Year: 2024
Total Time: 44.08
Label: Blaze Bayley Recordings
Listening to Blaze’s new, eleventh album I found myself wondering if Blaze is one of the last traditional heavy metallers left in the music scene. Maybe along with some classic bands of the genre. Without particular experimentation but with an honesty and directness that draws the attention.
The album “Circle Of Stone” does not enchant musically. Nevertheless, it is a very good sample of 80s and 90s Heavy Metal but given under a somewhat modern perpective. Nevertheless, what makes this particular album stand out is the emotional load it seems to carry and is mainly reflected in the way Bayley sings almost all the songs. From the powerful “Tears In Rain” and “The Year Beyond This Year” to the heartbreaking ballad “The Broken Man”. Bayley, as a prophet of his own fate that made him face a serious health problem shortly after the completion of the album recording in March 2023, focuses on spirituality, the essence of life and the futility of material possessions. Perhaps this introspection while creating this particular album mentally prepared him for the fight for his life.
Apart from all that, “Circle Of Stone” has all the necessary ingredients for a worthy Heavy Metal album and the right “cooks” as his band (Luke and Chris Appleton’s ABSOLVA) has now been perfectly matched with Blaze. Dynamic riffs and quality solos like the one in “Rage” highlight the very good material. Favorite moment is the slightly folky instrumental “The Call Of The Ancestors” due to bagpipes and also the contribution of Niklas Stalvind of WOLF on “Circle Of Stone”. Finally, it is worth mentioning that we are talking about an album of 12 songs and only 44 minutes, that is, each song is less than 4 minutes on average (in fact only 3 songs last more than 4 minutes). This helps to keep the listener attention as the switching of rhythms and emotions is quick.
To sum um, “Circle Of Stone” is a typical Blaze Bayley album, who stays true to his musical principles and above all honest to his fans. This is my true self, this is my career and whoever likes it can come along.
Rating: 7,5/10
Editor: Kostas Boudoukos
Related Link: BLAZE BAYLEY – Official Page
