Blind Golem. A silly name for a band eh? Or is it Uriah Heep playing a bit of a prank? Hmmmm, well the answer to the first question is yes – it is a silly name. And the answer to the second question is no – it’s not Uriah Heep but it is very much in the style of 1970s Heep and the late, great Ken Hensley appears on one track which may well be his last recorded output before he sadly passed last year.
Blind Golem is an amalgamation of two Italian bands – Bullfrog and Forever Heep. The latter being a Heep tribute act having a relationship with Ken appearing on stage with him a few times. The songs written for A Dream of Fantasy were sent to Ken, he agreed to guest and now we have Blind Golem’s debut album.
Whilst it is very much in the style of 70s classic Heep – and that’s a very good thing – there’s plenty of other classic rock influences going on such as Deep Purple, Rainbow and similar. It’s so well done too. A very enjoyable album indeed and would have fitted in nicely had Heep released it around 1974.
All the required elements are here. Big, swirling organ interplaying with the crisp, driving chords and solos which are very much Mick Box including much use of the wah wah pedal just like Mick.
Thumping, throbbing intricate bass lines and pounding drums – again just like Heep. Fourteen songs over around seventy minutes of pounding classic rock with one or two of those slower, haunting things like Heep did back in the day – think Rain for example.
The organ swirls and washes start straight away in the intro to the opening song – Devil in a Dream, a pulsing rocker very much Heep. Next up is Sunbreaker – another monsterous rocker with a huge riff as it bounces along. Have a listen:
And on and on it goes over the rest of the album in a similar style missing in that classic 1970s sound with the haunting, ethereal slower stuff fitting in so well.
For example the Day is Gone (which Ken Hensley guests on) is one of those soulful efforts which could have come straight off Wonderworld and the closer – A Spell and a Charm – not unlike Rain.
Yes. Blind Golem have put together an album which screams 1970s Uriah Heep – though they’ve done it on their own terms and with their own style to it. And it works.
Of course I bought it being a Heep fan of some decades. And I’m pleased to say it’s an instantly enjoyable listen much more than a homage to the good old days. This more than stands on its own two feet as an excellent listen.
And to add to the authenticity, the artwork is by none other than Rodney Matthews. Can’t go wrong there.
Whether an old Heep fan like myself or somebody who enjoys proper classic rock – Blind Golem is for you. Available in various formats – CD, download etc.