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Rating: INTRODUCTION:
The year 1980 is a critical one for Uriah Heep. During the "Conquest" tour, the band's keyboardist and creative mind, Ken Hensley, is in a constant clash with singer John Sloman (possessing an extraordinary voice, but too different from previous singers Byron and Lawton). At the end of the year, Hensley leaves the band, replaced by Greg Dechert, who is then immediately dismissed by Mick Box (the guitarist and now the sole leader of the Heep). Following this event, the situation worsens: Sloman departs to launch his own solo career (though his first album would not be released until nine years later!), and Bolder (bassist) doesn't feel like continuing in such a precarious situation. Even Slade (drummer) who had replaced Lee Kerslake for just 1980 leaves.
Uriah Heep ceases to exist for two years, during which Box is constantly depressed and thoroughly drunk. He is saved by the return of his friend Kerslake, who brings along bassist Bob Daisley from the Ozzy Osbourne band. To complete the lineup, Peter Goalby, a hard rock vocalist (he was, for instance, in Trapeze), and John Sinclair, keyboardist from an up-and-coming metal band, are recruited.
THE ALBUM:
In 1982, "Abominog" finally releases: already after two/three songs, it's clear that this is an album aiming to cut ties with the past, especially with the refined pop-rock of "Conquest".
[SIDE A] It begins with "Too Scared To Run" (*****): a furious and sharp guitar riff, almost metal, opens and marks the whole song. All other instruments then join in to complete the scant four minutes in the most intense way possible. It is followed by "Chasing Shadows" (***), a standard pop-rock song typical of the period with plenty of good keyboards: nice but nothing transcendental. "On The Rebound" (****) is a cover, notably superior to the original, by Russ Ballard (from the 1979 album "Barnet Dogs"): great keyboards, great rhythm, very '80s… but also lots of quality! "Hot Night In A Cold Town" (*****) is a ballad that opens with keyboards simulating the piano, and continues with sweet yet energetic sounds: here the real strength lies in the truly over-the-top chorus. The high level continues with "Running All Night (With The Lion)" (****): full of grit and a strong melody!
[SIDE B] The same goes for the phenomenal "That's The Way That It Is" (*****) credited to Paul Bliss and, undoubtedly, one of the best songs on the album: I have no words to describe it… you just have to listen to it (at the time it even became a reasonable hit). The album continues without peaks with the ballads "Prisoner" (***) and "Hot Persuasion" (***): nice by all means, but nothing special. It gets better with "Sell Your Soul" (****), undoubtedly the five heaviest minutes of the entire album… and it ends in style with "Think It Over" (*****). In this case, Uriah Heep covers themselves. The song, in fact, was released as a 45 rpm after "Conquest" (composed by the Bolder/Sloman duo)… nice but a bit weak: the new 1982 arrangement transforms it into a gem… indisputably another highlight of the album!
[BONUS TRACKS] The 1997 remastered edition features 4 bonus tracks. Two are demos of "That's The Way That It Is" and "Hot Persuasion". As for the remaining ones… "Tin Soldier" (*****) is a fantastic cover of the Small Faces, while "Son Of A Bitch" (****) is a good hard rock track.
CONCLUSIONS:
"Abominog" is an excellent product, recommended for all Uriah Heep fans, fans of '80s metal, and anyone looking for an album capable of delivering tons of energy.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Too Scared to Run (03:46)
Too scared I could not run
I could not make a sound
Lights were flashing
My whole life passing
My feet were stuck to the ground
Too light to call it night
Too dark to call it day
Too scared to stay and fight
Too scared to run away
So scared I could not move
I could not make a sound
There were people running
People shouting
Flashes all around
Too scared to run
Too scared to run away
Too scared I could not think
My eyes could not scarcely see
My heart was racing
My legs were shaking
They would not carry me
Lights were flashing
My whole life passing
My heart, my heart
My heart was racing
My legs were shaking
Could not see, I could not see
03 On the Rebound (03:14)
On the rebound, on the rebound
That's how you fell for me
That's how you changed my life
You cut me like a knife
On the rebound, on the rebound
You came, you saw, you took
It only took one look
And lady, I was hooked
On the rebound - it's a replay ...
