Uriah Heep (band) recording of the album, drummer Alex Napier was replaced by Nigel Olsson, recommended to Byron by Elton John. The debut was not popular with rock critics (especially in the USA where "Rolling Stone" reviewer Melissa Mills infamously promised to commit suicide "if this band makes it") but in retrospect the attitude towards it changed. "Those unfamiliar with Uriah Heep may want to try out "Demons and Wizards" or a compilation first, but anyone with a serious interest in Uriah Heep or the roots of heavy metal will find plenty to like on ..."Very 'eavy ...Very 'umble"," advised critic Donald A.
Very Present Tense the Liverpool European Capital of Culture. He performed the work for the second time with Metal at the Village Green Festival on 29 September 2009, this time working with a group of musicians from Southend. Simpson then worked on recording the work. Very Present Tense Very Present Tense is the debut studio album by British actor Christopher Simpson. In 2008, whilst Simpson was artist-in-residence with creative arts group Metal, he completed the song cycle "Very Present Tense". He wrote it over a number of years in response to the death of his mother. The songs which reference musical idioms, including