Best blaze songs...

[Crazypants]

I wish they would have done a proper studio recording of this rather than just the one off goofy jam session. First time I saw this this I was blown away. Might be the only non Blaze Maiden song where Blaze sounds as good/better then Bruce..... To much ? Im only half joking with that statement.

[Blacksteel]

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Its not Blaze's faults, he is doing what he can..and yes..he just aint fit with iron maiden character.. iron maiden need lower tone voice and high voice as well.

Maybe...just maybe... that Manowar front man (sorry i forgot his name, Eric or else..) has similar character with Bruce and almost same musically background... (its debatable of course).

Just my two cents.

-beastmaster-

Manowar's Eric Adams could have been an interesting choice, not so sure it would be a right fit, but he has great sustain and power, of course we love Bruce, so good thing he came back.
I got to see Blaze live during the X-Factor tour and he did a great job live and he did sound closer to Dickinson's, even different than the album.

[Coletrain]

Futureal is a great tune along with Man on the Edge. Haven't seen a mention of Virus, but I enjoy that one as well.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9zofmtt_8oQ

[thealchemist]

I also really like Virus, thats a great song. The other strong tunes are Sign of the Cross, The Clansman and Man on the Edge for me. I do think Bruce's versions of the latter two live show why he is a better fit for the band. His higher register and screams put more theatrics into the songs in my opinion.

[Crazypants]

I also really like Virus, thats a great song. The other strong tunes are Sign of the Cross, The Clansman and Man on the Edge for me. I do think Bruce's versions of the latter two live show why he is a better fit for the band. His higher register and screams put more theatrics into the songs in my opinion.

I don't think Maiden has played a song besides Clansman from the Blaze catalog since the Ed Hunter tour in 99. Even Clansman was last played in 2003 Give me Ed tour. So i don't think Bruces register on Clansman or MotE was ever a consideration for bringing him back. Blaze did struggle with with a lot of Maidens older catalog, had a weak stage presence and combined with a nasty allergy attack that got half the virtual XI NA shows canceled definitely contributed to him being replaced. For all his faults I still like the Blaze fronted Maiden.

I personally rank Virtual XI higher then Dance of Death, Somewhere in Time or Final Frontier.

[Crazypants]

So i just got notice that the Blaze show I bought tickets to was canceled 5 weeks before the show due to low ticket sales. Trash promoters should look in the mirror before typing their everybody but me excuses.

On that note some brand new Blaze....

[HeadOnFire]

As far as Blaze's work with Iron Maiden goes, my favorites by far are 'Look for the Truth' and 'The Educated Fool.' 'Look for the Truth' is just so powerful, comparing the act of looking inwardly at yourself with a knife - "Knife of the truth, deepest cut of all from you!" And the "Oooh-oh-oh!" part, along with the solo, just seem to capture that emotion perfectly. And as for The Educated Fool, that song just applies to everyone. Its lyrics describe a universal truth of the human condition: none of us really know what we're doing or where we're going, but desperately wish to find out. Some of us may pretend to know the meaning/purpose of our life through science, religion, etc. but no matter how much literature, history, and philosophy you engage in, you're still basically lost in the sea of life - pretty much the same message as Ghost of the Navigator in my opinion.

But Blaze had a great solo career after he left Maiden. I haven't followed much of it so far - only listened to Tenth Dimension and Silicon Messiah - but based on those 2 albums I'd say he is an extremely gifted (not to mention underrated) singer and songwriter. His song 'The Brave' is inspiring and uplifting in a way that makes me more willing to take chances with my own personal life, while 'Ghost in the Machine' and 'Silicon Messiah' are just a fascinating sci-fi story. Basically, that album is about humans finding a way to program human consciousness into a computer, and that sentient computer waking up and being completely confused/overwhelmed by its new, artificial existence. They then create a body for the computer "brain" out of silicon (astro-biologists in real life have theorized that alien life could exist based on silicon, rather than carbon, since carbon and silicon have such similar properties). That artificial human then becomes the "silicon messiah," who questions whether humans deserve the right to live on a planet that they continuously destroy, and eventually enslaves humanity for its own good. We create the Silicon Messiah, and he saves us from ourselves.




tl;dr version: Blaze Bayley is awesome, both within and without Iron Maiden

[Crazypants]

Saw Blaze last night in Newport, KY. The show was at the Southgate House which an old church converted to a concert venue so it had a cool stained glass backdrop. The man himself was upfront when they opened the door meeting people and shaking hands. There was only around 40 ppl there and no opening bands. Despite the small crowd people were really into it. Blaze had an awesome stage presence and interacted with the audience a bunch. The Virus and the Wolfsbane song Man Hunt were highlights for me. There was also a guy who brought his autistic 12 old kid for his birthday and Blaze did an impromptu metal version of Happy Birthday for him and the band gave him the set list, drum sticks and guitar pics after the show. Kid was so happy he cried. Got to talk to some young guys who brought records to be signed about the vinyl represses and some older guys about Maiden concerts they've seen in the 80s. Very cool vibe from all there. Blaze did his regular free meet and greet after the show and it was cool to get a pic and shoot the shit with him for a few.

Despite the small crowd Blaze kept the energy level high. Blaze came off really humble and grateful for everyone there. Wasn't pushy with the merch at all and said "Thank you for being here. Its an honor and privilege to preform for you tonight. I'm 100% independent and This is how i pay my rent." About half the songs (esp. the Maiden songs) were sing alongs that went over well after a few beers. I'm kinda surprised I still have a voice. I know some of my Troopers are in Dallas and San Antonio and Blaze will be there next week. If your on the fence about seeing him Id encourage you to do it. Blaze is a class act and the show was just plain good old fun.

Ill upload some videos I took later.

[Crazypants]

Blaze Bayley Newport, KY Aug 23, 2017


Virus

[The Educated fool]

Cool pics and vid, pants!

I always liked Virus...