Ex-Wolfsbane and Iron Maiden vocalist gone solo.

Jeff Singer, Steve Wray, Blaze Bayley, John Slater, Rob Naylor

SILICON MESSIAH (2000) SPV/STEAMHAMMER

After his demise from Iron Maiden, Blaze went on to form his own band. Seeing that I never quite found the man to be all that good in Maiden, or Wolfsbane, I didn't have high hopes towards this either. But I was dead wrong to assume anything at all. The man delivers an excellent heavy metal album, chock full of killer songs. He even sings good! I guess it all boils down to 2 factors; 1. This album is written by and for the mans voice, and 2. Andy Sneap has brought out the best of him and his band, and giving the album a powerful sound. I'm tempted to say that Blaze sounds more true to metal than Maiden have done in years! Just listen to the title track and songs such as "The Hunger". Everyone claiming to like pure heavy metal needs to check this album out.

Killer tracks: Ghost In The Machine, Silicon Messiah, Born As A Stranger, The Hunger

BLOOD & BELIEF (2004) SPV/STEAMHAMMER

Blaze plunders on with their 3rd, and so far, last album. And it is really a shame that Mr. Bayley's solo efforts seem to have passed by virtually unnoticed by the metal masses. His past in Iron Maiden alone should be enough to keep many a metalhead more then interested in his work. I think this only shows that the average Iron Maiden fan are not necessarily metal fans in general. Because what Blaze delivers solo is even more relevant in today's metal scene. I wouldn't call the music modern, but it has some influences from the so-called power metal, or Euro-metal, scene of today. Maybe this is mostly heard in the production, but I also find it in the playing. Thus Blaze the band comes across as a much heavier outfit than Blaze the mans previous outlets. The music is also written to fit the mans voice, which isn't at all as limited as we all thought when he was in Iron Maiden. I'm not sure what bands I would compare Blaze to, and that might be a good thing. The album is nicely put together, with a balance between the heavy as stink songs, the mid-tempo stuff, and even some mellower stuff. "Ten Seconds" might be the mans, and the bands, finest moment. This is also the most personal album from Blaze Bayley, lyrics dealing with many of the low points in the mans life, such as alcoholism and depression. 'Blood & Belief' might end in the "best-albums-you've-never-heard" category.

Killer tracks: Ten Seconds, Blood And Belief, Life And Death, Regret, Soundtrack Of My Life

Lawrence Paterson, Nicolas Bermudez, Blaze Bayley, David Bermudez, Jay Walsh

THE MAN WHO WOULD NOT DIE (2008) BLAZE BAYLEY

In 2007 the band known as Blaze existed no more. They found them selves without a record deal, and the members went their separate ways. But a request to play at a metal festival in Poland, and record a DVD, was just the kick in the butt Blaze Bayley needed to put together a new incarnation of his solo band. The experience was so satisfactory, plans for a new record were put into action immediately. The result became the aptly entitled 'The Man Who Would Not Die', released under the front man's full name this time.

With a brand new band backing him, Blaze has a slightly heavier sound on 'The Man Who Would Not Die'. Mind you, this is still music firmly rooted in traditional heavy metal. But the thick production, and the downtuned guitars, gives the overall feel a more modern sheen. Still, this is the heaviest effort from Blaze yet. And it is certainly much heavier than anything his prior bans have ever done. Just check out the song "Robot", also released as a single, and WAiting For My Life To Beign", both straight up thrash metal romps! However, most of the material leads my thoughts towards any and every Roy Z produced product out there. So if you're into Halford, Bruce Dickinson or Rob Rock, then Blaze Bayley is just what the doctor ordered. I will go so far as to claim that Blaze Bayely's solo efforts are some of the most underrated metal albums of all time. And 'The Man Who Would Not Die' might be the man's crowning achievement. I, for one is having a great time banging my head to stellar metal songs, such as "Smile Back at Death", "Samurai" and the title track. Are you a metalhead, you'll be hard pressed not to bang along to this great record. So do yourself a favor and check it out. It is one of my favorite albums released in 2008.

Killer tracks: The Man Who Would Not Die, Smile Back At Death, Samurai, Robot, Voices From The Past

Related artists:

Iron Maiden, Wolfsbane, Helloween, Doro, Deadly Blessing, Chris Caffery