Sonic Origami
Sonic Origami is the twentieth studio album by the British hard rock band Uriah Heep, released in September 1998.[1][2] Produced by Pip Williams, it marks a return to the band's classic sound while incorporating progressive rock influences, featuring a runtime of approximately 79 minutes across 14 tracks on the standard edition.[3][4] The album was recorded at Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Oxfordshire, England, and initially issued in Europe by Eagle Records, with a U.S. release following in 1999 via Spitfire Records.[5][6] The record showcases the longstanding lineup of vocalist Bernie Shaw, guitarist and founder Mick Box, bassist Trevor Bolder, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, and drummer Lee Kerslake, delivering energetic hard rock anthems alongside more introspective ballads.[7] Key tracks include the epic opener "Between Two Worlds," which blends heavy riffs and soaring harmonies, and the closing suite "The Golden Palace," praised for its orchestral grandeur and thematic depth.[2][8] A limited edition CD included a bonus track, "Sweet Pretender," adding to its collectible appeal.[9][5] Critically, Sonic Origami is regarded as one of Uriah Heep's strongest efforts from their later period, lauded for its filler-free songwriting, dynamic production, and revival of the band's signature Hammond organ-driven sound.[2][8] Reviewers highlighted its balance of fun, spiritual undertones, and classic rock vitality, positioning it as a spiritual successor to earlier masterpieces like Demons and Wizards.[10][11] Despite the band's evolving lineup over decades, the album reaffirmed Uriah Heep's enduring influence in the hard rock genre.[12]Background
Conception
Sonic Origami was conceived as Uriah Heep's 20th studio album in the late 1990s, building on the progressive hard rock elements of their previous release, Sea of Light (1995).[13][2] With the band's lineup stable since its revival in the 1980s—featuring founding guitarist Mick Box, keyboardist Phil Lanzon (who joined in 1986), bassist Trevor Bolder, drummer Lee Kerslake, and vocalist Bernie Shaw (who joined in 1985)—the group decided to record the album in 1998 amid their ongoing international tours.[4][14] Core members Mick Box and Phil Lanzon, as the primary songwriters, engaged in discussions to evolve the band's sound while honoring its historical legacy, resulting in a varied collection that continued the progressive shift initiated on Sea of Light through a mix of up-tempo rockers and softer, harmonious pieces.[2][15] The project was planned to capture this refreshed approach on a single long disc with a runtime of 75:33.[2]Dedication
Sonic Origami serves as a tribute to Uriah Heep's deceased founding members, original lead vocalist David Byron and bassist Gary Thain, underscoring the album's emotional depth as a reflection on the band's history. Byron, who shaped the group's early sound with his commanding presence and innovative vocal style, passed away on February 28, 1985, at age 38 from alcohol-related complications, including liver disease and seizures. Thain, whose melodic bass playing added a distinctive groove to the band's progressive hard rock, died on December 8, 1975, at age 27 from respiratory failure due to a heroin overdose.[16] The dedication is prominently featured in the album's liner notes and the opening track "Between Two Worlds," co-written by guitarist Mick Box and keyboardist Phil Lanzon, which imagines a conversation with those who have passed away. Box described the song's inspiration as stemming from a desire to connect with departed loved ones, specifically centering on Byron and Thain to honor their lasting impact on Uriah Heep's musical identity. He noted that while the track primarily pays homage to these two members, its themes of peace and remembrance extend to others lost over the years, such as his own mother.[17] Byron's contributions were foundational, particularly his role in developing the band's signature multi-part vocal harmonies, evident in classics like "Easy Livin'" from the Demons and Wizards era, where his soaring delivery intertwined with layered backing vocals to create the group's theatrical sound. Thain joined Uriah Heep in late 1971 and played a pivotal role during the Demons and Wizards (1972) sessions, bringing intuitive, melodic bass lines that complemented the album's symphonic elements and helped propel it to international success as the band's breakthrough release.[18] Through this dedication, Sonic Origami acknowledges how Byron's vocal prowess and Thain's rhythmic foundation defined Uriah Heep's enduring style.Recording and production
Studio and sessions
Sonic Origami was recorded at Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Oxfordshire, England, from February 3 to April 27, 1998, with additional sessions occurring between May 12 and 18. Rehearsals were held for three weeks at Terminal Rehearsal Studios in London from February 3 to 23, 1998.[19][20][21] The production was handled by Pip Williams, a veteran producer selected for his ability to infuse recordings with the band's live performance energy during the tracking phase.[12][22] The album was mastered by Tony Bridge at Whitfield Street Mastering Studio in London on May 20, 1998.[20]Songwriting process
