822. Blaze Bayley / The Man Who Would Not Die. 2008, 3.5/5

Motoring his way well out of his Iron Maiden years, Blaze Bayley has been... well... blazing his own path since his split with the metal giants back in 1999. Perhaps his most important values to have come in his music since is that it all basically distances itself from anything he did in his two previous bands, Wolfsbane and Iron Maiden. Each of his solo band albums have become progressively more diverse from those bands' style of music, and he has forged his own way and style which is to be highly commended. The fact that he has consistently produced good albums and great songs helps that immensely.

Building on the progress that had been furthered on the previous album, The Man Who Would Not Die gallops out of the speakers at a blinding speed from the second you press the play button, surprising and delighting you in the same instant. The title track "The Man Who Would Not Die" is off before you know it, careering at a rate of knots that brings a smile to the face. Blaze is in great form here. This passes into "Blackmailer" and "Smile back at Death" which both continue the excellent start to this album. The new band assembled for this release all sound great, and given that there is apparently a great contribution from all members on this album it sounds as if they all have something invested in the outcome.
"While You Were Gone" slows the tempo down at the start of the song, before busting out through the middle section with gusto, and then heading into another ball tearer in "Samurai". This along with the opening track are probably my favourite two songs on the album. "A Crack in the System" and "Robot" follow, and are both good songs, if just a touch repetitive, both vocally and riff wise. Vocally, Blaze also sings these two just a little... robotically, as well, and with the same riff pretty much dominating throughout each of the songs, it can sometimes be too much.
"At the End of the Day" is probably the Blaze Bayley equivalent of a power ballad. Certainly it's not really a ballad as such, but its slowed down tempo and vocal style entices you to start thinking that it is. This problem is solved as we jump straight into "Waiting For My Life to Begin", fast-riffing out of the slow tempo of the previous song into speedy guitar picking here. The song also sounds better as the over-dominant double kick isn't in evidence, allowing the guitars to be the focus of attention and play their part . Great stuff. "Voices From the Past" again gives the guitars full reign during their solo break in the middle of the song, providing the highlight of the track. "The Truth is One" keeps the quick tempo running, while "Serpent Hearted Man" would have benefitted from this kind of tempo, as it is a good song, but just doesn't quite have the right feel about the music to make it the closer the album deserves.
If there is one minor flaw with the album, I guess you could argue that it does have a very familiar and similar sound most of the way through. This can lead to the album feeling as though it is a little too long, also due to the fact that the average song length is longer than a three and a half minute radio tune. At a couple of ticks over the hour mark, if you aren't a huge fan of the band you could certainly begin to feel it may outstay its welcome. It's a small detail, and not meant to be a criticism of the work as a whole, just as a pointer towards why some do not enjoy this all the way through. And yes, the double kick drum seems to be a constant throughout, and this also seems to include indulging in a similar rhythm riff for most of the album... sure, it wouldn't be hard to try and be picky if you were of a mind to do so. Thus it is important to note that these things are a part of the album. However, when you are in the album, these slight deficiencies melt away, leaving you with what is a very listenable and enjoyable range of songs.

This was to be the final album of Blaze Bayley as a band entity, before he became a true solo artists, and brought in session musicians or bands to help him record and perform. To be honest, this has perhaps hurt his future material, without collaborators around him that he trusts to bounce ideas off. Still, there is plenty here to like and enjoy, and admire the tenacity of the man who has built a career beyond the high profile bands he was once a part of.

Rating:  I have a noose around my neck, it is spun from my hopes and dreams.  3.5/5