Former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley recently revealed his favorite Metallica songs and explained how certain metal tracks help him cope with depression. He shared his thoughts during an interview on The Smashing Skull Sessions.
When asked about his favorite Metallica songs, Bayley expressed the difficulty of the question before naming his top choices.
“That’s such a difficult question. I really wish you hadn’t asked that. It’s gotta be ‘Ride The Lightning’ and ‘Master Of Puppets’. I’m stuck on [those two]. I like ’72 Seasons’ and ‘…[And] Justice For All’, but it’s gotta be [sings ‘Master Of Puppets’ title track],” Bayley said.
The vocalist then explained how these songs serve a therapeutic purpose in his life, particularly during challenging mental health periods.
“It’s one of those… I’m interested in brain function. I suffer with depression sometimes, bouts of depression, and I’m interested in brain function and what you can do to help yourself when you’re in a funk and sometimes when you’re in the real darkness. And one of the things I found from a doctor was if you have a song that makes you start tapping your foot, nodding your head, put that in your head, get it in your head, get it in your head. Start moving, start dancing, start moving, and this is something to help you get out of that funk. Start doing it,” he continued.
Bayley also mentioned another song that has a similar effect on him.
“And I think that’s one of those songs for me. Yeah, ‘Master Of Puppets’ and possibly ‘Raining Blood’ as well [from] Slayer. I mean, they’re old, old songs, though. I’m such a dinosaur when it gets to that. But I think it doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s what you get into first. You don’t how old the album is or whatever. But that’s it. Yeah, that’s a horrible question, because there’s so many,” he said.
Bayley’s openness about mental health struggles reflects his journey through one of metal’s most challenging career transitions. The singer has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his musical career, particularly during his time with Iron Maiden.
Louder Sound reported that Bayley spent five years as Iron Maiden’s lead singer from 1994 to 1999. He recorded two studio albums (The X Factor and Virtual XI) before being dismissed due to vocal difficulties from extensive touring. This period marked a significant challenge in his career, as he had to step into the shoes of Bruce Dickinson during a time when the band faced considerable scrutiny from fans and critics.
Despite the setbacks, his official biography revealed that Bayley embarked on a solo career after leaving Iron Maiden. During this period, he has released ten full-length studio albums, plus live albums, live DVDs and other releases. His persistence in the face of adversity demonstrates the same mental fortitude he describes when discussing his coping mechanisms with depression.
Vinyl Writer Music described Bayley as a “Metal lifer” who has maintained his position as the longtime frontman of Wolfsbane. He also served as Iron Maiden’s frontman during their highly underrated 90s period. Born May 29, 1963, his career has spanned decades, showcasing his dedication to the metal genre despite facing numerous professional challenges.
The singer’s approach to using music as therapy aligns with his broader philosophy about perseverance in the metal industry. His ability to find solace in classic tracks like “Master Of Puppets” and “Raining Blood” speaks to the enduring power of heavy metal music as both an artistic expression and a source of personal strength during difficult times.
