Uriah Heep is one of the few heavy metal/hard rock outfits that can rival
Deep Purple when it comes to an abundance of personnel changes; you could write a book about the many different
Uriah Heep lineups that existed in the 1970s and 1980s. Because it was such a revolving door, its work became increasingly erratic as time passed -- many headbangers gave up on the band in the late '70s. Recorded in 1988 and 1989 and released in April 1989,
Raging Silence is the work of a band that was long past its prime. On this CD, the five-man lineup includes founder/guitarist
Mick Box as well as lead singer
Bernie Shaw, bassist
Trevor Bolder, keyboardist
Phil Lanzon, and drummer
Lee Kerslake. The material is generic arena rock -- try as it might,
Uriah Heep is unable to recapture the magic and creativity of its early years. Corporate rock items like "Cry Freedom" and "Blood Red Roses" are mildly catchy, and a cover of
Argent's "Hold Your Head Up" is pleasant enough. But even so,
Raging Silence pales in comparison to classics like 1971's
Look at Yourself and 1972's
Demons and Wizards. Not a disaster but certainly unremarkable, this CD is strictly for completists. ~ Alex Henderson