Given everything that has happened to Blaze Bayley in recent years the most surprising thing about this, the band's third studio album, is the fact that it has actually been recorded and released. In recent interviews Blaze has talked about the many personal problems he has been through including his addictions to alcohol, his depression and even thoughts of suicide.

Given the above it is hardly surprising that the lyrics that Blaze has written for the album are both introspective and at times vitriolic. This is summed up perfectly in opening track 'Alive', a mid tempo song that is fuelled by suitably heavy guitars throughout. Although at times the song seems to plod you can here the anger in Bayley's voice as he spits out the fact that he is indeed still 'Alive'.

This song sets the tone for the whole album as Bayley delves deep into his personal demons to serve up the lyrical content on offer. The problem that I have with the album is that in general, although it is a solid throughout, I find it all a very non descript affair. All of the ingredients are there, the heavy guitar riffs, the acoustic interludes, the dual guitar passages and solos, but somehow when it was all put together the whole came out as less than the sum of its parts.

It almost appears that the band is on auto-pilot for example the title track 'Blood & Belief' takes a whole chapter from the Iron Maiden song book with the use of light and shade throughout the song as does  'Life And Death' which wanders through a few mood changes from the soft acoustic verse into a a slightly heavier bridge and chorus.

The best song, in my opinion, that the album contains is 'Hollow Head'  , the lyrics are funny but poignant at the same time. The music is at times metronomic but heavy enough to satisfy most metal heads and the delivery of the vocals is by far the strongest on the record.

Overall Blood & Belief is a dependable if unspectacular album. The band does not deviate from the traditional metal formula and offers nothing new in terms of melody or instrumentation. As I said at the beginning, the greatest triumph of this record is the fact that it actually exists, but in existing it is unlikely to raise Bayley's profile above where it currently stands.

Let us know your views on 'Blood & Belief'

Track List

Alive
Ten Seconds
Blood And Belief
Life And Death
Tearing Yourself To Pieces
Hollow Head
Will To Win
Regret
The Path & The Way
Soundtrack Of My Life

Line Up

Blaze Bayley - Lead Vocals
Steve Wray - Guitar
John Slater - Guitars
Wayne Banks - Bass
Jason Bowld - Drums