Uriah Heep, The Garage, Glasgow, Scotland 20 Nov08

Uriah Heep returned to Glasgow after an absence of 3 years, to once again play the intimate venue of the Garage in Sauchiehall Street.

With the strictly enforced 10pm curfew at the venue (which then becomes a night club), the support act were on stage shortly after 7pm. Maccara 's sound and style complemented that of Uriah Heep well the band being appreciated by those who had made it out of the bar by that point. Hollie Evans, who only joined the band in May this year, makes for a fine front lady her powerful voice carrying the songs well. The twin guitars of the band could perhaps be better exploited, and the addition of keyboards to widen the sound would be advisable. A good set though.

Uriah Heep were on stage by just after 8pm, playing right through without a break until the bewitching hour. Unlike their previous visit, which was plagued with technical problems, the band clearly had a lot of fun this time. New drummer Russell Gilbrook makes an excellent replacement for Lee Kerslake (who left the band for health reasons) with Trevor Boulder and Gilbrook continuing the band's legendary powerhouse section.

They played the new album "Wake the sleeper" in its entirety, interspersed with favourites from the golden era. The new songs were received enthusiastically, with many of the audience clearly already being familiar with it. It was though the old songs of course which were received with the most rapture. Phil Lanzon added a wonderful intro on keyboards to "Gypsy" while the now silver haired and neatly bearded Mick Box appeared as a demigod in his usual stage right position. Mick's rapport with the audience is as legendary as his unique guitar work, and this night found his at his magnificent best.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly "Look at yourself", where the band did what they had done 35 years previously with "Circle of hands" and developed this already epic number into a full blown masterpiece.

As we chanted the "Lady in black" encore one final time, the clock ticked round to 9:59 and the band were dragged screaming from the stage. The ongoing buzz in the tight audience was however palpable for some time though.

With the passing of time, Uriah Heep have lost none of their energy, indeed this was probably the most enthusiastic performance I have seen from them, including the glory years. This is not a band content to rest on their laurels and reel out the classics, this is a band still very focused on reaching a new destiny.

'appy days!