(iTunes Link, sort of.) Since leaving Iron Maiden in 1999, Blaze has released five studio albums. The first two are his best. The third is a mixed bag: half the songs are amazing, half are throwaways. The fourth and this new one, Promise and Terror, they’re his best, too.

Actually, these last two albums, The Man Who Would Not Die and Promise and Terror are very similar. They’re heavy in less an Iron Maiden kind of way and more of a Megadeth kind of way. And the emotion! Blaze is a fellow who can sing sadness and bewilderment with conviction, and no wonder: in 2008, his wife of four months died of a cerebral hemorrhage. So when he sings, “Why must I face this life / Why am I here alone / Where did the future go / Why am I here alone?” his voice reaches right through my earbuds and yanks on my  heart strings.

If you’re into metal of any stripe, get this album. Hell, if you listen to any music played by real humans and not a DAT machine, get this album.

UPDATE: Seems Blabbermouth.net has an archive of the statement Blaze released concerning the passing of his wife in 2008. It’s well written, honest, open, and heart-breaking. I’m shocked and humbled by his work-ethic.