BLAZE BAYLEY: Snippet Of New Song Available

A promotional clip for British heavy metal singer Blaze Bayley's (WOLFSBANE, ex-IRON MAIDEN) upcoming solo concert in Sofia, Bulgaria can be seen below. The 37-second video includes a snippet of a new track which will appear on Bayley's next studio album, "The King Of Metal", to be released in early March.

"The King Of Metal" was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy. A European headlining tour in support of the CD will kick off in early March in Belgium.

When asked about the recording process for "The King Of Metal", Blaze recently told Metal Shock Finland, "I don't like to spend a lot of time in the studio, I don't feel it's a very creative environment. I like to spend most of my time on an album in the writing process and the composing. I feel that's the bit that really counts. I'm always thinking of the audience, the fans and how I'm going to perform the songs live."

On the topic of what the new album will sound like, Blaze said, "It'll be a bit different to what I've done before because I'm producing it. There will be a lot of heavy metal, as you would expect from a Blaze Bayley album. We decided to have no rules; if we feel something is appropriate to sing or play, we will. It's all about the vibe and passion. I'm very hopeful it will turn out to be my best work."

Blaze has announced that he will be accompanied by the following musicians on his upcoming "King Of Metal" tour:

* Matteo "Lehmann" Grazzini (NEURASTHENIA) - Bass
* Claudio Tirincanti - Drums
* Andrea Neri (ASTARTE SYRIACA) - Guitar
* Thomas Zwijsen (NYLON MAIDEN) - Guitar

In a recent interview with Metal Blast, Bayley stated about "The King of Metal", "This album is a bit more back towards my classic metal style; it's closer to the 'Silicon Messiah' and 'Tenth Dimension' albums. Although I didn't plan it that way, this is how it has worked out. . . I've been working very closely with a young guitar player called Thomas Zwijsen, who has co-written most of the songs, and it has worked very well. Now, the title track, 'The King Of Metal', is dedicated to the fans, because they are the real kings of metal. Without the fans, there's no heavy metal, and I think that people trivialize that and even disrespect heavy metal fans, compared to fans of pop or jazz. I've called the album 'The King Of Metal' as a tribute to heavy metal fans, thanks to whom it has been possible for me to have such a wonderful career and spend my life as a professional singer."

Blaze last year parted ways with the rest of his band in order to pursue a career as a solo artist and the lead singer of WOLFSBANE. He explained the decision by saying that "the mental, financial and emotional strain of keeping the BLAZE BAYLEY band together has proven to be too much for me and has taken a terrible toll on my mental health. . . It has been an upsetting, frustrating and sad time because the BLAZE BAYLEY band will not be going on any more, but it is also for me a huge relief and a time to look forward."

A statement from former members of Blaze Bayley's solo band — David Bermudez (bass),Nico Bermudez (guitar) and Jay Walsh (guitar) — regarding the group's split can be found at this location.