1254 - Blaze Stare At The Sun 2000

Shortly after leaving Maiden Blaze set out on his own and his debut album is nothing short of brilliant. "Silicon Messiah" is a heavy Power/Thrash affair that doesn't let up from start to finish. The guitars are heavy and precise. There are a few good solos thrown in on some songs as well. The riffs are crunchy and melodic. The guitars are also tuned down to 'D'. "Stare at the Sun" is the epic of the album, and this one manages to rule on every level possible, combining the atmospheric with heavy headbanging riffage in a practically perfect fashion. It starts out slow and soft, practically like a ballad, and then picks up and becomes heavy and powerful.