ABOMINOG

A hardly progressive album indeed but still a really good hard rock effort. Ken Hensley left the band leaving "a huge void" and Mick Box had thoughts of quiting for good. Fortunately it did not happen. With his long time friend Lee Kerslake he reinvented Uriah Heep; but unfortunately not a progressive UH.

Keyboardist John Sinclair is no Ken Hensley but still he did a very good job here; vocalist Peter Goalby was a much better choice - compared to Sloman and even Lawton simply because he could sing the 70s works much better than his two predecessors - but not better than his follower Bernie Shaw. Peter Goalby is amazing on all songs, he" sings his heart out", he sings with passion; Mick Box is the main songwriter, trying to fit or fill Hensley's shoes - sometimes he manages, sometimes he does not, nevertheless, Box provides on Abominog some of his best guitar work, great riffs and solos. Bassist Bob Daisley fitted in perfectly ( I like Bolder more) and did a good job.

The highlights of the albums (IMHO) are The Way that It Is, Too Scared to Run, Running All Night (with the Lion), Sell your Soul, Prisoner and Chasing Shadows; there are no fillers on this album, even On the Rebound with its synthetic beat is saved by Mick's guitar solo. I have some problems (meaning complaining) with some songs on the next two albums, but no problem, no complaining with Abominog.

This albums will work nicely with Uriah Heep diehard fans but it won't satisfy many progheads not to mention prog purists. Abominog is a catchy and enjoyable, really good hard rocking album, highly recommended for people that like AOR, hard rock, even heavy metal. Three stars from me, just because of the vague touch of progressiveness it has; nevertheless, this album will get a maximum rating on a rock site let's say, but just three stars on a prog-rock one.