Getting set to release Ancient Evil, their seventh album, San Diego-based metallers Cage have created a concept record with ex-Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley doing narration. Oddly enough Bayley was the recipient of a Sean Peck fist, backstage at Bang Your Head in 2004. A couple of years ago, Blaze joined Cage onstage to sing 'Man On The Edge'. Now they appear to be old friends, says Peck, "I did not want to do any of the character voices this time, so we got some really great talent to act out the scenes. Blaze did an incredible job. His acting chops were freaking great." He continues, "The writing for this record came together effortlessly even though it was a concept record. It is pretty much just blazing fast the whole way through which is just how I like it!"



The main character, Elliot Worthington, is played by Bayley. Cage are already masters of the concept album. “We had great success with 'Hell Destroyer,' but doing a scary story type of thing and making the songs catchy and memorable while keeping the listener captivated by the content, is a real challenge." 

Ancient Evil, due out on October 30th, has been prefaced by a lyric video for "The Procedure".

"We really love how creepy the video came out, it's like a mini movie almost," explains singer Sean "The Hell Destroyer" Peck. "This song will give people a good idea of what they are in for on this massive, heavy metal, horror story thrill ride!" Rounding out the band are Dave "Conan" Garcia (guitars), Casey "The Sentinel" Trask (guitars), Alex Pickard (bass guitar), and Sean "The Thrash Machine" Elg (drums).

Based on a horror novel written by lead singer Sean Peck, 'Ancient Evil' continues the legacy of Cage as a heavy metal innovator. This nearly 80-minute monstrosity has 19 tracks that combine songs and narrated interludes to forge a unique musical journey that rocks! 

However, according to Sean, making a concept record work is never an easy task - "With this being our 7th release, we wanted to try our hand at another concept album. We had great success with 'Hell Destroyer,' but doing a scary story type of thing and making the songs catchy and memorable while keeping the listener captivated by the content, is a real challenge." 

The story's main character, Elliot Worthington, is played by none other than ex-Iron Maiden frontman Blaze Bayley. "I did not want to do any of the character voices this time, so we got some really great talent to act out the scenes. Blaze did an incredible job. His acting chops were freaking great, I have to say," says Peck. "The writing for this record came together effortlessly even though it was a concept record. It is pretty much just blazing fast the whole way through which is just how I like it!"

Ancient Evil tracklisting:

"There Were Others"
"Ancient Evil"
"Behind The Walls Of Newgate"
"The Procedure"
"The Appetite"
"Cassandra"
"Blinded By Rage"
"Tell Me Everything"
"The Expedition"
"Beholder"
"I Have Awakened"
"Across The Sea Of Madness"
"To Save Love"
"Christ Protect Me"
"Sinister Six"
"Symphony Of Sin"
"The Antidote"
"Tomorrow Never Came"
"It Can't Be"