Wake the Sleeper is a grand, solid effort by 2008’s Uriah Heep, a unit with two remaining long-time members (Mick Box, Trevor Bolder) from their glory days as a singles-producing, best-selling British blues-rock band.  Steeped in the progressive rock of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Uriah Heep has already produced classics like Demons and Wizards, Magician’s Birthday, Sweet Freedom, all with singles to bolster the album and career.  The band had been recently vacated by longtime mainstay, Lee Kerslake, due to illness and Ken Hensley, whose influence fed the band for decades had been out for many years.  By the sound of it, this version of Heep has not suffered for it.

For those skeptical of the band, particularly after the loss of most of the original members, Wake the Sleeper, is aptly titled.  The eleven tracks found on this latest Heep album will endear you and surprise you.  Bernie Shaw’s vocals are strong and convincing, dispelling any doubt that he belongs.  Mick Box and Trevor Bolder has done a magnificent job of reinvigorating the band’s musical style.  The songs’ structure are classic and will bring to mind the old Heep ably enough.

If you’re an old Uriah Heep fan, I encourage you to investigate Heep now.  You will be thrilled and happy to hear them once again in all of their strength.