Uriah Heep’s classic ‘Look At Yourself’ has been retooled by Nuclear Messiah, a musical project spearheaded by former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, with a number of all-star guest appearances. The cover lands ahead of the project’s debut album Black Flame, due out 24th April through Cleopatra Records.
The Uriah Heep cover features not only Sebastian Bach on vocals, but Heep guitarist and founder member Mick Box and one-time bass player Bob Daisley. Alongside Poland, this super grouping also involves keyboard player Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Sons Of Apollo, Black Country Communion) and drummer Carmine Appice (Cactus, Vanilla Fudge).
Former Skid Row and newly appointed Twisted Sister frontman Sebastian Bach said of the new single: “Uriah Heep is a band that my dad listened to a lot… that was my introduction to Uriah Heep. Of course, the song ‘Easy Livin” was a big hit song but ‘Look At Yourself’ was a deep cut and it also reminds me of Deep Purple a little bit, the sound of it.
“I love 70s rock n’ roll and the fact that Mick Box from Uriah Heep is on this track is incredible. Bob Daisley from Ozzy’s band — I never thought I would record with him so it’s unbelievable.
“I’m adding the tone of my voice to the song ‘Look At Yourself’ and I’ve added some high harmonies that are not on the original. But I’m trying to make it different but the same. So, I hope Mick Box can hear that it’s honouring the original version but then I throw in a couple of harmonies and screams and what have you!”
“The Black Flame record is full of really great songs but one that really stands out is ‘Look At Yourself’,” said guitarist Chris Poland. “It’s the most progressive song on the record and Sebastian Bach’s vocal performance is truly inspired. He nails this tune to the wall in true Bach fashion.”
Produced by Cleopatra founder Brian Perera, Derek Hughes and Jürgen Engler, with A&R direction by long-term Cleopatra Records consultant John Lappen, Nuclear Messiah is a celebration of musicianship, legacy and unrelenting fire.
At the heart of Nuclear Messiah is Chris Poland’s melodic fluidity, experimental phrasing and command of tone. From Megadeth’s Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? to his work in OHM and Damn The Machine, Poland’s guitar sound remains distinctive.
“Chris isn’t just a guitarist — he’s a spirit of sound,” said Perera. “Nuclear Messiah was built around his brilliance and brought to life by an army of legends who share his passion and precision.”
Tracks on the album are: ‘The Prophet Of Fallout’ featuring Chris Poland and William Shatner; ‘Devil Won’t Let Go’ with Chris Poland, Ronnie Romero, Vinnie Moore, Vinny Appice, Don Airey and Steve Di Giorgio; ‘Death Or Glory’ with Chris Poland, Thor, Bob Daisley, Glen Drover and Fred Aching; ‘Ride The Sky’ with Chris Poland, Arthur Brown, Vinny Appice and Alan Davey; ‘Dice And Thunder’ with Chris Poland, Rick Wakeman, Ronnie Romero, Bumblefoot, Steve Di Giorgio and Fred Aching; ‘For Mad Men Only’ with Chris Poland, Pat Travers, Joe Lynn Turner, Alan Davey and Shawn Drover; ‘Nuclear Messiah’ with Chris Poland, Lance Lopez, Greg Walker, Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, Vinny Appice and Don Airey; ‘Look At Yourself’ with Chris Poland, Sebastian Bach, Derek Sherinian, Bob Daisley, Mick Box and Carmine Appice; ‘She’s So Evil’ with Chris Poland, Joel Hoekstra, David Ellefson, Don Airey, Andrew Freeman and Simon Wright; ‘Black Flame’ with Chris Poland, Ronnie Romero, Jonathan Cain, Phil Soussan, Glen Drover and Chris Adler; and ‘Electric Burn’ featuring Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, Joe Bouchard, Marc Lopes and Chris Adler.
Previous single ‘Death Or Glory’ features Thor, while ‘Electric Burn’ — alongside Poland — also features fellow Megadeth alumni Marty Friedman and Chris Adler, plus Blue Öyster Cult bassist Joe Bouchard and Ross The Boss/Let Us Prey frontman Marc Lopes.
“‘Electric Burn’ is just that… this song is on fire,” said Chris Poland. “Chris Adler is smokin’ hot and the rest of the band follows suit. I mean, come on, freakin’ Marty Friedman is on this track. It’s one of my favourites.” As for the album itself, “This record has so many metal icons playing on it,” he continued. “It’s really a must for any metalhead’s record collection.”
Dramatic too, is the video, sliced from Kazy Tauginas’s multiple award-winning movie Mirror Life: Modern Zombies.
The ‘For Mad Men Only’ single saw Deep Purple/Rainbow singer Joe Lynn Turner on board with Pat Travers on guitar, ex-Hawkwind bassist Alan Davey and former Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover.
“It’s great to be on board with the guys from Nuclear Messiah but I never thought after 56 years that I’d be doing a metal cover version of a May Blitz song,” said Joe Lynn Turner. “Recording ‘For Mad Men Only’ was a time warp experience. I remember back in 1970 when the band was releasing new material in a prog/psychedelic/punk style. The power pop attitude and cryptic lyrics of non-conformity still ring true to form. It was an absolute pleasure to make a contribution to this amazing new project! Cheers to all!”
“This Nuclear Messiah record has been an absolute pleasure for me to make and be a part of,” declared Poland. “If someone told me when I was a kid that I would be on a record someday with nearly 40 of rock’s royalty, I would have said you’re dreaming. Well, it happened! This record is a tour de force of artists from groups we all know and love. From the first track to the last it just never lets up. Thank you, Cleopatra!”
