BW&BK; has received the following press release:

"URIAH HEEP regret to announce the cancellation of their forthcoming nine date tour of Russia, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus which was scheduled to commence in Chisinau, Moldova tomorrow, Wednesday, June 4th.

The last minute cancellation comes as a result of the tour promoters complete lack of adherence to contractual stipulations concerning PA, lights, backline equipment, visas, tour itineraries, travel arrangements and failure to make scheduled payments.

Uriah Heep bitterly regret having to cancel the tour, but over the past few weeks it has been impossible to finalize arrangements for the tour due to the promoters total failure to fulfil their contractual obligations or supply the band with the correct advance information. Cancelling the tour has come as a last resort and after extensive negotiations to resolve the issues, Uriah Heep were not in a position to have any confidence that shows could be put on, or even take place, up to the band and the fans expectations.

Uriah Heep would like to apologize to all their fans for the cancellation due to a situation completely beyond their control and would certainly hope to be able to visit these countries again in the future to put on a show that the fans deserve."

Uriah Heep's first studio album in almost ten years, Wake The Sleeper, is due out via Universal Music this month.

Recorded in 2007, Wake The Sleeper was produced by Mike Paxman (STATUS QUO, JUDIE TZUKE). In the words of Mick Box, "We are delighted to be reunited with a major label in Universal music. Wake The Sleeper is an album we are incredibly proud of, and one that we hope the fans will see as one of Uriah Heep's best. We can't wait to get back out on the road to showcase the new songs."

This is the band's first album without their long-standing and original drummer, Lee Kerslake who sadly had to leave the band due to ill health in January 2007. Filling the drum stool for the very first time is the hugely well respected Russell Gilbrook (TONY IOMMI, VAN MORRISON, JOHN FARNHAM and LONNIE DONNEGAN). Current band line up is Mick Box - guitar, vocals; Trevor Bolder - bass, vocals; Phil Lanzon - keyboards, vocals; Bernie Shaw - lead vocals and Russell Gilbrook - drums, vocals.

Full album tracklisting as follows: 'Wake The Sleeper', 'Overload', 'Tears Of The World', 'Light Of A Thousand Stars', 'Heavens Rain', 'Book Of Lies', 'What Kind Of God', 'Ghost Of The Ocean', 'Angels Walk With You', 'Shadow', 'War Child'.

Uriah Heep's progressive heavy metal made the British band one of the most popular hard rock groups of the early '70s. Formed by guitarist Mick Box and vocalist David Byron in the late '60s, Uriah Heep released their debut album Very 'eavy... Very 'umble in 1970. Since then the band have released 20 studio albums and played to millions of fans across the globe. Uriah Heep remain one of British rock's most consistent and long standing acts with album sales of over 30 million worldwide. Wake The Sleeper will be Uriah Heep's 21st studio album.

Wake The Sleeper will also be released on Vinyl as a 12" Limited Edition in a stunning gatefold sleeve.