"Conquest" is the 13th studio album by the British rock band Uriah Heep. Released in February 1980, it marked a critical phase in the band's long, influential musical journey. By this time, Uriah Heep was shifting towards a softer, more melodic sound, framing a departure from their signature heavy rock and progressive elements.
The album was the last Heep album to feature John Sloman as lead vocalist, heralding a prominent change in the band's line-up. Also, instead of their longtime bassist and vocalist Gary Thain, who had died in 1975, and John Wetton, who departed from the band, Trevor Bolder took charge. Bolder, previously with David Bowie's Spiders from Mars, contributed significantly to the new sound and feel of the album.
"Conquest" also maintained Uriah Heep's adventurous side despite the softer melodies, as seen in tracks like "Carry On" and "Feelings". Throughout its length, the album incorporated a variety of genres, from ballads to hard rock, showcasing the band's diverse musical abilities.
Despite its mixed critical reception at the time, "Conquest" is now widely appreciated as a snapshot of a band in transition, documenting Uriah Heep's adaptability and continuous evolution in the music landscape.
