Metal Hall of Fame inductee Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden singer 1994-1999) has released the second single & video for the song “Rage”, off his forthcoming new album “Circle Of Stone”, which will arrive on February 23rd, 2024.
“Rage” tells the story, from Welsh folklore, of Gelert the faithful hound, and his unfortunate demise at the hands of his beloved owner Prince Llewelyn. The animation for the video was developed by Hot Frog Animations. The song features violinist Anne Bakker who also worked with Blaze during the “Infinite Entanglement” trilogy (2016-2018).
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Recent times have been a roller-coaster ride for Blaze. Following on from the successful “Infinite Entanglement” trilogy (2016-2018), around which interest in his career was clearly elevated, he then moved further forward with the critically acclaimed “War Within Me” album (2021), whilst touring worldwide. However, he then suffered a severe heart attack early in 2023, requiring life-saving quadruple bypass surgery. Recovery was slow but 6 UK shows towards the end of 2023 felt like a real triumph, quickly followed by a tour with his original (pre-Iron Maiden) band Wolfsbane.
“Circle Of Stone” track listing:
1. Mind Reader
2. Tears In Rain
3. Rage
4. The Year Beyond This Year
5. Ghost In The Bottle
6. The Broken Man
7. The Call Of The Ancestors
8. Circle Of Stone (feat. Niklas Stålvind)
9. Absence
10. A Day Of Reckoning
11. The Path Of The Righteous Man
12. Until We Meet Again
Thankfully, the recording of the new album had been completed just 2 days before the heart attack & the record was put on the ‘backburner’ whilst health matters & recovery progressed. Blaze‘s regular team recorded the album with Christopher Appleton (of UK band Absolva) engineering, mixing & co-producing with Blaze (split between their home studios in Manchester & Birmingham respectively), & Ade Emsley mastering. Appleton also played lead guitar alongside his brother Luke Appleton on power guitar, Martin Mcnee on drums & Karl Schramm on bass.
