Metal Underground.com

Just For Fun

British Actor Brian Blessed Working On Metal Album

Beloved British actor and adventurer Brian Blessed, who appeared in such films as "Flash Gordon," "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace" and "Alexander," announced today that he will be releasing an album of original metal songs. Speaking on the issue, Blessed said:

"I first gained an interest in rock music when Queen did the soundtrack to Flash Gordon. I followed their career from then on and discovered many other bands in rock and heavy metal that I really enjoyed. I appeared on an album called 'Beneath The Failed Embrace' by a British power metal band called Pythia and after talking to the boys in the band and seeing how much fun they were having, I decided that creating my own heavy metal record would be something I would very much like to have a stab at but felt that the idea of a noted actor doing such a thing would be mocked. My mind was changed a few months ago however, when Christopher Lee revealed his metal project, Charlemagne. I definitely have to thank Christopher for making the first move with his record, as it gave me the courage to do the same. My album is entitled 'Scaling The Summit' and raws influence from a number of historical topics, as well as poetry, literature and everyday life."

"Scaling The Summit" is expected to be released sometime in late September and has been described as "Sonata Arctica meets Pantera" by those who have heard the material. The album also boasts a large number of appearances from metal musicians including Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi and Motorhead guiarist Phil Campbell among other names that have yet to be revealed. More unusual news about the album is that not one, but two of Britains most loved comedians will also be contributing to album as stand-up comic, presenter and multi instrumentalist Bill Bailey revealed that he has recorded the guitar and bass tracks for much of the album, while Al Murray, best known for his role as The Pub Landlord handled the drum work on every track.

For those of you not familiar with Brian Blessed, you can check out his infamous appearance as the host of British topical comedy quiz, "Have I Got News For You" below.

Read the full article at this location.