Blaze Bayley
Infinite Entanglement


4.0
excellent

Review

by PsychicChris USER (593 Reviews)
June 20th, 2016 | 14 replies


Release Date: 2016 | Tracklist

Review Summary: While Infinite Entanglement isn’t as godly as Blaze’s more established solo efforts, it does a good job of making sure its ambition doesn’t come at the expense of the songwriting

Blaze Bayley’s solo material hasn’t gotten the same exposure as the two albums he recorded as the singer of Iron Maiden, but anyone in his small but loyal fanbase can tell you how much stronger it tends to be. His career has been steady despite constant personnel shifts, but his first two efforts, 2000’s Silicon Messiah and 2002’s The Tenth Dimension, tend to be the most revered due in part to their sci-fi lyrical themes. Bayley’s seventh solo album sees him return to past tropes, but reintroduces them as the first installment of what is set to be a three album story arc.

The scope of Blaze’s ambition might be as intimidating as his alma mater releasing a double album last year, but the lyrical theme never feels like too much to handle. The story centers on a man who is given an extended lifespan and sent into space, but the lyrics tend to focus on his feelings of isolation and determination rather than the nitty-gritty details. The story is also given some mystery by the brief spoken segment that bookend songs throughout, but they don’t linger for too long.

Thus like any good concept album, the music takes center stage. The bulk of the songs are the usual fist-pumping, traditional metal fare; songs like “A Thousand Years” and “Human” are upbeat sing-alongs that recall Helloween or Sabaton, while the darker crunch on “Stars Are Burning” sounds vaguely like something King Diamond would do. “What Will Come” also stands out for the smooth flamenco guitar work that was no doubt inspired by the acoustic tours that Blaze has recently undertaken.

However, the album can feel rather off balance at times. In addition to the second half being less memorable than the first, a couple tracks may be a little too reliant on their Maidenisms, with the guitar melody on “Dark Energy 256” in particular sounding derivative of “Futureal.” The production also leans too much in the vocals’ favor at times, resulting in Blaze potentially drowning the band out during the album’s more subtle moments.

While Infinite Entanglement isn’t as godly as Blaze’s more established solo efforts, it does a good job of making sure its ambition doesn’t come at the expense of the songwriting. Much like the seminal Operation: Mindcrime, its overarching ideas are compelling, but the individual songs will work to keep listeners interested. Either way, I have more faith in Blaze Bayley being able to sustain a trilogy than I do in Geoff Tate…

Highlights:
“A Thousand Years”
“Human”
“What Will Come”
“Stars Are Burning”
“Solar Winds”

Originally published at http://indymetalshows.com



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user ratings (34)
3.3
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
Lavair
June 20th 2016


963 Comments


The only reason I know who this is is because I see his name whenever I look up my own name.

Edit: Woops, I was thinking of Just Blaze.

TheSonomaDude
June 20th 2016


9218 Comments


Not halford so sucks xD xD xD xD xD xD xD xD love me society

Ebola
June 21st 2016


4589 Comments


Great review, will probably check this at some point.

Rastapunk
June 21st 2016


1585 Comments


Couldn't get into this album yet I loved Promise And Terror and The Man Who Would Not Die. His shows are awesome and he usually plays small venues which is awesome considering the energy he gives.

Will try again soon
Pos.

InFlamesWeThrash666
June 22nd 2016


10589 Comments


Will check this

DrJohn
June 22nd 2016


1041 Comments


dunno... called it quits when the verse kicked in - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCXpqkK8i1Y&t=1m3s

Faenrir
October 18th 2016


1170 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

Haha oh my god...this guy is a mess. Thanks DrJohn, you saved me a listen.

demigod!
October 18th 2016


49631 Comments


oh my god that cover art

Faenrir
October 18th 2016


1170 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

I must be mad...i actually listened to more of it. Waste of time (thankfully, i was working while listening).

piroga84
June 3rd 2017


366 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This is by far his best work ever.

Now I am listening to the second part of the trilogy and yesterday I watched him live. He is in the best form of his career

Faenrir
June 3rd 2017


1170 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

"This is by far his best work ever. "

That's not saying much, though, is it ?

InFlamesWeThrash666
June 3rd 2017


10589 Comments


Silicon Messiah and The Man That Would Not Die are very good albums.

piroga84
June 3rd 2017


366 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Faenrir

Move along mate and stop wasting time in things you don't like

Faenrir
March 20th 2019


1170 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

^ Lol yeah, people that don't like albums shouldn't rate or comment, i guess ? What kind of stupid thing to say.



Anyway, this is much weaker than Silicon Messiah, indeed.

I haven't checked the man that would not die, yet.



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