Uriah Heep, one of the most iconic classic rock bands from the 70s, have been creating music for over 50 years. “Chaos & Color”, their new studio effort, arrives nearly 5 years after “Living the Dream”. This album marks the band’s 25th studio release and is packed with power, energy and a refreshing sound. Uriah Heep’s ability to create their signature classic rock sound while keeping things fresh is impressive, and this album is no exception to that.
The album opens with the first single, “Save Me Tonight”, an upbeat rocker with catchy hooks. The song is a collaboration between bass player Davey Rimmer and Jeff Scott Soto, and sets the tone for the rest of the album. “Silver Sunlight” continues to rock, while “Hail the Sunrise” has a sweet 70s feel, reminiscent of Uriah Heep’s classic sound from that era. The same can be said for “Age of Changes”, which has a great catchy chorus. “Hurricane” is a fine straightforward rocker. “One Nation, One Night” is an amazing atmospheric power ballad that displays the band’s ability to create emotive songs. “Golden Light” is a simple, rocker in the well-known classic Heep style. “You’ll Never Be Alone” blends class rock with prog rock, while “Fly Like an Eagle” is a high-energy rocker with the band’s trademark sound. “Freedom to Be Free” is an 8+ minute prog rocker with multiple rhythm changes and a fairly “unusual”, but effective bass solo in the middle. “Closer to Your Dreams” has an “Easy Livin’” vibe to it, which makes it a good closer.
The production is tight, powerful and clear. The album engineered by Pieter Rietkirk (Crippled Black Phoenix, Editors, etc.) and produced by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Steel Panther, Black Star Riders, Amon Amarth, etc.). The instrumentation and the performances are also noteworthy.
Uriah Heep has been around for more than 50 years, and it’s incredible to see how they’ve grown and adapted to the changing times. At the same time, they stayed true to their roots, which made them famous in the first place. Other people at their age would have retired long ago, but they are still here rockin’, and reminding us that age is just a number and that what your heart desires is all that matters. “Chaos & Colour” is the perfect example of this… a fresh take on classic rock, that combines all the music elements that made Uriah Heep become who they are today.
