Uriah Heep signs with Sanctuary Records

[tsorl]

URIAH HEEP Signs With SANCTUARY RECORDS - Jan. 2, 2007
U.K. hard rock legends URIAH HEEP have signed a new, exclusive worldwide recording deal with Sanctuary Records. The band will go into pre-production rehearsals in February. Recording sessions for the HEEP's 21st official studio album will take place during March/April with producer Mike Paxman. The follow-up to 1998's "Sonic Origami" will feature at least ten new tracks and is scheduled for release late summer.

Commented URIAH HEEP manager Simon Porter: "We thought very carefully about the new deal before deciding that Sanctuary is the natural home for the band at this moment in time. They know the band well and have done an extremely good on marketing the back catalogue. More importantly, they are extremely enthusiastic about the band and can't wait to get their teeth into a new album. I also believe that Mike Paxman will add a 'back-to-basics-with-a-21st-century-twist' approach to the recording process which will result in a welcome return to the classic HEEP sound from which the success of the band was originally built."

Added URIAH HEEP's Mick Box: "We are very pleased to be able to make this announcement as we have been waiting for this as much as the fans. There is much excitement in the Heep camp and we hope to put an 18-month world tour planner around the new album. We are pleased to have Mike Paxman wear the producer's hat as he has a varied producer's record which we think will benefit our music. He has already spent some time with Phil and I going over the songs already written and there is a good buzz with what we have thus far and we have been exchanging ideas to get the best out of each song. Trevor is presently finishing off the building of his home studio and will bring his songs to the table too. I am presently in Australia and then will be moving on to New Zealand on a much-needed holiday with my family. I return mid-January and Mike and I have arranged to meet up and make the important choice of studios we want to use. He has investigated this already and we have had discussions about this but we just have to find the right studio we feel will help us get the results we are looking for and then book it. So you can see there are exciting times ahead and I want to thank each and every one of you reading this for your continued support and faith that in the end we will have a new CD."

Sanctuary Records' Jonathan Richards commented: "Sanctuary Records are delighted to continue their association with URIAH HEEP and are very much looking forward to releasing their brand new album in 2007. It has been both an honour and privilege to work with the band and their rich recorded legacy over the years and we're eager to continue our partnership into the new millennium with new music from one of the U.K.'s greatest hard rock bands."

Great to hear there's a new album coming. I still insist that all you old school Heep fans need to hear Sonic Origami (1998) and especially Sea of Light (1995). Also catch them live while you still can, they put on an awesome show for a bunch of 60-year old geezers.

 

[Death Animal]

What they are still alive.

 

[Fangface]

Great to hear there's a new album coming. I still insist that all you old school Heep fans need to hear Sonic Origami (1998) and especially Sea of Light (1995). Also catch them live while you still can, they put on an awesome show for a bunch of 60-year old geezers.

I bought "Sea of Light" a few months ago for 2 euros (probably the cheapest CD I've ever bought), seems like nobody wanted to get it, even for this ridiculous price.

Now maybe I should unwrap the plastic and give it a listen

 

[corrupted old gnom]

good news...though i haven't listened to anything "new" of'em
i actually planned on seeing'em live (acoustic show) a few weeks ago...but couldn't go in the end

 

[tsorl]

I bought "Sea of Light" a few months ago for 2 euros (probably the cheapest CD I've ever bought), seems like nobody wanted to get it, even for this ridiculous price.

Now maybe I should unwrap the plastic and give it a listen

I'd say it's about time you did that.

Against The Odds, Universal Wheels, Fear Of Falling etc. are just totally killer tracks, if you disagree there's something wrong with you I'm afraid...

 

[tsorl]

So 1½ years later the album, entitled "Wake The Sleeper", is finally released. I haven't heard the whole thing yet but going by 3 songs or so I'd say it's pretty rockin' stuff indeed.

Here's "Overload":

 

[labrekk]

I just listened to that new Heep CD for the 2nd time and it rocks big time. The 1st (and almost instrumental) song (the title track) is almost a power metal song with the double bass drumming... Much heavier than the sleep-inducer Sonic Origami. A return to the style of the heavier tracks of Sea Of Light. Great comeback for the old geezers. Hopefully someone will buy the damn album though....

Anyone bought it here yet? If so, does your copy has a typo on the back insert for the track "Tears Of The World"? Mine says "Teas of the World" instead...

 

[Assault_Attack]

I like that track "overload" sounds very promising.........

 

[razoredge]

I was checking out their videos on youtube this past year and they are sounding great live. I havent been crazy about much of the song writing since Magicians Birthday, and signs of decline were present at that time. Much since has been too poppy.