URIAH HEEP Guitarist Checks In From The Road

Guitarist Mick Box of legendary progressive rock veterans URIAH HEEP has issued the following update from the road:

"Well, we have played four shows now and the set list is really beginning to bed in now. You probably know by now we are not playing it safe and we are performing the whole of the 'Wake The Sleeper' CD plus some of the classic HEEP songs. This is a very brave move but we had to give it a go as we had been playing the last set for quite some time. It was time to stand up and be counted.

"The set has been very well received so far and the response each night has been wonderful, very warm and very heartfelt. I am sure the people who come to the show can see the effort we have made to get this set of songs as powerful as we can and with a nice balance between the old and new songs. We have even introduced the original intro to 'Gypsy' which is going down a storm each night and sounds super powerful.

"We have been getting on very well with THIN LIZZY and these German shows are a rock night extravaganza for the fans and one they will never forget. Although we have only been on the road for nearly a week, the dreaded cold germs have began to surface. First to be hit is Phil and Christos and we can only hope it does not get passed on to everyone. The set is very demanding and very rewarding at the same time. I will be interested to read the reviews as they surface. They certainly cannot deny the fact that we have been brave and not taken the easy option as some bands do and just play a couple of new songs amongst the hits and the classics. The backdrop when we can get the whole thing up looks tremendous and helps give a freshness to how the stage looks and having merchandising is a real plus too. We even have a programme which we have not had for at least 20 years.

"This is a very exciting phase of our career and there is a genuine buzz and excitement surrounding us at the moment which is very uplifting. We look forward to seeing you all out on the road and a big thanks to all of you that have bought 'Wake The Sleeper' and merchandising so far as we do appreciate your support.

URIAH HEEP released its first studio album in almost ten years, "Wake The Sleeper", in the U.S. on August 26 via Noise/Sanctuary Records.

Recorded in 2007, "Wake The Sleeper" was produced by Mike Paxman (STATUS QUO, JUDIE TZUKE).

URIAH HEEP's progressive heavy metal made the British band one of the most popular hard rock groups of the early '70s. Formed by guitarist Mick Box and vocalist David Byron in the late '60s, URIAH HEEP released their debut album "Very 'eavy... Very 'umble" in 1970. Since then the band has released 20 studio albums and played to millions of fans across the globe. URIAH HEEP remain one of British rock's most consistent and long-standing acts with album sales of over 30 million worldwide. "Wake The Sleeper" is URIAH HEEP's 21st studio album.