Considering that it was the ninth time that the British would appear on Greek ground yet on a rainy day like last Saturday was, some doubted if the concert would have the necessary response and therefore success. Yet, Uriah Heep have repeatedly proved that they are a favorite live (and not only) band for the Greek audience that packed Gagarin.

Without a support act opening the set, the first band to appear on the stage of Gagarin was no other than the stars of the evening, whom the Greek audience welcomed with great enthusiasm. The opening song of the evening was title-track of the “Wake The Sleeper” album, from which we also heard another two songs later on, “Book Of Lies” and “Angels Walk With You”. The set included the band’s 2 new songs “Only Human” and “Corridors of Madness”, from the band’s latest release “Celebration”, that features re-recorded Uriah Heep classics plus the 2 new compositions and that was released on the occasion of the band’s 40th anniversary. And of course, most of the classics we were all expecting to listen (again) were delivered, although with such a back catalog and history it is difficult to say that a two-hour or a one-and-a-half-hour live show, like this one, can fairly include everything. The Brits with plenty of good mood and vibes communicated flawlessly with the audience, from the powerful frontman Bernie Shaw, who keeps enforcing the above ascertainment, to unique Mick Box, Phil Lanzon on keyboards, Trevor Bolder on bass and even new drummer Russell Gilbrook, and gave us some unforgettable moments performing “Free Me”, “Sunrise”, “Gypsy”, “July Morning”, “Easy Livin’” and the unique “Lady In Black”, that they saved for the encore. The audience of Athens participated with all its heart and power, singing along all the songs, except maybe during the new ones, encouraging and applauding constantly the band, whose members seemed as if they couldn’t believe what they saw or got from the audience. Bernie Shaw didn’t fail to mention once again that the audience of Athens is the best the band has ever met and, during the band’s farewell at the end of the show, he promised there will be a next time…

40 years sounds – and it is, the truth is- a really long time, Uriah Heep however have proved how tight they are as a band and how exceptionally good they ‘still’ stand on the stage. Both the older and newer generations enjoyed the band’s storming appearance, a band that knows very well what both generations want and how it can win them both. Most of the people who were there, had watched previous concerts of Uriah Heep in Athens and will probably be there the next time or even the time after next time…The undersigned will definitely be there…

Set list:

Wake The Sleeper, Return To Fantasy, Only Human, Book Of Lies, Bird Of Prey, Corridors of Madness, Love In Silence, Rain, Free Me, Sunrise, Fee ‘n’  Easy, Gypsy, Angels Walk With You, July Morning, Easy Livin’

Encore: Lady In Black


Promoter: DiDi Music


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