Roy Z Speaks about New Bruce Album and Maiden
Bravewords was able to secure this exclusive Roy Z interview, where he speaks about the forthcoming Bruce album, expected to be released in early May.BW&BK EXCLUSIVE - In Conversation With The Multi-Faceted Roy Z [Hot Flashes - 05.03.05 17:14:51]
Special report by "Metal" Tim Henderson
BW&BK recently conducted an EXCLUSIVE conversation with guitarist/producer Roy Z about a number of topics including the new JUDAS PRIEST record (Angel Of Retribution - which he produced with the band), the forthcoming BRUCE DICKINSON solo effort (which he produced/co-wrote/performed on) and his ultimate passion project, the TRIBE OF GYPSIES and the ongoing search for a new singer. In our first interview segment, BW&BK speaks to Z about the highly-anticipated solo effort from IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson, due out "sometime" this year via Sanctuary.
"We just finished up Bruce's new album and I can tell ya it fuckin' smokes. It's right there man," Z gushes about the long, long, long-awaited followup to 1998's The Chemical Wedding. Actually, the last time we heard fresh Bruce solo material was on the the double-CD Best Of issued in 2001 which featured two blinding new tracks: 'Broken' and 'Silver Wings'.
"All I can tell you is that it's everything people expect and more because the album just smokes. It's on fire. It has a lot of raw energy, power and great storytelling. Bruce is a great storyteller."
Some fans are more keen on Dickinson's solo material than Maiden's recent output (2003's Dance Of Death in particular).
"We don't think like that," he counters. "We think about, 'Wow, these are good songs, that's killer.' There's some crushing stuff, but there is some real emotional stuff as well. Bruce has never sound better in my mind."
Z's role, once again was a mishmash of writer, producer, guitarist. Who wrote the material?
"It's never one-way," Z says. "Obviously Bruce is a very accomplished songwriter, but this time we collaborated right down the line. To be honest with you, it's going to be a record that people are going to talk about for a while. It's serious. I don't know when it's gonna come out, but it's good man. I really enjoy the record a lot and the songs are really strong."
Z says that record is done, song titles, album title and all - and of course, it's all hush-hush at this point. BW&BK sources say that the record is currently being mastered.
"From my end it's done," he reveals as all Maiden fans stand and take notice. "It's been getting some touch-ups here and there, but it's done."
Anybody working with you on it?
"Yeah, I brought in Stan (Katayama) - he's always on the Bruce records and he worked with me on the Priest. I brought Stan in to help me mix the Priest record, 'cause I was tired man. He was in England with me for about a month."
As for his relationship with the revered singer, Z says that "Bruce is like my big brother. That's how I look at it, he's my big brother. I look up to him in different aspects. I love him and I love his family. That's it man. To work with him it's like cutting butter. It's nothin' - it's not even work."
Any thought of you working with Maiden?
"You know what man, I don't know. And that's the kind of subject where I go (makes a raspberry-like noise)."
Let me rephrase that - would you like to work with Maiden?
"At this point I don't know if it's a good idea. I think now, working with Priest, I like to stay with one in each genre. You know what I mean? It's hard to not work with Rob (Halford) and with Bruce, 'cause they are the top singers in their style. I'm trying to keep it one in each style. Now that I've worked for Priest - I'm not saying I'll never work with anybody, I'm just saying it's harder to be doing those. To work on those mammoth records like that it takes a lot out of me."
And besides, bassist/founder Steve Harris guides the Maiden ship in the studio.
"I think he's doing a great job and personally, I don't even think I'd want to get in there because I think what they are doing is great. They don't need me."
Next up, Z takes us into the inner-workings of Priest's newie Angel Of Retribution. Watch for a major feature on Roy Z in BW&BK #88, due out in April.
Source: Bravewords
7 Comments
Highlights are from me. These are the most important points of the interview.
Cheers
Cool 
Can't wait. Mr Z is brilliant
as long as he keeps away from Maiden's console, I'm fine
QUOTE(gor @ Mar 7 2005, 07:49 AM)
as long as he keeps away from Maiden's console, I'm fine
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True. His production was brilliant for the latest Bruce solo albums, but I don't think it would work for Maiden. It's better to keep both things (Bruce solo stuff and Maiden) separated.
I cant wait for his new album, this is killing me!
That`s for sure...