DEMONS AND WIZARDS

Well I have to agree with febus, this is "The classic URIAH HEEP album". I've never been a big fan of this band but this is the album I keep around so I can spin it once in a while. Ken Hensley states: "Somebody left a space between our last American tour and our European trip and we used literally every second to put "Demons And Wizards" together". He goes on to tell how much fun they had doing this. This formula seemed to work perfectly for URIAH HEEP as this album would turn out to be their most popular.

"The Wizard" opens with acoustic guitar before vocals then a fuller sound arrive. Fantastic sound when it kicks in. "Traveller In Time" hits the ground running then settles quickly. These contrasts continue. Some nice instrumental work after 2 1/2 minutes to end it. "Easy Livin" for some reason makes me think of the name Bob. Hmmm. Anyway this is the shortest track on here but it's full of energy and organ. "Poet's Justice" opens with some excellent drumming before settling with vocals. I like the bass and organ as well. Guitar 2 1/2 minutes takes the spotlight.

"Circle Of Hands" opens with some great sounding organ. The drums and bass then kick in followed by vocals after a minute. Love the powerful undercurrent that comes and goes. Piano late. "Rainbow Demon" is dark with organ as reserved vocals come in. It picks up 1 1/2 minutes in as the chorus arrives. Some nasty organ here and some good guitar before 3 1/2 minutes. "All My Life" is another short and catchy tune like "Easy Livin" but the vocals are much more passionate at times. "Paradise / The Spell" opens with strummed guitar with drums and bass. Reserved vocals before a minute. It's darker 3 1/2 minutes in, great sound here. A change after 5 minutes as it turns uptempo with piano. Guitar and vocal melodies 7 1/2 minutes in. Vocals are back 9 1/2 minutes in then it turns uptempo with piano again 11 1/2 minutes in to end it.

4 stars for this their best album.