SoL is their best album since the Abominog time. It's closer to original
Heep sound with all the band playing at top level. Mick Box' guitar remains
one of the best in heavy/hard rock while Phil Lanzon has acquired the class
of a Ken Hensley on keyboards/organ. Lee Kerslake (drums) shows his excellence
and Trevor Boulder (bass) plays bass closer to Gary Thain's style. Background
vocals are Heep original standard and Bernie Show (vocals) sings at his best 
(however David Byron (RIP) was exceptional).
In few words, Uriah Heep wanted to show that after 25 years they still have
their word to say. I think for Heep amateurs this is a very important CD, while
for Maiden, Savatage fans (to name few) this CD will provide much pleasure 
in listening it.
The album is very well balanced and starts with the kicker "Against the odds"
which delivers a punchy combination of guitar/organ/drums and some nice guitar 
solos (Mick Box solos are short and effective) completed by repetitive 
background choruses. The rest follows very well, some other excellent rockers
being "Fear of Falling", "Time of Revelation", "Fires of Hell" etc. There is
no weakness and the more I listen the more I like. Sound quality is up to 
original Heep standards (excellent) and it's nice to hear the CD loud.
Classical heavy rock based on fine melodic lines and sounding well .. 1995
(Fear of Falling could do a big hit if well promoted).
Well recommended for sure !

Sorin

Last weekend I've listened at home, on headphones, several times Sea of Light
and I continually listen it in my car while the home to office trip. All
this at a decent volume. This is to say how much I like it. Really one of
their very best albums which may stay beside their classics. Sure, Demons
and Wizards, Look at Yourself remain unequalled gems but SoL could be compared
to a Sweet Freedom or Return to Fantasy. The sound of SoL has that stamp
of earlier albums but at '95 level. Heavier sound than on RtF but plenty of
melodic songs and quite optimistic mood. Songs like 'Against the Odds',
'Fires of Hell', 'Fear of Falling', 'Time of Revelation' are in the vein of
an 'Easy Living' or 'Look at Yorself'. 'Words in the Distance' uses a heavy
riff and a catchy repeating chorus while 'Silent Love' builds its mellower
mood based on a starting piano, organ and uses also a string arrangement while
'Dream On' is almost acoustic and vocal. 'Logical Progression' and 'Mistress
of All Time' are on the lighter side while 'Sweet Sugar' is quite standard
hard/heavy rocker. 'Universal Wheels' is also fine especially for its middle
part arrangement.
And for the use of organ/keyboards in a heavy rock band I think currently
Heep proves as a reference, just as they were in the past. Glad that Lee
Kerslake has decided also to kick even harder the big drums and Trevor to be 
more in front with his bass guitar (it's also a matter of excellent production).
They all seem re-vitalized (well, Mick Box has always been the power engine).
Sorry for beeing so long but I really like very much this album.
If you have the occasion to listen to, do it loud so you'll feel better the
music.

Sorin

    There is an excellent Uriah Heep home page on Internet at:
    
    	http://www.singnet.com.sg/~lkimtah/heep.htm
    
    Discography, biographies etc.
    
    Sorin

I have finally found David Byron's "Take no Prisoners" on CD (I bought the
vinyl back in 1975). It sounds excellent and fresh. It's not exactly heavy
rock only but it contains few typical Heep songs like "Man Full of Yesterdays",
"Midnight Flyer" and "Roller Coaster" which are on the heavy and grandiose side.
It's not a surprise that Mick Box plays the guitars and Lee Kerslake the drums.
John Wetton participates a bit for the mellotron part and Ken Hensley plays
acoustic guitar here and there.
The rest of the CD shows how good a rock singer was David. Quite variated
between heavy and plain rock with funkier touches.
Songs like "Sweet Rock and Roll" and "Stop" are also among the best on the CD.
Recommended to those who enjoyed Heep at the time of "Return to Fantasy".

I've also ordered "Baby Faced Killer" which is a David Byron album without any
of the Heep members.

Sorin

The first six Uriah Heep albums (up to Sweet Freedom included) have been
re-released in versions re-mastered from the original tapes. Each one includes
as bonus some unreleased songs or song versions (most of them can be found on
"Heep rarities from the Bronze age" or "The Lansdowne tapes").
I think I'll have to spent again some money, although the recording quality
was already outstanding for the Heep records.
I don't know if the 1973 live was remastered or not.

