Abominog
Encyclopedia
Abominog was the 14th album for British rock group Uriah Heep
. It was the first album without keyboardist Ken Hensley
. The album was critically acclaimed and fairly commercially successful album due, in part, to the band retooling and updating their sound to a contemporary heavy metal style. It featured their last U.S. hits, "On the Rebound" and "That's the Way That It Is". The latter is their highest-charting single, reaching #25 on the rock charts.
briefly considered forming a new group entirely, but ultimately decided to continue with the Heep name.
With the ever-present Box on guitars, it was the first of three albums to feature both vocalist Peter Goalby
and keyboard player John Sinclair
.
It also marked the return of drummer Lee Kerslake
to the band. His previous departure had been due to his unhappiness with the management, rather than the personnel of the band.
Coming along with Kerslake was bassist Bob Daisley
, the two of whom had been founding members of Blizzard of Ozz before being fired by band vocalist Ozzy Osbourne.
s of recordings by other artists. Additionally, there is a re-recording of a song recorded by the most recent (but largely different) line up of Uriah Heep:
North American version
Abominog was remastered and reissued in 1997 with four bonus tracks:
Reissued again in 2004 with the following bonus tracks:
Uriah Heep (band)
Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
. It was the first album without keyboardist Ken Hensley
Ken Hensley
Kenneth William David Hensley is a keyboard player , guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s....
. The album was critically acclaimed and fairly commercially successful album due, in part, to the band retooling and updating their sound to a contemporary heavy metal style. It featured their last U.S. hits, "On the Rebound" and "That's the Way That It Is". The latter is their highest-charting single, reaching #25 on the rock charts.
Line up
When the previous line-up disintegrated Mick BoxMick Box
Michael Frederick Box , better known by his stage name Mick Box, is the lead guitarist of British rock group Uriah Heep, having previously been a member of The Stalkers and Spice, both with original Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron. He is the only member from the band's founding in 1969 who is...
briefly considered forming a new group entirely, but ultimately decided to continue with the Heep name.
With the ever-present Box on guitars, it was the first of three albums to feature both vocalist Peter Goalby
Peter Goalby
Peter Goalby is a singer and guitarist. He was the lead vocalist for Uriah Heep between 1982–1985, recording three albums with the band. He also wrote Blood Red Roses, recorded by the band for their 1989 album Raging Silence and released as the second single from the album.Before singing for Uriah...
and keyboard player John Sinclair
John Sinclair (musician)
John Sinclair is a keyboardist who has played for bands such as The Babys, Heavy Metal Kids, Savoy Brown, The Cult, but is probably best known for his time in Uriah Heep and playing for Ozzy Osbourne's band...
.
It also marked the return of drummer Lee Kerslake
Lee Kerslake
Lee Kerslake is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne band...
to the band. His previous departure had been due to his unhappiness with the management, rather than the personnel of the band.
Coming along with Kerslake was bassist Bob Daisley
Bob Daisley
Robert John "Bob" Daisley is an Australian musician, bassist and lyricist who has performed in genres of rock, blues, R&B, hard rock and metal.-Early career:...
, the two of whom had been founding members of Blizzard of Ozz before being fired by band vocalist Ozzy Osbourne.
Cover versions
One of the most noticeable things about "Abominog" is that 5 of the 10 tracks are cover versionCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
s of recordings by other artists. Additionally, there is a re-recording of a song recorded by the most recent (but largely different) line up of Uriah Heep:
- "On the Rebound" originally recorded by Russ BallardRuss BallardRussell Glyn Ballard is an English singer, songwriter and musician.-Career:Ballard was initially a guitarist with Buster Meikle & The Day Breakers in 1961, together with Roy Ballard, Russ's older brother on piano and Bob Henrit on drums...
, from his "Russ Ballard & the Barnet Dogs" album (1980). - "Hot Night in a Cold Town" originally recorded by John Cougar, from his "Nothing Matters And What If It Did" album (1979), and John Kay & Steppenwolf from their "WolftracksWolftracksWolftracks is an album by John Kay and Steppenwolf, released in 1982 . It was originally released only in Canada and Australia.-Track listing:#"All I Want Is All You Got" - 3:55...
" album (1982). The song was written by songwriters Geoffrey Cushing-MurrayGeoffrey Cushing-MurrayGeoffrey Cushing-Murray is an American songwriter. He served as a decorated Army officer in Vietnam and studied English at UCLA, where he was a member of the varsity fencing team. He has written songs such as "Hot Night in a Cold Town" which was covered by John Mellencamp, Uriah Heep and Steppenwolf...
/Richard Littlefield. - "Running All Night (with the Lion)" was originally recorded by Lion, from their "Running All Night" album (1980). Lion keyboard player John SinclairJohn Sinclair (musician)John Sinclair is a keyboardist who has played for bands such as The Babys, Heavy Metal Kids, Savoy Brown, The Cult, but is probably best known for his time in Uriah Heep and playing for Ozzy Osbourne's band...
brought this song with him when he joined Uriah Heep. - "That's the Way That It Is" originally recorded by Paul Bliss and The Bliss Band, from the "Neon Smiles" album (1979).
