DEMONS AND WIZARDS

This seems to be the most appreciated Uriah Heep album, but for me "Salisbury" and "Magician's Birthday" left impressions of being yet better albums. The A-side of this LP is certainly wonderful, the fabulous Wizard's mountain hall being instantly seen through the illuminated Aether steaming from a boiling teakettle's sounds of the verses. Both "Traveller in Time" and "Poet's Justice" are really wonderful songs with both energetic drive, massive voice presence and relaxed mythic feeling; Elements which I find characteristic to the sound of this band's classic releases and performances. Solemn "Circle of Hands" is my own album highlight, being hopeful, touching and earthbound ins pite of the grandiose ponderings and instrumental maneuvers. Somehow the B-side of the LP sounded bit duller to my ears however. Maybe I should give that side another spins someday. I have this album as an old vinyl so I haven't heard the CD reissue bonus tracks, which might be interesting to check out too. As an anecdote I recall Roger Dean mentioned in some his books that the original painting of this album cover was destroyed in a fire.