URIAH HEEP – Abominog [Japan SHM-CD mini LP remastered +6] (2026) HQ *0dayrox Exclusive*

320 /// HQ

Japanese label BELLE ANTIQUE / Ｍａｒｑｕｅｅ has started a beautiful reissue campaign of early URIAH HEEP albums pressed on SHM-CD, fully 2026 remastered, and adding rarities / previously unreleased material, all presented in a mini-LP format replica.
Here we have the last from the series (for the moment), the awesome 1982’s “Abominog” including bonus tracks.
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 the ‘Conquest’ album. However, everyone listening received an unexpected surprise when the band returned with a new line-up and a sleek, revamped sound on 1982’s ”Abominog”.
Yeah, it wasn’t the terrific ’70s hard rock beast with the classic line-up, but dude, this Eighties updated URIAH HEEP resulted fan-damn-tastic.
The new Uriah Heep that debuted on this outing was a different animal from the metal / hard rock ensemble that barnstormed its way through albums like Look At Yourself: 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.
Be aware there’s a fake version floating the net, this is the real 2025/2026 remaster, with a lot of new noticeable dynamics.

New lead vocalist Peter Goalby brought pure magic, 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 new guy 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” (written by Paul Bliss) became a hit single thanks to its combination of slick harmonies and an insidiously catchy melody.

“Abominog” is Uriah Heep updating to a new decade, a necessary new sound, and why not, the radio! While old-school fans were a bit shocked by the LP, the record quickly reveals itself to be one of the most consistent and engaging albums in the group’s lengthy catalog.

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 Lou Gramm and Ronnie James Dio. 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.
HIGHLY Recommended

BELLE ANTIQUE / Ｍａｒｑｕｅｅ
B·E·L·L·E ～ 264334
【ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】

01 – Too Scared to Run
02 – Chasing Shadows
03 – On the Rebound
04 – Hot Night In a Cold Town
05 – Running All Night (With the Lion)
06 – That’s the Way That It Is
07 – Prisoner
08 – Hot Persuasion
09 – Sell Your Soul
10 – Think It Over
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Son of a Bitch (From Abominog Junior EP)
12 – Tin Soldier (From Abominog Junior EP)
13 – Think It Over (Video Soundtrack)
14 – Too Scared to Run (Live)
15 – Sell Your Soul (Live)
16 – That’s the Way That It Is (Live)

Mick Box – guitars, backing vocals
Lee Kerslake – drums, backing vocals
Bob Daisley – bass guitar, backing vocals
John Sinclair – keyboards, backing vocals
Peter Goalby – lead vocals

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/BELLE-264334