Uriah Heep - Beverly Arts Center, Chicago 7/1/10

Uriah Heep returns to Chicago after 9 year absence. From the first seconds of the show the audience knew they were in for something special. The band enthusiastically stormed the stage, and unleashed its wrath upon the unsuspecting audience. Uriah Heep came on pumped, and took no prisoners. Vocalist, Bernie Shaw, showed a lot of heart and worked the crowd with renewed intensity. In no time the energy on stage was clearly visible on the other side of the stage as well. The band played great, as if it was their last show ever. Well, they certainly wanted to make up for the lost time.

Uriah Heep opened with Wake the Sleeper off its recent studio album under the same name. It must be said the above mentioned album was a solid return to form for the band, and it was no surprise few other tracks off that record graced the show as well. Then there are countless of Uriah Heep classics which the audience certainly wanted to hear. The band gave a solid mix of old and new. Tracks like Return to Fantasy, Stealin’, The Wizard, Gypsy, or July Morning needed no introduction. The audience absolutely loved those songs. There were many hardcore Heep fans in the crowd who followed the band for years as it appeared. One of the bigger surprises was the addition of Sunrise, a great track, but somewhat overshadowed. Many of these songs were recently re-recorded for the 40th anniversary record titled Celebration. Another great record worth investigating, the album combines the past and the present day Heep.

Instrumentally, the band played great. The addition of the new drummer, Russell Gilbrook, certainly elevated the energy level to a new high. Gilbrook replaced long time Heep drummer, Lee Kerslake, who left the band for health reasons. Mick Box was once again playing his heart out as did the rest of the band. Box, went all grey since the last visit to U.S, but still with a heart of a rocker. Keyboard player, Phil Lanzon, got some unbelievable sounds out of his instrument to illustrate the music. Bass player Trevor Bolder, just as solid as you remembered him last time. Bolder-Gilbrook rhythm section is certainly a winning combination.

Before you knew it, Uriah Heep climaxed with Easy Livin’, and said their goodbyes. Only to return with another surprise, for an encore the band played Lady in Black. It’s a cult track in Europe, rarely played on this side of Atlantic. It was a welcomed addition to the set. It proved to be a great sing along track.

It was a fantastic show, a true return to fantasy. Let’s hope the band will work on visiting U.S. more often. Long live rock’n’roll, long live Uriah Heep!

Mark Kadzielawa