URIAH HEEP – Demons and Wizards ’72 [Japan 2xSHM-CD mini LP remastered] (2026) HQ *Exclusive*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

Japanese label BELLE ANTIQUE / Ｍａｒｑｕｅｅ has started a beautiful reissue campaign of early URIAH HEEP albums pressed on SHM-CD, fully remastered, and adding an extra disc of rarities / previously unreleased material, all presented in a mini-LP format replica. The original album on SHM-CD 1 has been newly remastered by noted engineer Andy Pearce (Rock Candy Records).
Here’s ”Demons and Wizards [2x SHM-CD remastered]”, 1972’s Heep fourth album, and their most famous, with the defiant rocker “Easy Livin'” single entering the US Billboard Hot 100 chart reaching No. 39, making it Heep’s first and only American Top 40 hit.
For ‘Demons and Wizards’, URIAH HEEP made personnel changes with New Zealander Gary Thain on bass, and legendary drummer Lee Kerslake (a former bandmate of Ken Hensley’s in the Gods and Toe Fat), solidifiing the rhythm section. The pair’s obvious chemistry, and superior musical ability, immediately elevated the whole band to a new level. Thus the “classic” Uriah Heep line up was formed – everything just clicked into place.

Musically, ‘Demons and Wizards’ showcases a self-assured swagger of a band sure of its capabilities. And really focused on creating the right sound for themselves. The success is of course based a lot on David Byron‘s stellar vocal cords, Mick Box on lead guitar, and Ken Hensley with his keyboard prowess and vocals. Not to forget Lee Kerslake providing the drum work. Lee – by the way – went on to feature on many of this band’s best-selling albums still to come in the future.
Byron’s performance demonstrate his capable helmsmanship of both the most subtle of contemplative bits and the loudest of rock roars.

From short, sharp hard rock songs to lengthy, musically dense epics, ”Demons and Wizards” finds Uriah Heep covering all the bases with style and power. The album’s approach is set with its lead-off track, “The Wizard”: it starts as a simple acoustic tune but soon builds into a stately rocker that surges forth on a Wall of Sound built from thick guitar riffs, churchy organ, and operatic vocal harmonies.
“Traveller in Time” is a fantasy-themed rocker built on thick wah-wah guitar riffs, and “Circle of Hands,” a stately power ballad with a gospel-meets-heavy metal feel to it.

”Demons and Wizards” also produced a notable radio hit for the band in “Easy Livin’,” a punchy little rocker whose raging blend of fuzz guitar and swirling organ made it feel like a rollecoaster. Still awesome today 50+ years after.

Also, a top highlight of the album is the closing medley of “Paradise” and “The Spell”: the first part of the medley starts in an acoustic folk mode and slowly adds layers of organ and electric guitar until it becomes a forceful, slow-tempo rocker, while the second half is a punchy, organ-led rocker that includes an instrumental midsection where choral-style harmonies fortify a killer guitar solo from Hensley.

All in all, ”Demons and Wizards” works both as a showcase for Uriah Heep’s instrumental firepower and an excellent display of their songwriting skills in a variety of hard rock styles.
As a result, it is considered by many fans to be their finest hour and is definitely worth a spin for anyone with an interest in 1970s hard rock / heavy metal.
A CLASSIC

BELLE ANTIQUE / Ｍａｒｑｕｅｅ
B·E·L·L·E ～ 264331/32
【ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】

＜DISC 1＞
01 – The Wizard
02 – Traveller In Time
03 – Easy Livin’
04 – Poet’s Justice
05 – Circle Of Hands
06 – Rainbow Demon
07 – All My Life
08 – Paradise
09 – The Spell

＜DISC 2＞
01 – Easy Livin’ (alternate version)
02 – Rainbow Demon (alternative version)
03 – Traveller in Time (alternative version)
04 – Paradise (alternative version)
05 – The Spell (alternative version)
06 – All My Life (alternative version)
07 – Home Again to You (alternative version)
08 – Why (alternative version)
09 – The Wizard (alternative version)
10 – Poet’s Justice (alternative version)
11 – Circle of Hands (alternative version)
12 – Proud Words (alternative version)
13 – Green Eye (alternative version)
14 – Why (alternate single edit)

David Byron – lead vocals
Mick Box – guitars
Ken Hensley – keyboards, guitars, co-lead vocals on “Paradise” and “The Spell”
Lee Kerslake – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Gary Thain – bass guitar
Mark Clarke – bass guitar on “The Wizard”, “Why”, co-lead vocals on “The Wizard”

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/BELLE-264331