The time was 20.45 pm and I was running in a frenzy to reach Gagarin (damn traffic!). Supposedly the doors were to open at 20.00 but we knew that this was quite early for the band to start.
My friends were expecting me , filled with very sweet killer-feelings, after standing them up for almost one hour but I got lucky and survived murder!
Arriving at the spot at 21.00 sharp, I grabbed my company and we entered Gagarin in a hurry.

Inside we learned that we missed the support band 4BITTEN (they had just gotten off the stage) so unfortunately we have no comments to make concerning their appearance. Even if the venue was filled, you could wander around quite easily, getting at the front of the stage without the fear of losing an eye, a leg or ending in the ER of the nearest hospital!

URIAH HEEP got on stage at exactly 21.30, starting with three songs from their album of 2008 "Wake the Sleeper".

The crowd's reaction was luke warm at best but as soon as  the band started to refresh its memory with the classic ones the response was flaming hot. "Rainbow demon", "Free me", "Gupsy",  "Sunrise" (dedicated to a piece of me…) , "Lady in black" (that was the closing song also), "Bird of prey" and "July morning" were some of my personal favorites and many were the times that I was pinching myself in order to see if the band I was seeing at that very moment was the same one that my father used to hear in his old record player some thirty years ago.

Mick Box, the band's leader, main guitarist and founding member draws all the attention as expected but Bernie Shaw, who is still an amazing vocalist can enchant you with the greatest of ease. Phil Lanzon behind the keyboards (since 1986) and Trevor Bolder on the bass guitar still got it after all these years. Russell Giblrook, their latest drummer and newest member, with its fierce playing style gave to the songs a more solid sound.

All five complete perfectly the picture-puzzle of one the most legendary hard rock-progressive bands.

The show ended at 23.00 , with a warm goodbye from URIAH HEEP and a big applause from us. I must say, i was really glad to see three generations of hard rock fans in the same concert and that Saturday night I understood why this band has a loyal and significant following up until now.

It was magical and "it was a little bit of an old and a little bit of a new". Yes it was a night not to be forgotten…

P.S. A big thank you to my lovely companions, Fotis and Akis for their patience!