Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Blaze Bayley Promise And Terror Company: Blaze Bayley Records Release: 2010 Genre: Traditional Reviewer: Chris Kincaid

The one time frontman of Iron Maiden delivers a follow up

BLAZE BAYLEY is back with what may be his best album to date!

The one time frontman of Iron Maiden delivers a great follow up to his 2008 masterpiece "The Man Who Would Not Die" an album that in my opinion was pretty hard to top.

But on "Promise and Terror" Blaze storms out of the gates never letting up even to take a breath. It's a tight...energetic...unstoppable Metal juggernaught that drips with the same level of passion. It also serves as a tribute to his late wife who passed away a couple years ago. That in mind one can't help but feel charged, if not inspired, by his words and his courage to go on.

The opener titled 'Watching The Night Sky' is a speed ridden gem with it's Maiden-esque vibe and chorus that builds upon repetition. Blaze may be lower on the register with his voice but he still shines on this track. There's '1633' with it's groove laden bass line. 'God of Speed' is another standout with it's chugging guitar section. 'City of Bones' starts out with a Metal march charge and hooks you in with it's dark and sinnister sound. My favorite cut on the whole album 'Faceless' with it's fist slamming beat and a chorus that you'll want to shout. Next is 'Time To Dare' with it's galloping riff...tempo change midway...only to pick back up with a relentless guitar solo at the end.

From there the album takes a dip. It's not necessarily bad as the remaining 4 tracks have that same great punch. It's just that after riding a blistering wave of speed through the first half of the album the rest of "Promise and Terror" takes on an epic structure. One that's polished with inner reflection. They may take a little getting use to.

The mood change is geared to a more somber approach with the 4 tracks inextricably linked to each other. 'Surrounded by Sadness' starts out more or less a ballad before beefing up the guitar parts. Vocally it's Blazes most passionate showing here. Or 'Letting Go Of The World' that builds to a bitter cresendo before the haunting closer 'Comfortable in Darkness'.

Even if the last half of the album doesn't satisfy your Metal appetite the rest of it will and is worth the purchase.