Uriah Heep: a guide to their best albums

Demons And Wizards (Bronze, 1972)

Back in 1972 the stars aligned for Uriah Heep at the fourth attempt. Newly joined by bassist Gary Thain and drummer Lee Kerslake, with the album sporting an eye-catching double-gatefold Roger Dean sleeve, Demons And Wizards saw them exploring fantasy lyrics for the first time, their newly honed skills as arrangers serving to crystallise a previously half- formed artistic vision. 

Drenched with Ken Hensley’s Hammond organ sounds and articulated by the flamboyant voice of David Byron, The Wizard, Rainbow Demon and the boogie shuffle of Easy Livin’ all became perennial live favourites, but this album’s real strength is its consistency.

The Magician’s Birthday (Bronze, 1972)

Given the iconic standing of both in the band’s catalogue, it’s astonishing to consider that the second of Heep’s two 1972 albums was released a mere six months after Demons And Wizards had transformed them into major league stars. 

Performed in its entirety at 2010’s inaugural High Voltage Festival, The Magician’s Birthday adheres to the blueprint of its illustrious predecessor, coming tantalisingly close to matching its colourful eloquence via Sunrise, Rain and a ten-minute title track that features a guitar and drum fight sequence, the latter concocted after a visit to an adjacent public house.

Very ’Eavy, Very ’Umble (Vertigo, 1970)

Introduced by Gypsy, a testosterone-fuelled anthem that pooled in-your-face keys, a chest- beating lead voice, multi-part harmonies and a piledriving riff from guitarist Mick Box, this disc laid the groundwork for a career that has defied the odds to endure for over four decades. 

Having famously inspired a Rolling Stone reviewer to promise that she would “commit suicide if this group makes it”, Uriah Heep’s aptly-titled debut album peppered its overall bluster with moments of solemnity, a cover of the Tim Rose-popularised Come Away Melinda revealing a window to a more introspective side.

Look At Yourself (Bronze, 1971)

Uriah Heep’s third album was issued in a clever mirror- embossed sleeve that allowed potential purchasers to follow the instruction implied in its title. Though the band had already honed a sound they were happy with, three members of Bronze label-mates Osibisa were cajoled into providing the frantic percussive climax of the album’s title track. 

Another guest contributor, Manfred Mann, also performed the Moog solo that helped to link three separate song ideas into the record’s eventual standout track, July Morning, a ten-minute epic that remains among the very best things that the band ever recorded.

Abominog (Bronze, 1982)

After the disaster of the Conquest album, Mick Box had his work cut out to keep Heep’s heart beating. Indeed, with the band leaking members like a rusty bucket it stopped doing so for a few days until he began piecing together a new line-up that arose from the ashes in emphatic and unlikely fashion. 

With ex-Trapeze man Pete Goalby on vocals, Abominog ushered in an invigorated and revitalised take on the Heep sound. The positive reaction to songs such as Too Scared To Run, That’s The Way That It Is and On The Rebound even allowed the previously unfashionable group to appear at 1982’s Monsters Of Rock festival.

Firefly (Bronze, 1977)

All too aware of the uphill challenge in replacing the talismanic David Byron, Uriah Heep hired a singer that couldn’t have been any more different. Previously the frontman of the German-based Lucifer’s Friend (and one-time Eurovision singer), John Lawton was less hirsute and visually unprepossessing, but the Yorkshireman’s first-rate blues voice presented the group with a raft of new possibilities. 

Penned almost exclusively by Ken Hensley, still an area of concern and frustration within Heep’s ranks, the likes of Wise Man, Sympathy and the album’s deeply evocative title track nevertheless halted a rot that had been so apparent with High And Mighty.

Raging Silence (Legacy, 1989)

Judging by the disbelieving reviews of Uriah Heep’s 17th studio album, which introduced new vocalist Bernie Shaw and keyboard player Phil Lanzon, the band’s standing couldn’t have dipped any lower. Had they not summoned the inner strength to make Raging Silence such a remarkable statement of defiance, there’s little doubt that their story would have petered out. 

Fresh, vibrant and full of outstandingly written and well-produced songs such as Blood Red Roses, Bad Bad Man and Cry Freedom, the rebirth provided precious breathing space. Indeed, the line-up that created this album would endure for more than two decades.

Wake The Sleeper (Sanctuary, 2008)

Ten years had gone by since Sonic Origami, and there were those that doubted whether Uriah Heep would ever make another studio record again. Energised by new drummer Russell Gilbrook, who took over from the ailing Lee Kerslake, once again Heep responded to adversity in the best possible manner. 

Box’s rampant guitar and the mellifluous backing vocals that had been their trademark for almost 40 years saw Wake The Sleeper tapping back into the band’s signature sound with apparently effortless ease. It was nominated among Classic Rock’s albums of the year and performed in its entirety on tour.

Living The Dream (Frontiers, 2018)

While certain more successful peers have flattered to deceive with patchy albums and questionable live performances, Mick Box’s crew never lost the vitality that made their early records so thrilling., and a staggering 49 years in, Heep are still living the dream and making it look easy.

Even ignoring the one standout classic - Falling Under Your Spell could well be the best song the band have written since the early 70s - Living The Dream is as strong as anything the band have produced in two, maybe three decades.