If somebody attempted to write a biography about yours truly, it would likely be titled something along the lines of “A Lifetime of Unpopular Opinions“. I’m full of unpopular opinions. Among these are: KISS’s Music from “The Elder” is a strong album, Abominog is the best Uriah Heep record to date, and Manowar sucks. Oh yeah. And the Blaze Bayley era of Iron Maiden is not nearly as bad as the masses make it out to be. Matter of fact, these days I tend to prefer the two records Bayley recorded with the band, The X Factor and Virtual XI, over the last two with Dickinson, No Prayer for the Dying and Fear of the Dark.
Not only do I enjoy the music Bayley has made with Maiden and as a solo artist, but I sympathize with him as well. Much like Ripper Owens, he’s never been able to shake his status as “that guy who replaced an iconic singer”. This remains the case 20+ years and 10 studio albums later. The latest in this slew of studio albums is War Within Me. Unlike past releases, which focused around a central concept, War Within Me explores a variety of themes including life on the road, war/history, motivation, and a trilogy suite dedicated to some of the most prolific scientists to walk the earth.
Musically, War Within Me is enjoyable, yet very predictable. Bayley and his band play it safe, sticking to the conventional Maiden style of metal. The difference is Bayley’s band, while competent in their own right, is no Maiden. Sure the riffs and leads on “303” and “The Unstoppable Stephen Hawking” give flashbacks to Dave Murray and Janick Gers, but Murray and Gers these guitarists are not. When the band isn’t playing straightforward heavy metal, they veer into power metal territory. It’s these cuts that are the most exciting moments on the record. In particular, I’m talking about the opening title track and my choice cut, “The Power of Nikola Tesla”. The latter boasts that high speed power riffing which gets me every time, as well as a memorable chorus.
Some songs are pseudo ballads. Others are fist pumping Wacken friendly fodder. Through it all is the bellowing voice of Bayley. In terms of dynamics, his voice is nowhere near Dickinson’s, but that was always his appeal to me. Unlike Owens, who has spent the better part of his career attempting to sound like Rob Halford, Bayley never tried to sound like Dickinson or even Paul Di’Anno for that matter. He always sounded like himself. Despite years of touring and recording, Bayley still sings with the same vigor that earned him his spot in Maiden nearly 30 years ago. If nothing else, War Within Me is worth a listen for Bayley’s vocal prowess alone.
Aside from these sporadic moments of musical heroics and unrelenting power metal, War Within Me suffers from lack of creativity. It’s not a bad album, but calling it “enjoyable” would be a stretch too. It rests right in the middle as a pedestrian offering; Maiden lite, if you will. It’d be cool if Bayley doubled down on the power metal leanings for his next effort. Hopefully he’ll do so in the near future(al).
5 out of 10
Label: Blaze Bayley Recordings
Genre: Heavy Metal
For fans of: Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween