Conquest (album)

Released in 1980, the band's 10th Anniversary year, Conquest is the 13th album by British rock band Uriah Heep. 1980 was a period of change for Heep, with John Sloman taking over lead vocal duties, Lee Kerslake bowing out from behind the drumstool, and main songwriter Ken Hensley ultimately leaving the band.

This album is perhaps the most controversial of all Heep recordings, with many fans taking the position that Sloman's Geddy Lee-like vocals were simply not a good fit for the band, with others maintaining that the change was a refreshing one. As a result, Conquest is often considered by fans to be either the band's best or worst album. The original UK release came in a single, matte LP sleeve, stickered with 'Special 10th Anniversay Price £3.99', with the liner being heavy-stock card, complete with lyrics. It credits Trevor Bolder with vocals on "It Ain't Easy" but it is, in fact, Sloman.

Track listing

1. "No Return" (Bolder/Box/Hensley) – 6:07
2. "Imagination" (Hensley) – 5:49
3. "Feelings" (Hensley) – 5:26
4. "Fools" (Bolder) – 5:03
5. "Carry On" (Hensley) – 3:57
6. "Won't Have to Wait Too Long" (Bolder/Box/Hensley) – 4:54
7. "Out on the Street" (Hensley) – 5:57
8. "It Ain't Easy" (Bolder) – 5:45

Conquest was remastered and reissued in 1997 with several bonus tracks:

9. "Been Hurt (B-side)" (Hensley) – 3:56
   • B-side to "Carry On" featuring John Sloman on vocals.
10. "Love Stealer (Single A-side)" (Phil Wainman/Bolder) – 3:28
11. "Think It Over (Single A-side)" (Sloman/Bolder) – 3:33
    • Released as a picture sleeve single to promote the new line-up and tour of late 1980. Features Gregg Dechert on keyboards.
12. "My Joanna Needs Tuning (Inside Out) (B-side)" (Sloman/Bolder/Box/Gregg Dechert/Slade) – 3:02
    • B-side to "Think It Over"
13. "Lying (Out-take)" (Hensley/Sloman/Bolder/Slade) – 4:23
    • Previously unreleased out-take featuring John Sloman on vocals.

Originally "Been Hurt" was written for a fourth John Lawton-fronted album. This song was shelved after Lawton's departure. The original version with Lawton on vocals has been released on the remastered version of the Fallen Angel album.

Personnel

• John Sloman - lead vocals, piano
• Mick Box – guitars
• Ken Hensley – keyboards, synthesizer, guitars, back-up vocals
• Trevor Bolder - bass guitar
• Chris Slade - drums

References

• The Official Uriah Heep Discography