Uriah Heep – live at Koko

Few bands these days can claim to have been around since the birth of a musical genre, let alone say that they were part of a scene that would revolutionise the stale and tired UK blues-rock movement, creating a sound that would dominate the music world in one way or another for the next 45 years and beyond…
Uriah Heep is one such band, and with their latest release, culled from a fantastic performance at Koko in London’s Camden, they prove that they are still worthy of their position in the pantheons of Rock and Roll…

There are no surprises here in terms of the set list, all the classics are here. I can say in all honestly however, the sheer venom in the performance from start to finish has a freshness that betrays the fact that they have performed these songs a thousand times before while at the same time reinforces what we already knew. Uriah Heep is a band that is still very much on top of their game and remains the standard bearers for British heavy metal.
Right from the outset, the energy the band generates is at fever pitch. With more bang than a minefield the pace is electrifying.
Unlike a lot of live albums which can seem sterile after a few listens, Live at Koko remains fresh time after time. What’s more, you actually feel like you’re part of the audience.

The whole performance is a master class in how to construct a set. Perfectly balanced, flowing as it takes you on a journey through rock history. This is one of the best live albums I have had the pleasure of listening to in the last 10 years.
There are few bands around these days that can claim to have been around since the birth of Heavy Metal. I’m here to tell you that Uriah Heep are survivors. They’ve survived the wilderness of the lean years, when metal was seriously uncool and they’ve come out the other side stronger than ever.

Cd1 : Against The Odds; Overload; Traveller In Time; Sunrise; Stealin’; I’m Ready; Can’t Take That Away; Between Two Worlds; One Minute; Nail On The Head.

Cd2 : Into The Wild; Gypsy; Look At Yourself; Box Wah Box; July Morning; Lady In Black; Free’n’Easy; Easy Livin’.

Dvd (Blu Ray) : Against The Odds; Overload; Traveller In Time; Sunrise; Stealin’; I’m Ready; Can’t Take That Away; Between Two Worlds; One Minute; Nail On The Head; Into The Wild; Gypsy; Look At Yourself; Box Wah Box; July Morning; Lady In Black; Free’n’Easy; Easy Livin’.

URIAH HEEP
Mick Box, Philip Lanzon, Bernie Shaw, Russell Gilbrook, Dave Rimmer