'Blaze Bayley'
Mansfield Intake Club 9/5/2009
Review By Mick (the beard) Staley
I had never been to this club before and when I arrived, my first thought was it looked like an old Kwik Fit garage, with they bays at the front. On entering though it was like being inside the TARDIS as there was room after room, you could hold a mini festival in there.
That is enough of this, on with the gig itself. First up were a band I had seen and been impressed by before, BLOOD ORANGE, and tonight was very much the same, they are still as good as ever, Neil has a strange but haunting stage presence which I like and Paul Morley on bass is still as mad as a hatter.
Their announcement of a debut album later this year was music to my ears as well, so look out for that.
Next up were FURY UK they seem very accomplished musicians, but they seem to still be lacking a little something for me, but for a band that is relatively new, the only way is up as you can see the potential.
Now for the man himself, Mr BLAZE BAYLEY no less, the time was 10.40pm and having never seen him before I did not know what to expect.
From our interview earlier that night, I was bowled over by his enthusiasm and energy. I should therefore not have been surprised by his imposing command of the stage. He prowled up and down with his chest puffed out as proud as punch and his eyes at times looked positively DEMONIC. He then announced the renaming of Mansfield to MansfuckingField, which was met with rapturous roars.
Here is a word of advice to the weak and feint hearted and going to a BLAZE BAYLEY concert, DO NOT stand within reaching distance at the front!
During the set if you are unlucky or lucky enough to be within reach, he WILL grab you and pull you as I can vouch for personally as I had that pleasure. When BLAZE grabs you round the back of your neck and pulls you forward, you are going nowhere, but it all adds to the fun of the night and a terrific show.
One poor girl looked petrified when she received the BLAZE treatment, it’s all part of his interaction with his audience and done with no malice.
BLAZE was on for just short of 2 hours and what a 2 hours it was. We were treated to stuff from his MAIDEN years, with ‘Clansman’ for me the pick of the MAIDEN crop. He also played stuff from BLAZE the band and finally his current rebirth as BLAZE BAYLEY, which is what stirred my interest in him with ‘The Man Who Would Not Die’, which sounds even better live.
All the songs tell a story and if you watch the interview you will know all about it.
If you are undecided as whether or not to see BLAZE BAYLEY, then let me tell you, go along and see them, I guarantee a good show. It’s a chance to see a great showman at smaller venues.
This latest re-invention of BLAZE is to my mind his best to date, and he has assembled a great, great, bunch of musicians to drive on.
BLAZE BAYLEY live is a must and the new album,’ The Man Who Would Not Die’ is a must buy.
BLAZE is a showman with mad qualities on stage, what more do you want for a great night of metal mayhem.
