The Final Album
The album was completed in 2020 and recorded in the United Kingdom, with sessions taking place in Bath and London. Produced by Richard Evans, with string arrangements and co-production by Dean Brodrick, the recordings feature Ken Hensley on vocals and acoustic guitar, supported by piano, percussion, backing vocals, and a five-piece string ensemble.
The concept for the album developed following a series of performances in 2018, during which Ken performed with a string quartet. Inspired by these shows, he set out to bring this idea into the studio and create the album he had long wanted to make.
The album includes nine classic Uriah Heep titles, selected by Ken, alongside three new compositions. Following its completion, Ken felt that his vocal performances on the record were among his best.
The vision for the release
The intention is to create a distinctive collector’s item for Ken Hensley’s fans and for music lovers who want to own a genuine piece of Ken’s wonderful musical history.
The number of copies would be defined strictly by demand, with selected elements produced as limited editions.
Once produced, there are no plans for further pressings or subsequent releases.
This approach allows the album to exist on its own terms — not as a mass-market product, but as something personal, considered, and lasting.
How you can take part
By subscribing, you are registering your interest and helping to answer an important question:
Is there an audience that wants this album to exist in the world?
If a meaningful level of interest is reached, the most likely next step would be to open pre-orders directly through this website, allowing the album to be manufactured and delivered independently to those who make it possible.
Subscribers will receive updates as the project develops and will be the first to know when pre-orders become available.
Learn more
You may have questions about the album and the project, and we have put together an FAQ section to help answer the most common ones.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us directly. You can also explore the Team Behind the Project to learn more about the people involved in bringing this album to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This is Ken Hensley’s final studio album, completed in 2020 and never released in any form.
It represents the last body of work he finished during his lifetime — a thoughtful, deeply personal record that reflects both his musical legacy and his continued creative drive.
This project exists to explore whether there is sufficient interest to independently release that album in a way that honours Ken’s music, legacy, and never ending quest to broaden his music boundaries.
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Yes. The album was fully completed in 2020, and the recordings exist in full as a finished body of work.
As part of preparing the album for release, final mastering will be required to ensure it meets current production and manufacturing standards for both CD and vinyl.
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The album was completed in 2020 and recorded in the United Kingdom across several studios.
The main recordings took place at The Labour Exchange Studio in Bath, Somerset, where production was led by Richard Evans, with co-production by Dean Brodrick.
String sections were recorded at RAK Studios in London, with additional piano sessions recorded at Real World Studios and RAK Studios in London.
Percussion was recorded at Dangerous Road Studios in the UK and performed by Ged Lynch who for many years played with Peter Gabriel.Ken Hensley sings all lead vocals joined by a string quintet with backing vocals, a little piano and some percussion.
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For those familiar with Ken’s work with Uriah Heep and his solo career, this album offers a different perspective on some of the most recognisable songs he wrote — reinterpreted in a more intimate and reflective way.
Classic songwriting, combined with a five-piece string ensemble and acoustic arrangements, gives these songs a new sense of depth and character, alongside a selection of new material.
For those discovering Ken’s music for the first time, it offers a powerful and fitting introduction.
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Following Ken Hensley’s passing, a considerable amount of time was required to complete probate and for his family to make the necessary arrangements relating to his estate. During this period, the album could not move forward. An agreement was put in place with a major record label but as probate and time elapsed it was not possible.
As a result, the project was placed on hold and, over time, momentum was lost.
The album is now being revisited by Dmitry Amelin and the team with the intention of honouring Ken Hensley’s legacy and releasing the final album he had always wanted to make — doing this independently with the freedom to create something genuinely special for his fans and for lovers of great music.
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Yes. The album was conceived, recorded, and completed by Ken Hensley during his lifetime, and this project is being developed with full respect for his artistic intent and legacy.
Steve Weltman, who managed Ken Hensley for many years, was involved in the project from the very beginning and is credited as Executive Producer on the album. His long-standing professional relationship with Ken and his deep understanding of Ken’s work and wishes have been central to the way the project has been approached.
The intention throughout has been to ensure that this final album is released in a way that remains faithful to Ken’s vision.
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The project was initially supported by Dmitry Amelin, who knew Ken Hensley for many years and was closely connected to his work. Over time, Dmitry organised a number of private concerts Ken and his long-time manager Steve Wekltman and was among the initiators of several significant performances, including the 25th Uriah Heep Reunion Show in Moscow in 2015.
Dmitry’s connection to Ken’s music is also personal. His love for Uriah Heep and Ken’s work comes from his parents, for whom the band has long held a special place. Lady in Black is a song that has accompanied them from their youth to the present day, and continues to be a meaningful link between them.
When Ken, together with his manager approached Dmitry about becoming involved in this album, he did not hesitate. Recognising that this was the album Ken had wanted to make for a very long time, Dmitry chose to support the project and brought together others who shared the same respect for Ken’s music and legacy.
At its heart, the motivation has been simple: to help bring into the world the final album Ken had wanted to make for many years. It is a deeply personal and beautifully realised record — and once you hear it, it becomes clear just how special this final chapter truly is.
For further information about the people involved in this release, including key contributors and collaborators, please see the Team Behind the Project section below.
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There is no release date because the priority is to do this properly and to ensure that the final result is a unique collector’s item that everyone involved can be proud of.
Manufacturing a physical-only, limited-edition release requires careful planning and production. Before committing to that process, we want to confirm that there is sufficient interest from fans and music lovers to justify moving forward.
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This album is intended to be treated as a collector’s piece — something tangible, carefully produced, and meaningful.
The intention is to manufacture a single, limited run based strictly on demand, with editions expected to include CD, black vinyl, colour vinyl, and other carefully considered formats. Once produced, there are no plans for further pressings or subsequent releases.
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If a meaningful level of interest is reached, the most likely next step would be to open pre-orders directly through this website. This would allow the album to be manufactured and delivered independently, supported by the fans and music lovers who want it to exist.
Any such plans will be communicated clearly to subscribers in advance.
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You can subscribe to register your interest using the form on this website and help spread the word to other fans and music lovers who may wish to know about the project and help bring it to life.
Meet the Team
Producers and key studio team