Raging Silence [Castle Bonus Tracks] [Remaster]

Performer: Uriah Heep
Engineer: Richard Dodd; Richard Dodd
Producer: Richard Dodd; Richard Dodd; Robert M. Corich (Reissue)
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Uriah Heep: Bernie Shaw (vocals); Mick Box (guitar, background vocals); Phil Lanzon (keyboards, string synthesizer, background vocals); Trevor Bolder (bass, background vocals); Lee Kerslake (drums, background vocals). Additional personnel: Marie Zackojiva (spoken vocals); Brett Morgan (drums); Frank Ricotti (percussion). Recorded at PRT Studios, London, England between December 13, 1988 and February 13, 1989. Originally released on Legacy (LLP 120). Includes liner notes by Robert M. Corich. Digitally remastered by Mike Brown and Robert M. Corich. Personnel: Mick Box (vocals, guitar); Phil Lanzon (vocals, strings, keyboards); Trevor Bolder (vocals, bass guitar); Lee Kerslake (vocals, drums); Bernie Shaw (vocals); Marie Zackojiva (spoken vocals); Brett Morgan (drums); Frank Ricotti (percussion). Audio Mixer: Robert M. Corich. Audio Remasterers: Michael Brook; Robert M. Corich. Liner Note Author: Robert M. Corich. Recording information: Boathouse Studios (12/??/1988-02/13/1989); PRT Studios, London, England (12/??/1988-02/13/1989); Rooster Studios (12/??/1988-02/13/1989). Arrangers: Richard Dodd; Phil Lanzon; Ashley Howe; Uriah Heep. Uriah Heep is one of the few heavy metal/hard rock outfits that can rival Deep Purple when it comes to an abundance of personnel changes; you could write a book about the many different Uriah Heep lineups that existed in the 1970s and 1980s. Because it was such a revolving door, its work became increasingly erratic as time passed -- many headbangers gave up on the band in the late '70s. Recorded in 1988 and 1989 and released in April 1989, Raging Silence is the work of a band that was long past its prime. On this CD, the five-man lineup includes founder/guitarist Mick Box as well as lead singer Bernie Shaw, bassist Trevor Bolder, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, and drummer Lee Kerslake. The material is generic arena rock -- try as it might, Uriah Heep is unable to recapture the magic and creativity of its early years. Corporate rock items like "Cry Freedom" and "Blood Red Roses" are mildly catchy, and a cover of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up" is pleasant enough. But even so, Raging Silence pales in comparison to classics like 1971's Look at Yourself and 1972's Demons and Wizards. Not a disaster but certainly unremarkable, this CD is strictly for completists. ~ Alex Henderson Uriah Heep is one of the few heavy metal/hard rock outfits that can rival Deep Purple when it comes to an abundance of personnel changes; you could write a book about the many different Uriah Heep lineups that existed in the 1970s and 1980s. Because it was such a revolving door, its work became increasingly erratic as time passed -- many headbangers gave up on the band in the late '70s. Recorded in 1988 and 1989 and released in 1990, Raging Silence is the work of a band that was long past its prime. On this CD, the five-man lineup includes founder/guitarist Mick Box as well as lead singer Bernie Shaw, bassist Trevor Bolder, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, and drummer Lee Kerslake. The material is generic arena rock -- try as it might, Uriah Heep is unable to recapture the magic and creativity of its early years. Corporate rock items like "Cry Freedom" and "Blood Red Roses" are mildly catchy, and a cover of Argent's "Hold Your Head Up" is pleasant enough. But even so, Raging Silence pales in comparison to classics like 1971's Look at Yourself and 1972's Demons and Wizards. The bonus track is a live performance of Look at Yourself's title song, which, unfortunately, only serves as reminder of how average the studio material is. Not a disaster but certainly unremarkable, this CD is strictly for completists. [In 2006, Sanctuary released a version of Raging Silence that includes seven bonus tracks.] ~ Alex Henderson

Despite a Spinal Tap-like inability to secure a drummer, British band Uriah Heep has continued to roll with the punches since 1969. Their eclectic approach to rock folds Tolkeinian dragons-and-dwarves imagery into grand musical themes that draw on prog, metal, acid rock, and pastoral folk. The band were fairly popular in the U.K. in the '70s, and their albums charted respectably in the U.S. during this time as well. As the musical landscape shifted in the later '70s, the band's popularity died down, but they have continued to release albums (their live discography is rather lengthy) and tour, and remain popular in Eastern Europe and Japan.

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