Uriah Heep-Wake The Sleeper

This is their 21st studio album from 2008.Their first since 1998’s Cosmic Origami. The band had gone through many changes in personnel at this point. David Byron was fired in 1976 and died in 1985 from alcohol related problems. Ken Hensley left in 1980. Lee Kerslake left the band just before this was recorded. Both Kerslake and Hensley died in 2020. Mick Box is the only original member still in the band. He is supported by a group of veteran musicians including Trevor Boulder. Singer Bernie Shaw joined in ’86. I was pleasantly surprised to find this a good record. Singer Shaw can sound like David Byron sometimes and other new members provide the harmony so important in the Uriah Heep sound. Although most of it sounds pretty new there are still moments where they sound like the classic 70’s band. I believe I played side one once and listening to it again it sounds very good. Side two is slightly less so. Still carrying on, last putting out a record in 2023.

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