In 2006 Uriah Heep toured in some twenty territories ranging from Indonesia, India and Thailand through to Brazil, Peru, Russia and Bulgaria, concluding with a six-week acoustic tour through Europe.

During this trek, Lee Kerslake found the rigors of constant touring increasingly stressful. The drummer will now take the opportunity over the next few months to embark on a stringent campaign in order to resolve his health issues. Comments Uriah Heep lead guitarist and founder member Mick Box:

\"All the band are fully behind Lee in his efforts to become fully match fit again. For me, it is particularly devastating to lose not only someone who I have worked with for some thirty five years, but also one of my closest and oldest friends who I love like a brother. It is, however, in the best interests of both Lee and the band that a change is made now.\"

Lee Kerslake\'s departure comes at an important moment in the history of Uriah Heep. The band have just signed a new worldwide recording contract with Sanctuary Records and are about to commence recording their first new studio album in almost a decade. Since it is vital that there is consistency between both the recording and the forthcoming eighteen-month long world tour to coincide with the album\'s release in September, the band will now start actively auditioning potential drummers.