- "Prisoner" originally recorded by Sue Saad and the NextSue Saad and the NextSue Saad and the Next was an American New Wave band from Los Angeles, California. Its self-titled first and only album reached #131 in the US Billboard 200 in 1980. Although sometimes characterized as one hit wonders, the band has achieved a significant cult following in subsequent years following...
, from their self titled album (1980). Lyrics by D.B. (Dirty Boy) Cooper. - "Think It Over" originally recorded by the previous lineup of Uriah HeepUriah Heep (band)Uriah Heep are an English rock band formed in London in 1969 and regarded as a seminal classic hard rock act of the 1970s. Uriah Heep's progressive/art rock/heavy metal fusion's distinctive features have always been massive keyboards sound, strong vocal harmonies and David Byron's operatic vocals...
featuring John SlomanJohn SlomanJohn Sloman was born as John Anthony David Sloman in Cardiff , 26 April 1957 as the eldest of six children. He is a former member of Trapper, Pulsar, Lone Star, and Uriah Heep...
on lead vocal, the a-side from their single "Think It Over/My Joanna Needs Tuning (Inside Out)" (1980).
Track listing
UK/European version- "Too Scared to Run" (Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 3:49
- "Chasing Shadows" (Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 4:39
- "On the Rebound" (Ballard) – 3:14
- "Hot Night in a Cold Town" (Cushing-Murray, Littlefield) – 4:03
- "Running All Night" (with the Lion)" (Farr, Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 4:28
- "That's the Way That It Is" (Bliss) – 4:06
- "Prisoner" (Lance, Cooper, Riparetti) – 4:33
- "Hot Persuasion" (Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 3:48
- "Sell Your Soul" (Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 5:25
- "Think It Over" (Sloman, Bolder) – 3:42
North American version
- "Too Scared to Run" (Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 3:49
- "Chasing Shadows" (Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 4:39
- "On the Rebound" (Ballard) – 3:14
- "Prisoner" (Lance, Cooper, Riparetti) – 4:33
- "Sell Your Soul" (Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 5:25
- "That's the Way That It Is" (Bliss) – 4:06
- "Think It Over" (Sloman, Bolder) – 3:42
- "Hot Night in a Cold Town" (Cushing-Murray, Littlefield) – 4:03
- "Hot Persuasion" (Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 3:48
- "Running All Night" (with the Lion)" (Farr, Box, Daisley, Goalby, Kerslake, Sinclair) – 4:28
Abominog was remastered and reissued in 1997 with four bonus tracks:
- "Tin SoldierTin Soldier (song)"Tin Soldier" is a Rock song written by Steve Marriott . It was released on 2 December 1967, by the popular English band Small Faces. The song peaked at number nine in the UK singles chart.-Song profile:...
" (from Abominog Junior) - "Son Of A Bitch" (from Abominog Junior)
- "That's The Way That It Is" (Demo)
- "Hot Persuasion" (Demo)
Reissued again in 2004 with the following bonus tracks:
- "Tin Soldier" (from Abominog Junior)
- "Son Of A Bitch" (from Abominog Junior)
- "Think It Over" (Alternate Version)
- "Too Scared To Run" (Live)
- "Sell Your Soul" (Live)
- "That's The Way That It Is" (Live)
Abominog Junior EP
- On The Rebound – A-side
- Tin Soldier – non LP B-side (Small Faces cover)
- Son Of A Bitch – non LP B-side
Personnel
- Peter GoalbyPeter GoalbyPeter Goalby is a singer and guitarist. He was the lead vocalist for Uriah Heep between 1982–1985, recording three albums with the band. He also wrote Blood Red Roses, recorded by the band for their 1989 album Raging Silence and released as the second single from the album.Before singing for Uriah...
– lead vocals - Mick BoxMick BoxMichael Frederick Box , better known by his stage name Mick Box, is the lead guitarist of British rock group Uriah Heep, having previously been a member of The Stalkers and Spice, both with original Uriah Heep vocalist David Byron. He is the only member from the band's founding in 1969 who is...
– guitars - John SinclairJohn Sinclair (musician)John Sinclair is a keyboardist who has played for bands such as The Babys, Heavy Metal Kids, Savoy Brown, The Cult, but is probably best known for his time in Uriah Heep and playing for Ozzy Osbourne's band...
– keyboards, synthesizer, guitars, back-up vocals - Bob DaisleyBob DaisleyRobert John "Bob" Daisley is an Australian musician, bassist and lyricist who has performed in genres of rock, blues, R&B, hard rock and metal.-Early career:...
- bass guitar - Lee KerslakeLee KerslakeLee Kerslake is an English musician, best known as the longtime drummer and backing vocalist for the rock band Uriah Heep, in addition to his work in the Ozzy Osbourne band...
– drums