SEA OF LIGHT

A great band has always came back! And Uriah Heep proves it in smashing way! Sea of Light returns us to the time, when Uriah Heep had been in its element. This album is very good one, without imitating the classic sound of the band during the 70s. It comprises its own sound, typical of the middle of the 90s - a period with a couple of very good albums made by classic rock bands (the other being Rainbow - Stranger in Us All and Deep Purple - Perpendicular).

In my opinion, Sea of Light is memorable work, mainly, because of its variety. When you listen to this album three of four times you already know the half of the songs. Almost all of the songs are quite much memorable. Interesting for me is the fact, that the album is divided on two different ideological parts in terms of the mood they carries. The first one is situated between first and sixth song. The second part - between seventh and twelfth. The first one brings smashing feelings. The second one is more... questionable! It contains slower songs with philosophical nuance. It's very often, when I want to listen to some song from the first half; next time, contrariwise. But for sure, all of them are memorable. This reveals the high-class quality of the album.

Against the Odds, Time of Revelation and Universal Wheels are hard-rocking and progressive pieces with great musicianship and songwriting. Sweet Sugar is soft rock/rock & roll song. Mistress of All Time - power ballad with interesting parts. Fear of Falling - very interesting song with lead vocals by Trevor Bolder. This song is the first alternative rock approach for the band. Now, let begin with the second part... But the truth is - all songs here are philosophcal, except Fires of Hell which reminds me Sweet Sugar in terms of genre.

Overall, very good work with memorable songs and two different parts. One of the best post-70s' albums for the band (along with Wake the Sleeper and Conquest) with deserving 4 stars mark.