Review of Uriah Heep’s album Chaos and Color
After the pandemic’s limitations, Uriah Heep lit it up with a fiery comeback and a crucial new record full of strength and joy.
When I eventually saw Uriah Heap perform live for the first time as Saxon’s special guests in January 2022, it was an appropriately amazing experience that I will never forget. The pure joy the band was experiencing on stage amazed and enthralled me. Consequently, I was thrilled to have the chance to evaluate this album because, in comparison to other bands from the same era (Deep Purple and Black Sabbath in particular), my collection of Heep is quite tiny.
The album begins with “Save Me Tonight,” which is a fittingly intense first track. This sounds more like a band posing a challenge to anyone who will listen than like a band going through the motions. Its usage as the lead single is well justified by its appealing melody and lyrics. As this plays from your radio or listening device, get ready for the airwaves to go crazy! Shame on any radio stations who don’t play it!
The album’s lead track, “Silver Sunlight,” maintains a fast tempo, features amazing vocals by Bernie Shaw, and the entire song shouts “second single”! The band is still challenging other bands, but they sound victorious, so there’s no use in resisting; just let the song carry you away.
Phil Lanzon’s keyboards are heard throughout the song “Hail the Sunrise,” which is about stone circles and the solstice. This is timeless. Heep, you know what to do if your stereo isn’t turned up yet—crank it up to eleven! This song would sound amazing live, and Mick Box plays a wonderful guitar solo.
Vocal harmonies greet “Age Of Changes” as it begins, cantering along at a decent clip that would make many other bands blush. Fantastic guitar and keyboard breaks. The song’s foundation is provided by bassist Dave Rimmer and drummer Russell Gilbrook. Even though I keep saying it, this song should sound amazing live and is one of my favorites from the album. However, I should warn you—there is a ton of excellent music on this album!
“Hurricane” begins with a fantastic guitar riff by Mick Box. This song is an absolute banger. This song is a great example of how sometimes little really is more.
It is said that “One Nation, One Sun” is “a journey of soaring balladic contemplation.” I won’t add much more to that, other than to say that, for being longer than seven minutes, it captures the attention in the most lovely way.
“Golden Light” quickens the tempo once further, with Mick Boxes’ guitar and Phil Lanzon’s keyboards hammering out the tunes. This is one of those magnificent songs from Uriah Heep, and you know what? I think it sounds amazing live!
With a duration of just under eight minutes, “You’ll Never Be Alone” ebbs and goes as it delivers its tale. This song, which is a highlight of the album and a timeless Uriah Heep composition, really gets going at the 4 minute mark, when people should start shaking their heads and pumping their fists in the air before the song ends.
The song “Fly Like An Eagle” features guitar, synths, drums, and bass that propel Bernie Shaw’s melancholic tale of meditation. The song finishes far too soon as guitar and synth parts blend together. It’s a little under four minutes long, so maybe they’ll play it longer live, or maybe I’m just getting antsy!
Despite being longer than eight minutes, “Freedom to Be Free” is packed with amazing vocals and band instrumental breaks. The song, which at times really kicks up the volume and at other points fades into near stillness, will, in all honesty, make a great live set piece that accentuates each band member.
The album’s last track, “Closer to Your Dreams,” is a full-on rocker in the style of “Easy Living.” The song is upbeat and optimistic, much like the album as a whole, with lively keyboards. The band is clearly having a blast while they worked on this song in the studio, and there’s a fantastic guitar solo.
It is not surprising that Uriah Heep, who have been around for more than 50 years, can still make an album, but maybe what will excite longtime fans is that they can still make dramatic new stuff like this. Even though the album is full of songs that sound similar, they yet manage to convey a sense of urgency and freshness that makes the band appealing to a potentially larger audience. Perfectly captured by the band is the genuine delight of creating music. This is a great record that is worth listening to again, preferably loudly!
Moreover, the entire album could be performed live because there isn’t any filler at all! This is astounding!
So don’t hesitate; buy or order your copy right away, and remember to leave one for me!
Even though January is only halfway through 2023, three amazing albums have already dropped: Uriah Heep’s “Chaos and Colour,” Iggy Pop’s “Every Loser,” and King Kraken’s debut album, “MCLXXX.”
Though they are all musically distinct from one another, they might all be contenders for album of the year. Being able to listen to so much new music is amazing, and it’s great that bands are continuing to create new music instead of getting complacent.
Considering that albums dominated the early 1970s and early 1980s, 2023 might be another great year with albums from Metallica and Rival Sons, among others, due this year.
Chaos & Colour Track List:
- Save Me Tonight
- Silver Sunlight
- Hail the Sunrise
- Age of Changes*
- Hurricane
- One Nation, One Sun
- Golden Light
- You’ll Never Be Alone
- Fly Like an Eagle
- Freedom to Be Free
- Closer to Your Dreams*
- Save Me Tonight (Demo)**
*CD and Digital only
**Deluxe CD only
MICK BOX – Lead Guitar / Vocals
PHIL LANZON – Keyboards / Vocals
BERNIE SHAW – Lead Vocals
DAVE RIMMER – Bass Guitar / Vocals
RUSSELL GILBROOK – Drums & Percussion
Produced by Jay Ruston
Engineered by Pieter Rietkerk
Recorded at Chapel Studios UK
Mixed by Jay Ruston at TRS West, Sherman Oaks, California
Additional Engineering by John Douglass
Mastered by Paul Logus
