Iron Maiden’s founder, bass commander, and chief galloper Steve Harris has opened up about the much-debated Blaze Bayley years — and guess what? He reckons some of the tracks from that period are among his finest work.
For the uninitiated (where have you been, butt?), Blaze Bayley fronted Maiden between 1994 and 1999, stepping into the mighty boots left behind by Bruce Dickinson. It was a turbulent time: smaller venues, mixed reviews, and fans split like a mosh pit at “The Trooper.” But Harris has always been fiercely protective of the era.
💬 “People give that time a hard rap, but I honestly think some of the songs we did with Blaze were among the best I’ve ever written,” Harris reflected. “It was a challenging period, but that doesn’t take away from the quality of the music.”
The Blaze albums — “The X Factor” (1995) and “Virtual XI” (1998) — might not have topped every fan’s list, but they carried colossal epics like “Sign of the Cross”, “The Clansman”, and “Futureal.” Songs that still get Maiden diehards foaming at the mouth and even sneak into setlists today. (And let’s be real — when Bruce belts out “Freedom!” in “The Clansman,” the field at Download turns into Braveheart, mun. 🏴☠️)
Of course, Blaze took plenty of stick back in the day. He wasn’t Bruce, he had a deeper, rougher edge, and he was singing to crowds expecting falsetto fireworks. But he gave it everything, and Harris clearly has no time for the naysayers.
These days, Blaze is a cult hero — smashing it on the solo circuit, endlessly down-to-earth with fans, and treated with a lot more respect than he ever got in the mid-90s.
So, next time someone slags off the Blaze years, remember: even Steve Harris says they had riffs worth worshipping. Proper job. 🤘
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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