In 1980, the successful British hard rock band Uriah Heep broke up after 11 turbulent years. Guitarist Mick Box did not let up and formed a completely new Uriah Heep that very year, for which he managed to enlist drummer Lee Kerslake as the only former member. Kerslake has since passed away, but Uriah Heep, with Box as the only constant member, never ceased to exist and, with Chaos & Colour, are on
… their 25th album. You might wonder in advance if this is still the Uriah Heep of symphonic hard rock albums like Demons And Wizards (1972) and the Live (1973), which was not missing from any record closet at the time. The answer is a resounding yes. Equal parts organ and guitar-driven hard rock songs with tight choral vocals also dominate Uriah Heep anno 2023. Vocalist Bernie Shaw (already a member since 1986) carries the songs with his high theatrical vocals and doesn't shy away from pathos in the drawn-out ballad One Nation, One Sun. Chaos & Colour sounds as only Uriah Heep can for more than 50 years. (MR)more
