Wake the Sleeper
Wake the Sleeper | ||||
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Studio album by Uriah Heep | ||||
Released | 2 June 2008 | |||
Recorded | 2007 at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, UK | |||
Length | 50:46 | |||
Label | Sanctuary Records/Universal Music | |||
Producer | Mike Paxman[1] | |||
Uriah Heep chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [2] |
World of Music | [3] |
Wake the Sleeper is the 21st studio album by the rock band Uriah Heep. It is their first studio album since 1998's Sonic Origami. It is also their first album since 1980's "Conquest" without long-time drummer Lee Kerslake, who had to withdraw from the band due to ill health in 2007, putting an end to the band's longest-lasting lineup (which existed for 21 years).
The album was released on 2 June 2008 in Europe, after having the September 2007 release rescheduled (initially to March 2008) as a result of the purchase of Sanctuary Records by Universal Music. This was to allow proper promotion of the album, rather than it be 'lost' during the changeover and, although frustrating for them, was something the band members supported.
Wake the Sleeper was released in the U.S.A. on 26 August 2008.
This album will also be released as a 12" vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve.[4]
The song "What Kind of God" was inspired by the book "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" by Dee Brown (1970), which refers to the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Wake the Sleeper was nominated by Classic Rock Magazine as the Album of the Year.
On the supporting tour the band would generally play all songs from the album, interspersed with songs from their past releases.
Track listing
All songs written by Mick Box and Phil Lanzon, except where noted.
- "Wake the Sleeper" - 3:33
- "Overload" - 5:58
- "Tears of the World" - 4:45
- "Light of a Thousand Stars" - 3:57
- "Heaven's Rain" - 4:16
- "Book of Lies" - 4:05
- "What Kind of God" - 6:37
- "Ghost of the Ocean" - 3:22
- "Angels Walk With You" (Trevor Bolder) - 5:24
- "Shadow" (Lanzon) - 3:35
- "War Child" (Bolder, Tony Gallagher) - 5:07
Personnel
- Phil Lanzon - Keyboards, Vocals
- Russell Gilbrook - Drums, Vocals
- Bernie Shaw - Vocals
- Mick Box - Guitars, Vocals
- Trevor Bolder - Bass Guitar, Vocals
- Additional personnel
- Chris West - recording assistant
- Mark "Tufty" Evans - mixing at Wispington Studios in Berkshire, UK
- Denis Blackham - mastering
- Skye Mastering - masterer
- Ioannis - art direction, design, cover artwork, and digital art
- CCPHOTOART - photography
Chart performance
Chart | Position |
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Swiss Albums Top 100 | 55 |
Sweden Albums Top 60 | 55 |
UK Albums Chart | 172 |
References
- ↑ Wake the Sleeper @ metalstorm.ee
- ↑ Ruhlmann, William. Wake the Sleeper review allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2009-11-22.
- ↑ "musik angehört". WOM magazin (in German). World of Music (8 September): 29.
- ↑ The Official Wake The Sleeper mini-site on Flash