Blaze Bayley, the former Iron Maiden frontman, has revealed he is beginning to gather ideas for a follow-up to his 2024 solo album "Circle Of Stone", though writing is still at an early stage. Speaking to Greece's Altars Of Metal, he explained he deliberately paused after a busy run of albums and touring commitments, preferring to let ideas emerge naturally before committing to a direction, saying the next record "has to feel right" for both himself and his fans.

Bayley described a meticulous approach to sequencing, noting the importance of vinyl-format considerations such as the placement of the third and fifth tracks, and said he and his collaborators are aiming for at least a solid album while hoping for something more transformative. The news comes as Bayley prepares to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 alongside other past and present Iron Maiden members, in a ceremony set for 14 November in Los Angeles; Bayley fronted Maiden between 1994 and 1999, appearing on "The X Factor" and "Virtual XI", and has continued releasing music solo and with Wolfsbane since recovering from a 2023 heart attack and bypass surgery.