BLAZE BAYLEY's drummer Lawrence "Larry" Paterson, has issued the following studio update:

"And so began week two of the writing and arranging sessions here in our secret location; the Blaze Bayley equivalent of the Bat Cave. In order to foil the evil genius of the prowling chickens, Blaze and the guys arrived in the dead of night and were able to load in unhampered this time by the ferocious attention suffered during the previous week. In other words….they were running slightly late and we only had time to get set up and ready, with a brief run through of a couple of ideas before Monday ground to a halt.

Alas the Jaymeister was waylaid once more and Blaze, Nico, Dave and myself prepared to once more rip into the new material. Debbie's Red Cross parcel had increased dramatically in size this time…and we were pretty much stocked up and ready to go.

Stumpy (The Cat) was of course overjoyed at the return of his favourite sitting areas, though alas it appeared that he had grown fickle and Dave was no longer the preferred seat.

However, the inner workings of Stumpy's mind remain a curiosity as although he seems quite happy to nest on Blaze or Nico he appeared to have become slightly agitated when he found Nico asleep on the sofa in the early hours of the morning instead of Dave. Apparently unhappy at this turn of events he expressed himself in no uncertain terms and Nico was awoken by the peculiar sensation of a warm puddle appearing and seeping through the duvet into his clothes…

Nevertheless, once again the writing went very, very smoothly and as well as existing ideas, several completely new tracks were hatched that have given the album a whole new depth and scope. Blaze and I have decided to monitor closely every time Nico starts playing at the beginning of the day, because his tuning routine normally ends up as the backbone of a new song.

They are long days that we're working….and of course there is often the necessary warm down routine that sometimes involves moderate lubrication via a touch of the grape or ale. One such late night 'debriefing' ended in the bizarre spectacle of Blaze and Nico jamming on guitar and drums respectively. Suffice to say….that track won't be on the album…

Finally, today – Thursday 17 January – the final song has been completed and arranged. Now the truly hard work of rehearsing and polishing will follow before the scheduled beginning of recording in February. The album has a definite shape and theme and a very cool diversity of tracks that will really push this band forward. I can honestly say I have never been this stoked about an album that I have been involved with before!

Today Blaze and I also moseyed over to our landlord and landlady's house to say thanks for being so cool and actually giving total approval for this motley collection of metalheads to keep riffing late into the night. While we were enjoying a brief champagne lunch (as you do), Dave became curious as to where we had disappeared to, and made the fatal mistake of venturing out into the front yard….without any peanuts to satisfy the voracious appetites of our chicken army. Apparently the look of alarm on his face was a sight to behold as he was suddenly aware of the thunder of stampeding chickens all racing toward him eager for their customary breakfast. Fortunately Dave was faster and his inglorious retreat saved him as he ran for sanctuary behind close doors.

And so Friday begins the polishing phase which will result in smoother demos and guides for use in the studio. Yes boys and girls, we are nearly there…and it is going to be worth the wait.

More news to follow. Until then….Stay Metal!"

(Thanks Maidenfans.com)