| Wake the Sleeper | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2 June 2008 | |||
| Recorded | 2007 | |||
| Studio | Chapel Studios,Lincolnshire,UK | |||
| Genre | Hard rock,progressive rock,heavy metal | |||
| Length | 50:46 | |||
| Label | Sanctuary/Noise | |||
| Producer | Mike Paxman | |||
| Uriah Heep chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| Blabbermouth.net | 8/10[2] |
| Metal Storm | 8.6/10[3] |
| Record Collector | [4] |
| Rock Hard | 8.0/10[5] |
| World of Music | [6] |
Wake the Sleeper is the 21st studio album by therock bandUriah Heep, released on 2 June 2008 in Europe and on 26 August 2008 in the United States. The announced September 2007 release was rescheduled (initially to March 2008) as a result of the purchase ofSanctuary Records byUniversal Music. This was to allow proper promotion of the album, rather than it be 'lost' during the changeover and, although frustrating for them, was something the band members supported. It is their first studio album since 1998'sSonic Origami. It is also their first album since 1980'sConquest without long-time drummerLee Kerslake, who had to withdraw from the band due to ill health in 2007, putting an end to the band's longest-lasting lineup which existed for 21 years.
This album was also released as a 12" vinyl album in a gatefold sleeve.[7]
The song "What Kind of God" was inspired by the bookBury My Heart at Wounded Knee byDee Brown (1970), which refers to theWounded Knee Massacre.[8]
Wake the Sleeper was nominated by the British magazineClassic Rock as the Album of the Year.[9]
All songs written byMick Box andPhil Lanzon, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Wake the Sleeper" | 3:33 | |
| 2. | "Overload" | 5:58 | |
| 3. | "Tears of the World" | 4:45 | |
| 4. | "Light of a Thousand Stars" | 3:57 | |
| 5. | "Heaven's Rain" | 4:16 | |
| 6. | "Book of Lies" | 4:05 | |
| 7. | "What Kind of God" | 6:37 | |
| 8. | "Ghost of the Ocean" | 3:22 | |
| 9. | "Angels Walk with You" | Trevor Bolder | 5:24 |
| 10. | "Shadow" | Lanzon | 3:35 |
| 11. | "War Child" | Bolder, Tony Gallagher | 5:07 |
| Chart (2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Japanese Albums (Oricon)[10] | 265 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[11] | 55 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[12] | 55 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[13] | 24 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Russia (NFPF)[14] | Gold | 10,000* |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
