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Hello guys!
I've been browsing this site for a while, and I finally signed up.
Searching through the reviews under the letter U, I was surprised not to find any of Uriah Heep, a fundamental band in the history of rock, so I decided to fill this gap... so... once upon a time there were Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple. UFOs, Scorpions, and Thin Lizzy. And Uriah Heep. A legend, a band that set the standard and greatly influenced metal. They created an original style, blending thunderous hard rock with soul choirs, lyrics often inspired by fantasy, and magnificent hippie-flavored ballads, in short, an incredible formula!
In 1972, they released what, in their varied discography, is their third and most representative album: Demons and Wizards, a fundamental and uniquely beautiful record.
First and foremost, Uriah Heep are excellent musicians with great technique, particularly guitarist Mick Box and the keyboardist, among the best in history. The rhythm section is perfect, impeccable, and the bassist creates very beautiful bass lines. David Byron (R.I.P), the singer, who passed away in 1986, has a splendid voice, incredibly engaging and moving.
The cover and the title might suggest a power album: nothing could be further from the truth, even though Uriah are admired by every power band, Blind Guardian primarily (but this is a whole different thing).
The album, composed of nine tracks, opens with The Wizard, an incredible ballad characterized by beautiful interweaving of acoustic and electric guitars and a fantasy theme. One of the many gems of the record, with sensational choirs. It then moves to Traveler In Time, a song full of perfectly fitting riffs and with Byron in a state of grace. Already two gems of rare beauty. The third track is Easy Living, short but truly captivating with an extraordinary rhythm. The female choir in the middle part is sublime. Poet's Justice has a subtle air of sadness and is further proof of the grandeur and creative brilliance of Heep. Noteworthy is the beautiful text. Circle Of Hands is an unmissable piece, with a slower rhythm and incredibly moving melodies. After Rainbow Demon, a decidedly harder-sounding track, we arrive at the last two, wonderful, songs of the album: Paradise and The Spell. With the former, it's still great music, a beautiful love ballad in its entirety, but it's with The Spell that you reach what I believe is the creative peak of the album. A spine-tingling song, it deserves to be listened to and listened to again. The solo, calm and slow, is sublime, as are the keyboards that accompany throughout the entire duration (seven minutes) of the piece.
In conclusion, I don't think there's anything else to say: this album is simply magical! Its historical importance is indisputable... I can only recommend you listen to this record, which in my opinion ranks among the greatest masterpieces of all time!
Many other albums from their discography are sensational, most notably Salisbury, which I highly recommend.
PS: This is my first review, guys, and I tackled a classic of the genre... maybe I'm lacking a bit in style and there are many things to revise, so please help me with the comments... bye! ^_*
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
01 The Wizard (03:00)
Album: Demons and Wizards
He was the wizard of a thousand kings
And I chanced to meet him one night wandering
He told me tales and he drank my wine
Me and my magic man kind of feeling fine
He had a cloak of gold
And eyes of fire
And as he spoke I felt a deep desire
To free the world of its fear and pain
And help the people to feel free again
Why don't we listen to the voices in our hearts
'Cause then I know we'd find we're not so far apart
Everybody's got to be happy
Everyone should sing
For we know the joy of life
The peace that love can bring
So spoke the wizard in his mountain home
The vision of his wisdom means we'll never be alone
And I will dream of my magic night
And the million silver stars that guide me with their light
Show me the way
Ah ah ah
02 Traveller in Time (03:23)
Every day I have to look to the sun
To see where it was that I have come from
I have a feelin that there must be a time
When I'll get a chance to go home
'Cause I'm so tired of being here alone
But I'm just a traveller in time
Trying so hard to pay for my crime
If I could go back the same way I got here
And see the people that I once held so near
I'd do my best to find an answer for you
But first I must wait 'til I'm set free
And I don't know how long that's gonna be
'Cause I'm a man with a whole lot on his mind
Just out there somewhere travelling in time
Travelling in Time
I've tried for so long to find some way
Of helping mankind
Yeah!
03 Easy Livin' (02:45)
This is a thing I've never known before
It's called easy livin'
This is a place I've never seen before
And I've been forgiven
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Somewhere along the lonely road I had tried to find ya
Day after day on the windy road I had walked behind ya
Easy livin and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Waiting, watching
Wishing my whole life away
Dreaming, thinking
Ready for my happy day
And some easy livin'!
Somewhere along the lonely road I had tried to find you
Day after day on the windy road I had walked behind you
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
Easy livin' and I've been forgiven
Since you've taken your place in my heart
04 Poet's Justice (04:16)
Cold winds and cloudy skies
turn to sweetness in her eyes.
Fantasies I realized
came to life to my surprise.
Rain came and took her away
just when I thought she was here to stay.
Sun gone, I was left high and dry
when love came by and touched me and kissed me so long.
Shine hard October moon.
He will take me to her soon.
Run swiftly silver stream.
Find my love or let me dream.
Now half of me is all of her,
I'd be much happier if I were whole.
All my words and wisdom fail.
The poet's justice leads me to my goal - leads me to my goal.
Cold winds and cloudy skies
turn to sweetness in her eyes.
Fantasies I realized
came to life to my surprise.
05 Circle of Hands (06:27)
Album: Demons and Wizards
Circle of hands
Cold spirits plan
Searching my land for an enemy
Came across love's sweet cost
And in the face of beauty
Evil was lost
Sky full of eyes, minds full of lies
Black from their cold hearts, down to their graves
Murdered the dawn, spreading their scorn
Cursing the sun of which love was born
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has its price
And today is only yesterday's tomorrow
We must keep them away
Or pretty soon we'll pay
And count the cost in sorrow
Sacrifice, the future has its price
And today is only yesterday's tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow
06 Rainbow Demon (04:23)
There rides the Rainbow Demon
On his horse of crimson fire
Black shadows are following closely
On the heels of his desire
Riding on in the mist of morning
No one dared to stand in his way
Possessed by some distant calling
Riding on through night and day
Rainbow Demon - pick up your heart and run
Rainbow Demon - lives for his sword and his gun
Riding on in the mist of morning
No one dared to stand in his way
Possessed by some distant calling
Riding on through night and day
Rainbow Demon - pick up your heart and run
Rainbow Demon - lives for his sword and his gun
Rainbow Demon - pick up your heart and run
Rainbow Demon - lives for his sword and his gun (repeat chorus to fade)
07 All My Life (02:51)
I had a little look for a minute today
and I told here there was something that I wanted to say.
Just sitting there glowing, with her red light on,
so I gotta move fast and it shouldn't take long.
Maybe she will? Maybe she won't?
You get yourself together cause she doesn't say don't.
I never ever thought I was looking for a wife
but I think I can love her for the rest of my life.
I only took one cause I couldn't take two.
I want to make love and it's gotta be you.
Every little thing that I ever tried to say
is coming out right in my own kind of way.
Take it, make it, the weather feels fine.
She must be Lady Luck and she's gonna be mine.
I never ever thought I was looking for a wife
but I think I can love her for the rest of my life.
I will love you all my life.
(Repeat and fade)
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