Blaze - Tenth Dimension

Year of Release: 2002
Label: SPV
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:53:00

There are some sad stories that often finish on a good note. He was originally known as the singer of Wolfsbane and then he became known as the black sheep of Iron Maiden, and finally he made his way into the realm of solo artist when his debut disc Silicon Messiah. With a complete line-up of unknowns in Jeff Singer (d), John Slater (g), Steve Wray (g) and Rob Naylor (b), Blaze managed in 2000 what everyone thought impossible: conquering the metal world.

Now with his second album Tenth Dimension, Blaze Bayley confirms what was already started with the self-titled release: that when you write songs for your vocal range, it shows. That when you don't try to repeat Bruce Dickinson, it shows. Bayley knows how to write a good traditional heavy metal album and he has a voice that was not used properly with Maiden. His range may not be that wide but he has a deep and emotional way of singing that fits perfectly with the kind of metal he writes and sings. Songs like "Kill And Destroy" and "Leap Of Faith" are perfect exemples of what he is up to: fast and mid-paced guitar riffs with clear and pounding drums along with a story about scientific consipracies. Everything in Tenth Dimension should appeal to any traditional heavy metal fans. For sure, it's nothing original and the Maiden and Metallica influences show in the song writing, but it is done with passion, self respect and integrity. And it's all produced by the magic hands of Andy Sneap (the mastermind behind the last Nevermore album Dead Heart In A Dead World).

Most thought Blaze was done, that he should have stopped playing metal two years ago, but Bayley took his revenge by releasing not one, but two outstanding heavy metal albums.

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Forgotten Future / Kill And Destroy / End Dream / The Tenth Dimension / Nothing Will Stop Me / Leap Of Faith / The Truth Revealed / Meant To Be / Land Of The Blind / Stealing Time / Speed Of Light / Stranger To The Light

Musicians:
Blaze Bayley - vocals
Steve Wray - guitars
John Slater - guitars
Rob Naylor - bass
Jeff Singer - drums

Discography:
Silicon Messiah (2000)
Tenth Dimension (2002)
As Live As It Gets (2003)
Blood And Belief (2004)

Genre: Traditional Metal

Origin UK

Added: December 7th 2004
Reviewer: Mathieu Chamberlain
Score:
Artist website: www.planetblaze.com/
Hits: 2127
Language: english