In Conversation With The Multi-Faceted ROY Z
by 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 f**kin' 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."

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