Blaze Bayley
Tenth Dimension

Blaze Bayley is perhaps the symbol of the word "determination." In its deepest meaning. After seeing his dreams of glory come true, in his (albeit short) career with Maiden, with two albums in my opinion not exceptional, but very enjoyable, poor Blaze was kicked out in a bad way by the band, more precisely by all the members except for Steve Harris, who was threatened by the others to leave the group if Bayley didn't exit. Blaze was, in my opinion, a whim of Steve Harris, his outlet to grasp the absence of a unique vocalist like Dickinson. With the release of Brave New World and the return of his majesty Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, Iron Maiden became active and united again after the crisis of the '90s. Blaze, on the other hand, released his first solo album "Silicon Messiah," which came out seven days before the aforementioned Maiden album, an album everyone expected to be a flop. Instead, Silicon Messiah is a perfect example of what a Heavy Metal album should be. Two years later, Blaze released his second album, which I will review, "Tenth Dimension." A concept album centered on the story of a scientist who, after discovering the tenth dimension, is ostracized by everyone and everything, but he has the strength to persevere and fight for his discovery, seeking the truth to the end. Paradoxically, it somehow reminds me of Blaze's career, viewed from a certain perspective.

The CD opens with "Forgotten Future," a simple intro that immediately leads us to one of the album's killer tracks, "Kill And Destroy," where massive riffs and relentless drumming describe a song full of rage, rage expressed also in Bayley's voice, which describes society as tyrants, using authority, fear, and suffering to keep the masses at bay, with the people being nothing more than sand and dust, as long as there is power. With "End Dream," it plays on darker tones, a sort of throwback to "Silicon Messiah." The title track is one of the best hits of the album, with a masterful bass, never put in the background, accompanying Blaze's voice, which is excellent in this context. The chorus is also great, one of the best on the album. "Nothing Will Stop Me" is a semi-ballad that explodes in the second half, but the first part gives space to a truly excellent Blaze. With "Leap of Faith," we face an unstoppable song in its progression, characterized by great drumming and an excellent pre-chorus. "The Truth Revealed" is an intro sung with very dark tones that introduces us to "Meant to Be," a simply fantastic ballad, characterized by excellent songwriting, definitely one of my favorites. "Land of the Blind" and "Stealing Time" are two songs that bring me back to "Kill And Destroy," two good tracks, although the first one has a much more massive rhythmic section. "Speed of Light," as the title already suggests, is the fastest song on the album, a real gem. "Stranger To The Light" is a song alternated by highs and lows, but easily memorable and is the ideal track to finish this beautiful concept.

Maybe I'm a bit biased, but I think Blaze never had the chance to shine, concept albums like this show that Blaze not only has fantastic songwriting on his side but also a voice he has finally managed to characterize, to give a soul to, unlike during the Maiden period. It's unfortunate that, as happened with "Silicon Messiah," this album was promoted absolutely nil, and that's why after its release, Blaze fell into a period of depression and alcoholism. Blaze is a person who, despite facing thousands of injustices, always found a way to rise again and do what he loved the most: Playing straightforward and direct Heavy Metal.

"Now I find myself as a man, and I no longer see their walls

I'll make my rules, map out my path on paper

In vain, they expected to see me fall, to see me die

But that is no longer me." (Meant To Be)