British metal singer BLAZE BAYLEY has been inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame, where he now sits alongside the likes of Judas Priest and the late great Ronnie James Dio who was Blaze’s earliest influence prompting his ambition to be a heavy metal singer.

Amongst his fellow inductees in the recent ‘virtual’ ceremony were Paul Di’Anno and Derek Riggs (like Blaze, both members of the Iron Maiden family) plus members of KISS, Triumph, Stryper and also Marty Friedman.

Blaze says… ‘This is wonderful for me to be inducted into the same Hall of Fame as Ronnie James Dio, my inspiration. Thank you very very much indeed’

Blaze recently released a lyric video for the title track from his critically acclaimed ‘War Within Me’ album released in April this year, celebrating a return to playing live shows with a UK tour now in course with the following 2021 dates coming up…

September
17: Carlisle, Brickyard
18: Blackpool, Waterloo
19: Stoke, Eleven
24: Norwich, Waterfront
25: Sheffield, Corporation
October
15: Winchester, Railway
16: London, Underworld
November
14: Trecco Bay, Planet RockStock
24: Glasgow, Ivory Blacks
25: Newcastle, Trillians
26: Grimsby, Yardbirds
27: Manchester, Club Academy
December
10: Peterborough, Met Lounge
11: Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill

Blaze started his career in Wolfsbane before being poached in 1994 as the new singer in Iron Maiden, a position he held until Bruce Dickinson’s return in 1999. He subsequently carved out a solo career for himself, proving especially prolific with 7 releases (4 studio, 2 live, 1 acoustic) during the past five years sparked by the success of his Infinite Entanglement trilogy. The latest in his now impressive body of work is ‘War Within Me’ which has attracted very positive media comments, for example…

His best to date… hints of Iron Maiden and the precision of classic Megadeth’ – Malcolm Dome, Metal Hammer

‘Blaze Bayley is making the best music of his career right now, and War Within Me is an object lesson in passion and potency’ – Dom Lawson, Blabbermouth

Blaze is joined on the UK tour by special guests Absolva who have made a name for themselves in their own right as melodic British metal exponents, whilst doubling as Blaze’s backing band from 2013 to present date. Absolva frontman/guitarist Christopher Appleton is also Blaze’s co-writer and co-producer.

Looking ahead to 2022 there is a European Tour planned with several dates already announced, and more to come, whilst the release schedule is awaiting further confirmation soon. Blaze’s website is http://www.blazebayley.net

The Metal Hall of Fame virtual ceremony https://volume.com/metalhalloffame/ – click on ‘past streams’ and you’ll see the link to Metal Hall of Fame / watch the entire ceremony or fast forward to 1 hour 40 mins for the Iron Maiden section)

On 9th April 2021 British metal artist BLAZE BAYLEY releases his 11^th 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…
22^nd May           UK                    Lincoln                        Call of the Wild
6^th June            Bulgaria            Dulovo                         Enigma Rocks
19^th June          Germany          Daun                            Der Detze
8^th July              Denmark          Fredericia                    Metal Magic
9^th July              Germany          Neukirchen-Vluyn       Dong Open Air
14^th July            Germany          Balingen                      Bang Your Head
30^th July            UK                    Walsall                        Rock the Beacon
28^th August       UK                    Newark                       Stone Dead

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

Spanning 59 shows, BLAZE BAYLEY‘s Tour of the Eagle Spirit was yet another big undertaking for an independent artist, doing what he does best – connecting with his fans and celebrating together British heavy metal.

Two shows at the Melodka venue, in Brno, Czech Republic, on 28th and 29th September 2019, formed the conclusion of that tour and were recorded and filmed for this live album and DVD release ‘Live in Czech’, coming out on April 3rd 2020. The setlist features many songs from the ‘Infinite Entanglement’ trilogy of albums, released in consecutive years 2016-2018, with the particluar inclusion of the more epic songs from the trilogy, such as ‘Eagle Spirit’ and ‘Together We Can Move the Sun’. The setlist also boasts selections from further back in Blaze’s solo career, as well as some favourites from his two albums with Iron Maiden – ‘X-Factor’ and ‘Virtual XI’.

This is the regular team again used for this release….

Backing musicians taken from British melodic metal band Absolva….
Christopher Appleton : guitar and backing vocals
Martin Mcnee : drums
Karl Schramm : bass and backing vocals

Audio produced by Christopher Appleton (of Absolva)
Mastered by Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Tank, Voodoo Six)
Coverart by Akirant Illustration (Iron Maiden, Star Wars)
DVD produced by Blaze Bayley.
Filmed by Rich Pembridge and John Cowperthwaite.
Photography by Paulovic Photography and Marc-Patrick Gatling

Track listing:

The Dark Side of Black
A Thousand Years
Dark Energy 256
The World Is Turning the Wrong Way
Human
Together We Can Move the Sun
Solar Wind
Virus
Life Goes On
Fight Back
Silicon Messiah
The Day I Fell to Earth
Eagle Spirit
Calling You Home
Stare at The Sun
Man On The Edge
Futureal
The Clansman

Blaze has just completed an 8 date tour of Brazil, including a sold-out finale in Sao Paulo. Following that there is a series of Iron Maiden 25th anniversary festival appearances, starting with Burr Fest on 7th March in London – the event in memory of former Iron Maiden drummer, the late Clive Burr. The anniversary shows in 2020 are a continuation of Blaze’s festival performances in 2019, playing exclusively songs from his two albums with Maiden, and so celebrating the 25th anniversary of him joining the band in 1994.

During September-October there will be a European Tour celebrating the September 2020 re-issue of Blaze’s ‘Tenth Dimension’ album, followed by a UK tour in November. These tour dates are due to be announced from early-mid February.

A brand new studio album is scheduled for release in March 2021. Blaze and Christopher Appleton have already begun writing for this.

For more information please visit www.blazebayley.net where fans will also find a variety of pre-order options.