The third studio album from Blaze is one heavy beast, let me tell you! Not only sonically, but also lyrically. So, the theme is not science/sci-fi based this time. Real life and shit it throws at us is what 'Blood & Belief' is all about and it is from Blaze Bayley's personal point of view. He openly tells about his depression and alcoholism. Being darker than many a metal album, can it rock then?

'Blood & Belief' is filled with varying emotions. At some part the album is angry or positive, at some part very melancholic, sad or ironic. 'Alive' is an angry piece of modern heavy metal (simplistic riffing, bass-driven) and managed to frighten me: what if the whole album is like this? 'Ten Seconds' takes a step or two backwards in heavy metal history, partly sounding like it was 1980s again, and a very energetic song indeed. Guitar duo John Slater/Steve Wray get to offer some wonderful harmonies and soloing and this is pure Blaze again. The title track and 'Life and Death' are darker yet looks at a man who loses his zest for life, the first being angry and latter one being melancholic but neither losing the heaviness. 'Tearing Yourself to Pieces' is a schizophrenic mixture of groovy heaviness and good old melodiousness. 'Hollow Head' is a groovy "fun" rocker, but fails to impress me, even though it continues the story. 'Will to Win' is a classic Blaze, 'Born as a Stranger' Mk II kind of rocker full of positive energy. 'Regret' is a beautiful song including the most heart-breaking guitar playing I've possibly ever heard, the song has this "I made it but lost something during the fight" feel. 'The Path and the Way' has weird disharmonious riffing, that at first sounded totally crap, but got under my skin. One of the heaviest songs here. 'Soundtrack of My Life' is simply awesome ending with absolutely fantastic chorus! Every time I hear the song my jaw falls down, as the song mixes melancholy and power just perfectly, as did 'Stare at the Sun' on 'Silicon Messiah' (2000).

Mr. Bayley sounds convincing with his vocals, since I've never heard him expressing emotions this well. The man's voice is very individual; not very wide, a bit raspy or dry, but bellowing and powerful singing. Might be tough for some to get, if they care even to try. They should! The guitar duo shines on this album, as mentioned, and so do the new rhythm section (Wayne Banks on bass and Jason Bowld on drums). Sound-wise, it happens that once again I could say this: the best-sounding album I've ever heard! Thanks to Andy Sneap's ears and hands and everything between them two, this is pure nirvana to those who dig it heavy and organic yet clear. One thing that sucks on this album is the cover art. It looks way too dark (colour-wise) and to tell the truth, boring. This didn't stop me buying the album and it shouldn't stop you, heavy metal maniac.

'Blood & Belief' is not an easy album because of its emotional level. The question set forth at the beginning of the review still gets the answer "yes", even though the darker elements are constantly hanging on in the music. If Blaze Bayley's voice is individual, so is the music to such point, that I can call this an individual take on heavy metal. Definitely better than 'Tenth Dimension' (2002), but can't decide between this and fantastic 'Silicon Messiah'.

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/16/2004 14:20