Blaze: I’d have loved to make 3rd Maiden album

Former Iron Maiden frontman Blaze Bayley says he regrets not having the chance to make a third album with the NWOBHM giants.

He was hired as Bruce Dickinson’s replacement in 1994 and dismissed five years later when the classic-era singer returned. In the interim he fronted Maiden albums The X Factor and Virtual XI – which he recently said were viewed more positively by fans now some time has gone by.

Bayley tells Songfacts: “One of the sadnesses of my life, a twinge of sadness, is I was working on lyrics and melodies for a third Iron Maiden album when they fired me.

“A lot of ideas I’d already got on my dictaphone, or got lyrics sketched out. Then I didn’t get the chance to work with the guys.”

But he says he’s a more confident writer after working with mainman Steve Harris. “I’ve learned about how to get that idea from your mind into the recording and into the arrangement. Before it would be very hit and miss. Working with Steve and seeing the way he puts things together really helped.

“There’s not a lot of second-guessing with Iron Maiden. It’s, ‘Does this feel good? Does this make sense? Does it move you?’ Then, ‘It’s good – that’s it.’ Maiden gave me so much confidence.”

The unused ideas became part of his 2000 release Silicon Messiah. “I’m so proud of it,” he says. “I put that level of satisfaction I have with that to the experience I had with Maiden. I never doubted myself, like I may have done before. Now, if I feel it’s good, I’ll follow that idea through.”

Bayley regrouped with Wolfsbane in 2010 and they continuing to work together despite a recent public spat. His most recent solo release was last year’s compilation Soundtracks Of My Life.

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.