Some 53 years ago, a group of British lads got together to bring hard rock/metal music to the masses. They called themselves Uriah Heep after a fairly slimy character in the novel David Copperfield. There have been a lot of changes over the years – primarily in personnel – but Heep is still going strong with their new album “Chaos and Colour” released just some days ago. And the one constant, if you will, has been their lead guitarist. Mick Box has been around since the beginning, during famine and feast.
“Chaos & Colour” is an album which bristles with explosive classic rock guitars, supreme harmonies, and HEEP’s famously generous keyboard foundation. It is, unsurprisingly, an album that found its extra thrust during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was as bizarre for Uriah Heep as it was for humanity in general. There were still the looming spectre of protocols and rules to follow in the middle of 2021, as the world tried to find its feet. URIAH HEEP slowly found their way into Chapel Studios in London during the summer of 2021 as restrictions were tentatively lifted, working once again with Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Corey Taylor, Black Star Riders).
Led by Box, it is no surprise that themes of light, love and, ultimately, positivity are constant through the album eleven tracks. “One Nation, One Sun” is a journey of soaring balladic contemplation, “Fly Like An Eagle”takes the listener on a journey of meditation, whilst “Closer To Your Dreams” is a battle cry for all rockers to get out there and do it, with Shaw imploring that “So many have tried but slipped away/Now it’s time for you to have your say.” During the entire album, Bernie Shaw’s timeless vocals sit expertly beside the band’s phenomenal artistry (Mick Box – guitar, Phil Lanzon – keyboard, Russell Gilbrook – drums, Dave Rimmer – bass), rounding out exceptional performances throughout.
“The album title reflects that we were in chaotic times with being locked down, tours being cancelled, businesses folding, and all the chaos that was thrown into the world,” explains Box, “and as far as I could see it, the only colour people had was through music. It helped so many people get through those difficult years, using that strength and power which music has, to make those bad times not quite so bad.”
Mark Boardman had the opportunity recently to talk with the legendary Mick Box, to unveil tons of information about the band’s creative process, plus the inception and arrival of “Chaos and Colour”. Watch or listen to their chat below, and remember that for more interviews and other daily content, Sonic Perspectives is on Facebook, Flipboard, Twitter and YouTube, where you can be notified about new content we publish on a daily basis.
“Chaos & Colour” is available to order from in black and colored vinyl configurations, as a standard CD Digipak, a Deluxe CD packaged in a hardcover book with URIAH HEEP’s “Chaos & Colour” signature patch and in digital formats.