For recall, the  first six studio albums were:

1. Very 'eavy very 'umble
2. Salisbury
3. Look at yourself
4. Demons and wizards
5. Magicians birthday
6. Sweet freedom

Useless to say, they are all essential Uriah Heep albums.

Sorin
PS. Still noone has heard something from Sea of Light ? Here it has sold fine.

As my old "Demons and Wizzards" CD had a transparent point on its surface (but
not audible), this convinced me to go and buy the new remastered edition.
The sound quality of my 'old' CD was excellent by any standards so I was
wondering what a remastering could enhance any more.
Well, it does !
The new version is remastered from the original master tapes and the sound is
even more transparent with deeper bass sounds. Really impressive ! The CD is
recorded using 'Super bitmap' technique.
The artwork is very well restored and the leaflet contains comments, an album 
history and the song words. There are two short comments from Mick Box and
Ken Hensley, dated August/September 1995.
The CD includes 3 bonus tracks:
Why - the B-side version. Very good.
Why - an extended studio edition including very impressive bass lines from
	Gary Thain. Slightly different from the B-side version and very good
	also.
Coming home to you - which isn't a Heep song but some kind of a bluesy one.
	This one is more of a historical curiosity but it's very listenable.

And the sound quality blows away much of the current CD productions.

To conclude .. an essential CD !
Highly recommended.

Sorin who will have to buy (again) all the new CD's. 

It's done. I've sold my old versions and bought the remasters.
Worth for every penny.
The sound is excellent (it was also before but now it's even better) the bonus
tracks are meant to make happy the fans and the packaging and presentation
are top. Much information, song words and pictures. It's nice to see that each 
leaflet includes as background pieces of articles which were bashing the band
and their albums. It's really amusing to see how much some critics were
despising their music. But .. dogs bark while the caravan continues its way.
Highly recommended for fans and for anyone who wants to listen this band.
After 25 years they've done a great job by releasing this remasters. And their
latest 'Sea of Light' remains for me one of the best albums of this year.

Sorin

    
    Sorin,
    
    I may have to go and get "Sea of Light" and try and get the remaster of
    "Demons and Wizards" which is sort of an old fav. I like the song
    "Wizard" from waaaaaaaaay back.
    
    What ever happened to that other band you were talking about? Theatre
    of Tradegy??????
    
    Mike
    

    Mike,
    
    I have no news about Theatre of Tragedy on CD. I haven't yet heard them
    nor seen the CD in the shops. If I have the occasion to listen them
    I'll enter my opinions. For the moment I'm quite busy with my Heep
    remasters. I just listened Salisbury (their most progressive) and Look
    At Yourself (the heaviest) and I'm in a delighted state.
    
    Cheers,
    Sorin
    PS. I'll have to check also for Paradise Lost as I'm hearing much good
    about.

I have bought yesterday Uriah Heep's new live CD "Spellbinder". It has been
recorded in Germany and it contains 11 live songs plus a 12th (unreleased) track
from the Sea of Light sessions (it's called Sail the River).
Many of the tracks are classical Heep songs (Gipsy, Easy Living, Rainbow Demon,
Look at Yourself, Circle of Hands, Stealin', The Wizard, Devil's Daughter, Lady
in Black) completed by newer ones (Bad Bad Man, Words in a Distance).
I was a bit skeptical to buy it because of the many common songs with their
legendary 1973 live album (which I have in 2 different CD versions and I am
prepared to buy the new release made from the master tapes).
But I've read a very good review on Internet (I'm glad there are many fans of 
Heep on Internet) and I've bought it finally. Well done !
The sound is very fine and punchy. The heavy Hammond organ is omnipresent and
Heep returned to its specific sound from its glory days. I was hooked 
immediately and listened the CD two times in a round. While the old live
concert album remains one of the best live albums ever, the new one brings
new interpretations of the classical stuff which are very good too. David Byron
was an exceptional singer but Bernie Shaw is also very capable. 
The bonus track is also excellent and I wonder why it wasn't on the Sea of Light
album.
Well recommended .. but first don't forget to check for Sea of Light also.

Sea of Light and Spellbinder will probably be officially released in US (now
they are imports) once Heep will finalize negotiations, as I understood.
They are in the process of negotiating also the US release of the remastered
CDs as in Europe it's Castle Communications which has the rights while in the US
it's some other company who has the rights for the first Heep albums.

Sorin
PS. While I was in the shop I have relistened songs from Angra's Holy Land CD.
Clearly fine progressive metal. Next time ..