Text by Marcelo Gomes
The legendary Uriah Heep returned to Brazil after nine years to celebrate their 50-year career at the Tokio Marine Hall in São Paulo. The closing of their Latin American tour took place on the 10th, and not even the rainy weather kept away the fans who turned out in droves to honor the legends.
Without a backdrop or any extra production on stage, Uriah Heep proved that their music is enough for a great performance. In a true return to their roots, the group led by guitarist Mick Box showed what they're made of, showcasing many classics at high volume in a performance full of energy and charisma.
Accompanied by Bernie Shaw (vocals), Phil Lanzon (keyboards), Davey Rimmer (bass), and Russell Gilbrook (drums), the show began with the electrifying "Grazed By Heaven," followed by "Take Away My Soul" and "Traveller In Time." It was Uriah Heep's 70s hard rock invading the Tokyo Marine Hall with their unmistakable sound. From the very first minutes, the fans appreciated every detail of the performance with smiles on their faces.
Without further ado, they launched into another classic, “Between Two Worlds.” Then, vocalist Bernie Shaw said that São Paulo is a wonderful place to end the tour and thanked everyone for coming before announcing “Stealin’.” The highlight was Davey's bass sound, which was very loud from the beginning of the show, creating that slower, bluesy groove, perfect for Mick Box's improvisations. The pace picked up again with the next song, straight from the album Abominog , the one with the devil on the cover. We're talking about “Too Scared To Run,” whose memorable chorus was sung by everyone.
Phil Lanzon's keyboards kicked off "Rainbow Demon," which was immediately met with applause. The song's somber mood, combined with the cold Sunday weather, set the tone for the performance, but Mick Box's affability didn't diminish. He constantly made the sign of the cross and emanated positive energy to the audience. In a more festive mood, he himself announced "Sweet Lorraine," saying it was about a woman in the United States who liked parties. Then, Bernie asked: "Does anyone here like heavy metal? We're more on the melodic side, but we're going to play a heavier sound, and we only need three minutes," said the vocalist. The next hit was "Free 'N' Easy," showing that the band wasn't messing around, even getting the older crowd headbanging.
The heavy and drawn-out “Gypsy” once again took fans back to the depths of the 70s. It was pure nostalgia transcending time and generations. “Look At Yourself” showcased the band's musical skills in an extended and electrifying version, full of improvisations that gave space for the members to introduce themselves. What the guys did on stage was simply fantastic, maintaining that defiant spirit that made them famous.
In a show celebrating 50 years, of course the emotional "July Morning" couldn't be missing, with Bernie's beautiful and dramatic interpretation. His vocals gave the song an extra emotional charge, and I could see some fans extremely moved by the performance. Completely understandable, given the experience they were having. The farewell came next; with his guitar, Mick Box began "Lady In Black," with the audience singing along in perfect harmony, creating a beautiful chorus that will certainly be forever etched in the memory of everyone in the band. It was breathtaking!
The encore included the highly anticipated "Sunrise" and "Easy Livin'", the latter featuring special appearances by guitarist Marcelo Frisoni and singer Katia Pardini , further enhancing Uriah Heep's show. It was a grand finale to this incredible night of classic rock.
Almost a decade after their last visit to Brazil, Uriah Heep delivered a masterful performance in São Paulo. With the band incredibly tight and Mick Box overflowing with charm, they showcased classics from their entire career, pleasing both longtime and newcomer fans. The warm reception from the audience and the band's incredible energy created a night that will forever be etched in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to witness this iconic performance. We can only hope they don't take so long to return!