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Blaze Bayley: Promise and Terror

Heavy/Power Metal

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Blaze Bayley Recordings
www.blazebayley.net
www.myspace.com/blazebayley
Review: Craig Hartranft,  01.18.2010

Hot on the heels of his explosive live CD and DVD, The Night That Would Not Die, singer Blaze Bayley delivers Promise and Terror, another solid platter of heavy metal in the old school way. With each new release, I'm increasingly amazed at Bayley's vocal strength and versatility, even after battling a respiratory ailment in his career. But Blaze never was a screamer, nor attempted some unfocused falsetto, like some metal vocalists have attempted. Bayley has always been a metal "singer," a little lower on the scale, but always precise and clear. He's quite impressive on Faceless, 1633, and Letting Go of the World. Younger vocalists could take a lesson or two from Bayley.

As for Promise and Terror on the whole, it's a strong mix of power and traditional heavy metal. Many songs move at break neck speed like Watching the Night Sky, Madness and Sorrow, and Faceless. But, these are not the best tracks on the album. Bayley and company deliver the real metal goods on the more developed and versatile 1633, God of Speed, and City of Bones. Even better is Time to Dare, a song that has movements of power and beauty which other bands would envy. Tempering the sound to the lyrics, Surrounded by Sadness, shows the band in its best creativity.

Though I was not overly impressed by the faster paced pieces, Promise and Terror proves that Blaze Bayley and band are going from strength to strength with each new album. Promise and Terror is a solid, well-crafted work of entertaining traditional heavy metal. Very recommended!

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Promise and Terror proves that Blaze Bayley and band are going from strength to strength with each new album. Promise and Terror is a solid, well-crafted work of entertaining traditional heavy metal.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]