Me, as a Heavy Metal fan, and Iron Maiden fan never imagined to interview one of the iconic voices in Heavy Metal history, even I believe that this interview needs no introduction, as the name of Bayley is enough. I am here, interviewing this great musician and voice, carrying different thoughts from his fans in Middle East region.
Metal-Roos: I want to start with your latest solo album The Redemption of William Black, what are the main concepts of this album? Why did you choose to narrate or discuss one theme or one story through 3 albums?
BB: I think Infinite Entanglement is the biggest achievement of my career. The story is from the book I’m writing and some of the songs on Part III were written back in 2015 when we first started writing for this project. Those certain songs fit best into Part III of the story.
Metal-Roos: In your point of view, what are the hardest challenges that face a solo musician, currently?
BB: I’m fortunate to own my back catalogue and I have a good team around me. With the support of my fans and a lot of hard work, I am able to live my dream of being a full time professional metal singer. It’s all a hard challenge to get to that point but I don’t think it’s any easier or harder now than it ever was.
Metal-Roos: You started you career with Wolfsbane, then you joined the legendary Iron Maiden for the two albums The X Factor and VIrtual X. I am sure your fans in the Middle Eastern region and in Australia want to know more about your experience with Iron Maiden, whether in recording sessions, and tours?
BB: Being in Iron Maiden was a wonderful part of my life and I was well treated. I have great memories of touring the world and the fans mostly very generous and welcoming to me. I learned a lot co-writing with Steve Harris.
Metal-Roos: Continuing talking about your Iron Maiden career, how is your relation now with Iron Maiden members like Bruce Dickenson?
BB: Bruce is a great person and a great singer, and he has always been very supportive of me when I was in Iron Maiden and during my career afterwards.
Metal-Roos: I want to ask in some technical or wider musical topics. In your point of view, how do you see Metal music industry now?
BB: The same as my earlier answer really. It’s all a hard challenge but I don’t think it’s any easier or harder now than it ever was. It’s tough but it is possible to get the breaks.
Metal-Roos: Do you think that digital musical platforms have negative effects on the bands, especially the independent ones?
BB: I welcome the new platforms. I think they make it so much easier for new fans to discover your music.
Metal-Roos: Currently, the Metal music subgenres are increasing, and actually the majority of Metal listeners somehow go to Death Metal, Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Doom Metal and Symphonic. Or maybe they go to other genres like Alternative Rock, and Metalcore. How do you see the future of Heavy Metal music as a genre?
BB: I think you are completely wrong in your assessment. Where I live it is metal. The best and most committed are the ones people listen to. I like all kinds of metal and all kinds of music. It is about mood and emotions. When I feel I want to find strength and inspiration to help me face the challenges in my life I choose heavy metal music to help me.
Metal-Roos: Of course, you toured the whole world wither with your solo band or with Iron Maiden. Did you touch a real difference between the metalheads in each country, and what are the countries you would like to perform in?
BB: The audiences react in different ways in different countries but it’s just different, not better or worse. I love touring the world and always have done. Fans in different countries sing along with different parts of my songs and some fans are very quiet between songs and listen to what I’m saying about the song I’m about to perform. I believe I have the best fans.
Metal-Roos: Talking about tours, in the last few years, we found the many major bands are starting to go to Latin America and Asia. Also, we found big names are heading to the Eastern spots as Beirut and Dubai. Do you think that the European and North American scene reached this status of “Metal Saturation”?
BB: I don’t think it’s saturated. The places you mentioned are different now to how they were in 1980s. For an independent underground artist like myself there’s still lots of potential in Europe. We return to Latin America in January. I have played in more towns in Brasil than any other international artist. I would be interested in going to Asia at some point in the future. I really think fans there would enjoy my music if they have the chance to see it performed live.
Metal-Roos: As many rising bands are starting their career with covering and of course you came across a cover for one of your songs. Is there a certain cover which is still in your memory?
BB: Over the years I enjoyed performing many classic metal songs. Motorhead Ace of Spades is one of my all time favourites.
Metal-Roos: As I am an Egyptian Metal reviewer and fan, I want to know how do you see the Metal industry now in the Middle East. Are you in contact with Middle Eastern or Australian bands? Or did you get feedback from this region?
BB: In Europe the journalists don’t tell us about Middle Eastern or Australian bands. Hazmat is a really good Australia band. When I’ve been there on tour I’ve seen really good bands that I never heard of before. Hope there are good bands in the Middle East too.
Metal-Roos: Will we see you here soon wither in Middle East or Australia? What are your future plans?
BB: There has been some discussion about some shows there but only in principle, nothing detailed so far. Really hope it works out.
Metal-Roos: What are the most useful pieces of advice that you would like to send to the rising musicians, especially those who are touring for the first time? And send a message to your fans in the Middle East, and Australia?
BB: Be the very best that you can be with your live concert performances and your recordings. It’s tough but you must keep going. To my fans in the Middle East & Australia I say thank you so much for your support and one day before too long I hope I can visit you and meet you all at a free meet & greet which is something I do at all my headline shows.
Interview Date: 2018-10-01
Interviewer: Rana Atef
