![]() Continuing, as it turns out, to this present day. The fuck were they thinking? On the other hand, if it is the only one, then these are only minor quibbles.ĭemons and Wizards really got this steamboat called Uriah Heep firmly on its course to success down a stellar and distinguished career. The only real filler I could find on this album is All my Life. Of course, somewhere in between, you have Rainbow Demon, which is somewhat subdued, but not bad after all. If you want progressive, then try Paradise/The Spell. Also, on the progressive side, this is nothing to write home about. Whilst not bad, I cannot find the excitement that The Wizard or Easy Livin’ display. Some reviewers opine that this is the best on the album, but I would disagree. God, this is just up there with Look at Yourself (the title song of the 1971 album just a few months earlier).Ĭircle of Hands is pretty good, too, on Demons and Wizards. Okay, I get it: They were not quite a startup anymore, but still. Now the US performance may seem impressive, but in Europe this single just stayed in the charts, hitting down from rank 23 to first in some countries. The track hit straight at # 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Already the first line “This is a thing I’ve never known before called easy livin”’ usually gets on my good side. ‘Cause then we will get to the real hit single Easy Livin’ that scavenged the charts like the fucking undead on a bad day. Going straight off to single stardom! You will even forgive them for their 2nd track Traveller in Time, which is bland and boring. In essence, Demons and Wizards just kicks off with a hit. Uriah Heep start off with The Wizard and – bang – land a classic with their first song already. The lyrics on the album are remarkably thoughtful, I like it. He is by the way still active to this day and the original artwork still available for sale, if you are interested. Be this as it will, the art is a trademark Dean creation of that time. Roger Dean designed the album cover, apparently depicting a phallus and a hidden vagina in some of the versions. After that, it appears that the band fell off Thor’s podium somewhat. It is interesting to note that Uriah Heep remained at no 1 in Finland from Salisbury through to The Magician’s Birthday. These guys already showed an affinity of what was to become a powerful metal movement in later years. Interestingly – or ironically – the Finnish nation of the cold North took Demons and Wizards on board at the top-level. The record also hit the charts pretty hard, getting to rank 23 in the US and climbing to no 20 in the UK. Of that number, about 500 thousand records were sold in the US alone. The title song and July Morning, which both resound to this day.ĭemons and Wizards officially sold some 3 million records globally! A huge success. This one – ironically – failed to do just what its title suggested, even if they scored two great hits. A clear step up from the somewhat spotty Look At Yourself. Lee – by the way – went on to feature on many of this band’s best-selling albums still to come in the future.īut not only that, the whole production demonstrates a chemistry that was not there before. Not to forget Lee Kerslake providing the drum work. ![]() The success is of course based a lot on David Byron‘s stellar vocal cords, Mick Box on lead guitar, and Ken Hensley with his keyboard prowess and vocals. And really focused on creating the right sound for themselves. And with their following albums still in soul-searching mode too.ĭemons and Wizards – in contrast – showcases a self-assured swagger of a band sure of its capabilities. And all that after a somewhat rocky start with Very ‘eavy Very ‘umble, gallivanting around the musical landscape, unsure what the band wanted to become. Creating their trademark sound that should accompany them throughout the ’70s. It is with Demons and Wizards, their fourth studio album, that Uriah Heep really took off. And this is only for the studio albums, not counting the live productions and compilations. You need to muster the creative energy to get this done in the first place. On three occasions – 1971, 1972, and 1977 – Uriah Heep produced two albums. Or ever since for that matter, alongside The Magician’s Birthday, released surprisingly that same year.Īnd let’s not forget: The ’70s were the most productive set of years in the history of the band. This one is probably one of the best, if not THE best album they made at that time. If you are looking to pick up some Uriah Heep records, there is no way around their 1972 piece Demons and Wizards.
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