Review by Jamie Donovan



"Promise and Terror" is Blaze Bayley's fifth studio album since going solo and I have to admit, before I sat down to listen to it, my main concern was if it could stand up to his 2008 offering "The Man Who Would Not Die" - which was a joy to behold and would be a great addition to anybody's music collection.  I needn't have worried...

The album kicks off in a promising enough fashion with "Watching The Night Sky", which is energetic and well put together.  However, in my opinion, it doesn't seem to pack the requisite punch for an opening track.  It is followed by "Madness and Sorrow" which is a frantic and furious head-banger track and is a song that really brings out Blaze's unique vocal style.  The real starring tracks of the album all follow each other and the first time I heard it, I immediately replayed them all.

"1633" has impressive musicianship with every band member seeming to be playing out of their skin - the bass, guitars and drums combine to produce a great catchy tune.  "God of Speed" - as you might imagine - is the type of track that is perfect for driving along to, but has more depth to it than the title suggests, with some very soulful lyrics and brilliant riffs.

"City Of Bones" is the best song on the album, in my personal opinion.  It is hauntingly dark and atmospheric, and the more you hear it, the more you love it.  "Faceless" and "Time To Dare" are another pair of great songs in the typical Blaze style. "Faceless" in particular speaks of Blaze's courage and passion, including lyrics like "If you think you will be beaten, you will be beaten down".  They are lyrics that can only be sung by someone who's had a life such as Blaze has had.

"Surrounded By Sadness" is a surprise, being the first acoustic song Blaze has recorded since going solo, bringing things down a notch after the previous ferocious tracks then blending seamlessly into "The Trace Of Things That Have No Words" - which features some great work by guitarists Nico Bermudez and Jay Walsh and lyrics that drip with genuine sorrow.

"Letting Go Of The World" and "Comfortable In Darkness" round off the album - the former being almost feral in nature and the latter - whilst being a slower song - is a great way to finish off the album.

The factor that stands out the most in the last few tracks of the album is that they flow continuously, with no gaps. It seems as though this is deliberately done to tell a story full of genuine emotions. Considering the rigours and challenges Blaze has faced in his life, including the loss of his wife Debbie, it isn’t surprising that it comes through his musical works as raw, unhidden emotion.

Whether it's the more downbeat (yet brilliant) latter half of the album, or the sheer brute force of the earlier tracks, one thing is clear:  this album oozes with genuine passion.  After a few listens to "Promise and Terror" it's clear that this may be Blaze's best work yet.  There isn't a song short of excellence on the entire album (barring the slightly weaker opening track) and it sticks to Blaze's inimitable style from past works yet takes it that extra step higher still. 

In my opinion, "Promise and Terror" is an early contender for the best album of 2010 and there is every reason why you should go out and buy it as soon as possible.


Check out our review and photos of Blaze's recent gig at JBs in Dudley here.