The songwriting for Sonic Origami was led by founding guitarist Mick Box, who developed the core guitar riffs, and keyboardist Phil Lanzon, who crafted the keyboard parts and melodic structures, while bassist Trevor Bolder provided key input on bass lines and contributed full compositions for tracks like "Only the Young."[3][21] The process emphasized collaboration, with the band holding pre-production rehearsals to shape song arrangements and resolve structural elements.[21] Creative decisions focused on achieving a dynamic album flow, blending expansive progressive epics—such as the multi-sectional "Between Two Worlds"—with concise rockers like "Question" to maintain an engaging runtime without excess length.[2] The band prioritized tracks that best captured Uriah Heep's signature blend of heavy rock and symphonic elements for the standard release of 14 tracks.[21] A bonus track, "Sweet Pretender," was exclusively added to limited-edition pressings to enhance collector appeal.Musical style and composition
Genres and influences
Sonic Origami exemplifies Uriah Heep's core genres of hard rock and progressive rock, infused with heavy metal edges that define their enduring sound.[23] The album draws heavily from the band's 1970s heyday, prominently featuring Hammond organ riffs and elaborate keyboard arrangements reminiscent of classics like Demons and Wizards.[24] These elements underscore influences from contemporaries such as Deep Purple and Yes, blending symphonic prog textures with robust hard rock drive.[25] Building on the melodic hard rock foundation of their previous release Sea of Light (1995), Sonic Origami incorporates arena rock (AOR) polish for broader accessibility while preserving the band's signature complexity through intricate song structures and varied tempos.[2] This evolution marks a return to the progish arrangements of their early career, striking a balance between modern production sheen and classic Heep intensity without veering into outright metal aggression.[24] Key sonic features include multi-layered keyboards that provide atmospheric depth, dual guitar leads delivering soaring harmonies, and dynamic shifts that transition seamlessly from introspective ballads to expansive epics.[25] The album's extended runtime—totaling over 75 minutes—accommodates such developments, as seen in tracks like "Between Two Worlds" at 6:29, allowing space for progressive flourishes amid hard rock energy.[26] Overall, the polished production by Pip Williams enhances these traits, lending a vibrant, layered quality that revitalizes the band's sound.[12]Themes and lyrics
The lyrics of Sonic Origami delve into recurring themes of personal struggle and spiritual journeys, portraying introspection amid life's challenges and quests for meaning.[20] Reflections on fame and loss are woven throughout, tying into the dedication of the opening track "Between Two Worlds" to former band members David Byron and Gary Thain, evoking a sense of band history and enduring legacy.[2] These elements create an overall narrative arc of resilience, where characters confront adversity yet find paths to redemption and strength.[20] Primarily penned by keyboardist Phil Lanzon and guitarist Mick Box, the lyrics address heartless worlds and inner voices, blending melancholy observations of societal disconnection with optimistic undercurrents of hope and transformation.[20] For instance, motifs of duality appear in explorations of conflicting realms or inner-outer truths, as seen in "Between Two Worlds," highlighting tensions between the material and the ethereal.[20] Bernie Shaw's lead vocals provide emotional depth to these themes, conveying vulnerability and resolve with a raw intensity that resonates through the album's ballads and rockers.[27] His delivery, supported by layered harmonies, echoes the stylistic flair of David Byron, the band's original singer, infusing the tracks with a nostalgic yet forward-looking spirit.[2] This vocal approach amplifies the lyrical introspection, making the personal and spiritual narratives feel intimately connected to the listener.[27]Songs
Track listing
The standard edition of Sonic Origami features 13 tracks with a total running time of 70:43.[4] A limited edition CD includes a bonus track, "Sweet Pretender".[4] All tracks are original compositions by band members except for "Across the Miles", a cover of the Survivor song written by Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan.[4][28] No singles were commercially released from the album, though "Between Two Worlds" received some radio airplay as the opener.[2] The track sequencing progresses from energetic, hard rock openings to more reflective and atmospheric closers.[8]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Between Two Worlds" | Mick Box, Phil Lanzon | 6:29 |
| 2 | "I Hear Voices" | Trevor Bolder | 3:55 |
| 3 | "Perfect Little Heart" | Mick Box, Phil Lanzon | 5:17 |
| 4 | "Heartless Land" | Mick Box, Phil Lanzon (lyrics: M. Lanzon) | 4:44 |
| 5 | "Only the Young" | Trevor Bolder | 4:43 |
| 6 | "In the Moment" | Mick Box, Phil Lanzon | 6:23 |
| 7 | "Question" | Mick Box, Phil Lanzon | 5:26 |
| 8 | "Change" | Mick Box, Phil Lanzon | 6:02 |
| 9 | "Shelter from the Rain" | Trevor Bolder | 6:10 |
| 10 | "Everything in Life" | Lee Kerslake, Mick Box, Phil Lanzon, Trevor Bolder | 3:15 |
| 11 | "Across the Miles" | J. Peterik, F. Sullivan | 5:13 |
| 12 | "Feels Like" | Mick Box, Phil Lanzon | 4:37 |
| 13 | "The Golden Palace" | Mick Box (written and arranged by Phil Lanzon) | 8:29 |
14. "Sweet Pretender" – Trevor Bolder – 4:50