Blaze Bayley - War Within Me

PRESS RELEASE: On 9th April 2021 British metal artist Blaze Bayley releases his 11th studio recording, moving forward from the success of his ‘Infinite Entanglement’ trilogy released in consecutive years 2016-2018.

The 10 brand new songs, co-written with guitarist Christopher Appleton, draw influences from Blaze’s experience as singer with British metal goliaths Iron Maiden (1994-1999), plus his extensive solo career which started with his legendary ‘Silicon Messiah’ album in year 2000.

The new album, entitled ‘War Within Me’, is not a concept album but does include a positive thread throughout. In Blaze’s own words… “This is an album that I want to put on and feel very positive about. Whatever song you choose there’s some good feeling about it. As fans of metal music we tend to be damaged, strange and different in some way and this album is (as I say in my live intro to the song ‘Futureal’) about taking your future in your own hand. It’s one of the things that really connects with people at my live shows.” 

‘War Within Me’ was recorded during 2020 with work split between Blaze’s studio at home in the West Midlands and Christopher Appleton’s studio in Greater Manchester. The now very consistent line-up, chosen from British metal band Absolva, played on the album – Christopher Appleton (guitar, backing vocals), Martin McNee (drums), Karl Schramm (bass). Blaze and Appleton shared the work mixing and producing, whilst Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Tank, British Lion, Voodoo Six) handled the mastering. The striking and detailed artwork is provided by Akirant Illustration (Iron Maiden, Star Wars).

In terms of touring, like so many other artists, Blaze (normally relentless on the live circuit) has recently been restricted by the pandemic but did manage a tour of Brazil in January 2020, before a heroic sold-out performance at Burr Fest (The Dome, London) in March 2020 in honour of former-Iron Maiden drummer the late Clive Burr. If travel restrictions permit and if safe, it is hoped to fulfil a number of festival bookings during Summer 2021, followed by an extensive UK tour towards the end of the year, returning to Europe in 2022.

Current festival shows booked for 2021…
22nd May           UK                    Lincoln                        Call of the Wild
6th June            Bulgaria            Dulovo                         Enigma Rocks
19th June          Germany          Daun                            Der Detze
8th July              Denmark          Fredericia                    Metal Magic
9th July              Germany          Neukirchen-Vluyn       Dong Open Air
14th July            Germany          Balingen                      Bang Your Head
30th July            UK                    Walsall                        Rock the Beacon
28th August       UK                    Newark                       Stone Dead Tracklist: War Within Me, 303, Warrior, Pull Yourself Up, Witches Night, 18 Flights, The Dream of Alan Turing, The Power of Nikola Tesla, The Unstoppable Stephen Hawking, Every Storm Ends

‘War Within Me’ is to be released on CD, Vinyl and digital platforms.

For more info about Blaze Bayley go to www.blazebayley.net