Blaze to begin recording new album

BLAZE, the British band led by former IRON MAIDEN/WOLFSBANE singer Blaze Bayley, will enter Backstage Studios in Ripley, England on Monday (Dec. 8) to begin recording their third album, tentatively due in early 2004 through SPV Records.

According to producer Andy Sneap, who worked with the band on their previous two offerings, the tracking for the as-yet-untitled effort will be completed on December 20, with the mixing process set to commence in early January. "It's more of a live approach because of time and because they really liked the way the live album ['As Live As It Gets'] came out," Sneap told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "It's a very tight schedule/budget on this one."

As previously reported, BLAZE will return to JB's Dudley for the third annual BLAZE Big Bash on December 27. This year, the band have promised a signing session, competitions, raffle and the first-ever live performance of tracks from their as-yet-untitled third studio release. Tickets cost £10.00 and are available from www.wayahead.com and the Way Ahead 24-hour credit card hotline on +44 (0) 115 9120000, JB's ticket office on +44 (0) 1384 253597 or on the door at JB's, 15 Castlehill, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4QF.