Prointro: Birthday

After reaching an international level of success with Demons and Wizards, Uriah Heep continued to build their fan base by knocking out another album of prog-like metal before the year's end. The end result, The Magician's Birthday, is not as consistent or cohesive as Demons and Wizards but still offers plenty of highlights…

Initially released in 1972 ‘The Magician's Birthday’ is the fifth album by British rock band Uriah Heep. Fast forward 46 years it still remains a timeless classic. Painstakingly remastered by Andy Pearce this 2CD set also includes alternative mixes that excite, reignite and rejuvenate. Extensive liner notes penned by best-selling author Joel McIver tell the story of the band’s ascent to the very top and are accompanied by new and revealing accounts of the time from Mick Box and Ken Hensley. Following the meteoric success of their previous release ‘Demons And Wizards’ that firmly cemented Heep’s legendary status ‘The Magician’s Birthday’ did not disappoint. In fact, it carried on from where the previous album left off, selling 2.5 million copies worldwide.

After almost half a year in the making, The Birthday Party was released in the UK during October 1968 and was one of the first albums to be housed in a gatefold sleeve (the first of course was by the Beatles). Jeff, Greg, Dave and Roger lounge rather dapperly around an oversized invitation asking one and all to come to their first birthday party.