Eternally on tour, British prog rock legends Uriah Heep are a superb and tight live band, and this latest series instalment proves that well.

The band open with 'Wake The Sleeper', the title track to their last studio album, and it is a fast rocking number that goes down well. Heavy keyboards to match the guitar, operatic vocals, it's a superb start. 'Overload' from the same album continues in similar fashion.

Then it's back to the early 70s with 'Bird Of Prey', where the guitar is searing, the keyboards intricate and standout, and the vocals even more operatic. David Byron would have been pleased, this is British Prog at its best. The current line-up are gelling well, with founder member and guitarist Mick Box on form. Bernie Shaw's vocals are superb, and Trevor Bolder proves why he's considered one of the best bassists in rock. Phil Lanzon is the best keyboard player the band have ever had and new boy drummer Russell Gilbrook is pretty damn fine too.

1974's 'Stealin'' is another classic, and 'Love In Silence' goes down well too. Then it's back to the Demons And Wizards album which they play beginning to end. The acoustic influenced 'The Wizard' opens, and while Bernie introduces most tracks there's no need to introduce the band's biggest (only?) hit 'Easy Livin''. This is a real blast.

The album completes Disc One, and Disc 2 opens with the gentler 'Rain', before blasting out 'Free'n'Easy', which is probably the closest the band ever got to high speed metal. 'Gypsy' is an organ grinding classic, while 'Look At Yourself' is another blast.

The show finishes with 'July Morning' and 'Lady In Black', 21 tracks of hard rock pleasure, beginning to end.

UH fans will love this, in fact most rock fans will.

****½

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com