By the dawn of the 1980s,
Uriah Heep was considered a relic in the
heavy metal world and no one was surprised when they disbanded shortly after 1980s half-hearted
Conquest album. However, everyone listening received an unexpected surprise when the band returned with a new lineup and a sleek, revamped sound on 1982's
Abominog. If one can get past the
Spinal Tap-like title and the gruesome cover art, this outing quickly reveals itself to be one of the most consistent and engaging albums in the group's lengthy catalog. The new
Uriah Heep that debuted on this outing was a different animal from the
gothic metal ensemble that barnstormed its way through albums like
Look at Yourself and
Return to Fantasy: echoes of the group's old style could be heard in the drama and instrumental firepower of the new songs, but the overall sound owed a greater debt to the
New Wave of British Heavy Metal and harder-rocking
AOR groups of the time. The tone is set by opening track
"Too Scared to Run," a dynamic rocker that contrasts its furious guitar-laden verses with a harmony-drenched chorus worthy of
Queen. Other sharp rockers in this vein include
"Running All Night (With the Lion)," a punchy rocker that pairs an ascending guitar riff with a singalong chorus, and
"Hot Persuasion," a lusty
metal opus that sounds like
Foreigner gone
metal crazy. Elsewhere, the band balances the
hard rock with mid-tempo tunes that marry their energy to sweet
AOR melodies:
"Chasing Shadows" allows
John Sinclair's keyboards to take the lead on a tune that marries power chords to
synth pop hooks, while
"That's the Way That It Is" became a hit single thanks to its combination of slick harmonies and an insidiously catchy melody. It's a diverse bill of fare but it manages to cohere nicely thanks to a tight, unified attack from the band that is built on the synthesis between
Mick Box's thick guitar riffs and
John Sinclair's symphonically layered keyboards. Special note should also be taken of the group's new vocalist,
Peter Goalby: His emphatic vocal style suggests a cross between
Ronnie James Dio and
Lou Gramm. It fits the music's powerful-yet-slick style like a glove and provides the emotional intensity necessary to put the songs over the top. In the end,
"Abominog" rocks hard enough to please
heavy metal addicts but is slick enough to win over
AOR fanatics and this combination makes it one of
Uriah Heep's most enduring achievements in the album format. [
Sanctuary's 2005 reissue included six bonus tracks.] ~ Donald A. Guarisco