Your love was on the rebound
On the rebound
You came and took my soul
You came and left a hole
Where your love used to be
On the rebound, on the rebound
You like to drown in your tears
And after all these years
You give your pain to me
On the rebound - you came to me, babe
On the rebound - to set you free
On the rebound - too bad for me
Your love was on the rebound
You came to me
To set you free
To pray for me
It's a replay
You came to repay
It's a replay
To set you free
Just a replay
Your love was
Just a replay
06 That's the Way That It Is (04:04)
I've been thinking about
What you said last night
And for all your fine words
You still don't have it right
'Cause that's the way that it is
And you won't ever change
You can scream at me
But the powers that be
Won't ever hear your voice
'Cause they're lost
In their own importance
No, they'll never hear your voice
'Cause that's the way that it is
And you won't ever change it
I've heard all your stories
Of how the few can be strong
And how you'll fight to the end
Just to prove me wrong
'Cause that's the way that you are
And you won't ever change it
But don't come cryin' to me
If your fanciful schemes
Don't turn out like you planned
'Cause you're chasin'
After something
That keeps slippin'
Through your hand
That's the way that it is
And you won't change it
07 Prisoner (04:28)
Time has come to say goodbye
To the broken memories
They're locked inside like prisoners
In a place that no-one sees
Stayed up late with a friend of mine
Southern comfort till dawn
We talked about the pains of love
Should've known from
The start you were wrong
I'm just a prisoner
Don't wanna lock myself away
Prisoner - I get so lonely, lonely
I'm a prisoner
Just when do you think love will stay
It walks right out on you - out on you
Tired blood runs through my veins
But I can't get no sleep
You lock my heart
In these prison walls
This place I've got to leave
I'm a prisoner
Don't wanna lock myself away
Prisoner - I get so lonely, lonely
I'm a prisoner
Just when do you think love will stay
It walks right out on you - out on you
The sky is grey, it's raining
Like the storm in my heart
There ain't no use explaining
'cause I'm leaving, leaving
Won't somebody set me free
Take me away from this misery
I get so lonely
I get so lonely, lonely, lonely
Won't somebody set me free
Please, please, set me free
09 Sell Your Soul (05:22)
I got a solid silver reason
I got something you'll never buy
I've spent my life playing rock'n'roll
I wouldn't tell a lie
Well if you want to taste the freedom
Just let the music take a hold
I'm possessed by rock'n'roll
There's a thunder
See it and wonder
How to play the game
It's easy
You know we're gonna live forever
You know we're never gonna die
You see it's written
Across the sky tonight
I'm gonna tell you why
Because they've covered up the exits
We got a spotlight just for you
Im possessed by rock'n'roll
Hear me callling, stars are falling
Taking me away
Stand up - shout it out
I'm possessed by rock 'n' roll
Stand up - shout it out
Sell your soul
Stand up - shout it out
Let the music take a hold
Stand up - shout it out
Rock 'n' roll
Can't you feel we're getting stronger
Getting stronger every day
There ain't nothing gonna stop us
Oh, there ain't no way
It's like a rolling ball of thunder
You know it's never gonna stop
You know it's gonna drag you under
See me soaring
Thunders roaring
Things afraid again
I got a solid silver reason
I got something you'll never buy
I've spent my life with rock'n'roll
Oh no, would I lie
But if you want to taste the freedom
Just let the music take a hold
I'm possessed by rock'n'roll
There's a thunder
See it and wonder
How to play the game
It's easy
It's gonna drag you under
Gonna take your heart and soul
You gotta shout, shout, shout it out
10 Think It Over (03:27)
I've had all I can take
I've taken just too much
I've made a big mistake
That put me out of touch
I don't think I can face
Another single day
Without a call from you
To take this pain away
So many tears ago
You turned and walked away
It could've been the end
But I knew better
I had to tell myself
There'll be another day
She wants to call it quits
But don't you let her
Can't you see
There's a chance for you and me
Think it over
Don't believe
In the things that may not be
Think it over
Why don't you think it over
Forgetting you is out
I ain't givin' in
The fuss was down to you
But it's not over
You have to face the truth
I'm still in love with you
I have to make you see
That it's not over
Why don't you think about it, babe
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