Whenever someone of the calibre of Blaze Bayley releases an album I and many others feel a shudder of anticipation. I also feel a little trepidation - hoping that he has released an album that will help lift his career back up where it belongs. The ex-Wolfsbane and Iron Maiden singer has had a career akin to a roller coaster and has suffered some cruel and rough times over the years. It has to be pointed out that he has had no tougher time than now and I would personally like to wish his wife and manager Debbie all the very best on the road to recovery following her July collapse and subsequent coma.
It is high time that Blaze was recognised for what he is and not for what he never quite was. When Bruce Dickinson left Iron Maiden they turned to fellow New Wave of British Heavy Metal band Wolfsbane and invited their singer Blaze to fill the rather huge gap. It turned out to be ill advised for both parties and Blaze was never really accepted into the role before eventually leaving, on Bruce’s return, to strike out on a solo path. That solo career has also seen some stutters along the way too. But Blaze has resolutely stuck at what he does best and has now produced one of his best albums to date.
The Man Who Would Not Die sees Blaze gather around him a highly impressive band with Nick Bermudez and Jay Walsh on guitars, Lawrence Paterson on drums and bass player Dave Bermudez. The album notes have Blaze himself telling us that he had reached a particularly low moment at the beginning of 2007. Fortunately from that point he got this band line up together and began the process of putting the album in place. He couldn’t have chosen better and the band combines together to fire on all cylinders throughout.
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