Richey Edwards them as executors of his estate and further stating that he died "on or since" 1 February 1995. The ninth album by Manic Street Preachers, "Journal for Plague Lovers", released on 18 May 2009, is composed entirely of songs with lyrics left behind by Edwards. Up until 2005, the remaining members of Manic Street Preachers still paid 25% royalties into an account in his name. Richey Edwards (often referred to during his years with Manic Street Preachers as Richey James) was born and raised in Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales. He has one younger sister, Rachel, who was born in 1969. Edwards
Manic Street Preachers more commercial, grungy sound which served to alienate both fans and the band itself. It was released to mixed reviews but still performed well, reaching number eight in the UK album chart. The album presents a different sound from their debut album, not only in terms of lyrics but in sound, the band privileged long guitar riffs, and the drums themselves feel more present and loud in the final mix of the album. This sound would be abandoned in their next album and as for the nature of the lyrics they also changed, with Edwards and Wire eschewing their political