Customer Reviews

Demons & Wizards

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When "Demons And Wizards" was released in 1972, Uriah Heep was quickly reaching stardom not only in their native England, but also in America. They had already released three excellent albums prior to "Demons And Wizards" and while it is one of Uriah Heep's best albums, it yielded only one hit in the U.S. with "Easy Livin". The album consists of some excellent acoustic guitar based tracks such as "The Wizard" and "Paradise" as well as some powerful electric guitar driven rockers such as "Traveller In Time", "Easy Livin'", "Poet's Justice", "Circle Of Hands","All My Life" and "The Spell". This "Expanded Deluxe Edition" of "Demons And Wizards" includes five bonus tracks, most of which were previously unreleased until now. "Why" is a ten minute track which highlights vocalist David Byron's vocals,Gary Thain's bass, and Ken Hensley's keyboards. "Rainbow Demon" is the single edit, "Proud Word's On A Dusty Shelf" is a nice pop type rocker and is an "out-take". "Home Again To You" and "Green Eye" again are unreleased tracks, both are interesting rockers. Uriah Heep continued to release some decent albums after "Demons And Wizards" going thru various member changes and continues to record today. But one thing is for sure, the definitive Uriah Heep lineup of Hensley, Box, Kerslake, Byron and Thain will always remain the best that there was. The sound quality of this version of "Demons And Wizards" is the best this reviewer has heard, with crisp highs, deep bass and higher output. The remastering surpasses the other remasters I've heard. If you enjoy classic seventies rock such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath then you owe it to yourself to add this cd to your collection.

In addition to the classic 8/9 songs of the original album, the 2005 has 5 bonus tracks. Of which only one is a repeat of an original song (Rainbow Demon).

Why is a great piece of early 70's psychdelia. It's a 12 minute track that could have been on the original album. The bass playing is fantastic, though even the band doesn't know who played bass on this track (Clarke, Thain, or even Newton.

Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf was originally on a Ken Hensley solo album, but David Bryon and the rest of the band add an extra dimension to it.

Home to You Again is another good rocker.

Green Eye is a little rough around the edges, but is still a good song.

I've been looking for this album for 5 years, tremendously glad I found it, this is some of the best music that's ever been.
All the old albums by this band have the ring of truth to them, and they rock! Ken Hensley, Rock On, wherever you are!

"Demons and Wizzards" is usually regarded as one of the finest moments in Uriah Heep history; and with good reason that is.

The album features some of Ken Hensley's finest compositions, great inspired vocals from David Byron and the band is playing very tight. On many tracks the acoustic guitar has a prominent role, a fact that help give these songs a more timeless value. The title-track is the finest example of this; simply one the greatest Uriah Heep recordings ever. Like "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin a classic in early heavy rock; powerful and melodic.

It hard to bring out any other particular track from the album, as all they are so good that they deserve a mention.

"Easy Livin'" ,which is probably the first song most people come to think of when hearing the Uriah Heep name, is a high energy rocker and a sure live-favourite; great as ever.

Another song that must be brought out is "Circle of Hands". This track contains all virtues of Uriah Heep - a catchy melodic melody, a perfect arrangement, powerful vocals, great guitars and overall tight playing. A highlight for Ken Hensley as a songwriter; Hensley, by the way, had a part in writing all songs exept "Traveller in Time".

Five bonus-tracks are added to the original nine, and they are all fine tracks in their own rights; but obviously the perfection of the original album makes it hard for these additions to really shine.

The booklet is carefully worked through, featuring great background information, interesting notes about the recording sessions, detailed credits and lyrics.

A Uriah Heep classic given a deserved first class treatment!

I love this friggin' album! Sometimes it's reminiscent of the first Sabbath, nice and gloomy. There really isn't a low spot on the album and the bonus tracks are certainly worth a few extra bucks, not to mention the sound quality.