Manics' tribute to missing member

The Manics are recording their new album in New York

The Manic Street Preachers have written an emotional tribute to missing guitarist Richey Edwards on their new album.

Called Cardiff Afterlife, the song remembers the musician, who mysteriously disappeared nine years ago.

Speaking to Q magazine, guitarist Nicky Wire described the track as "tender but truthful."

Edwards vanished leaving his Vauxhall Cavalier car parked in a service station near the Severn Bridge.

There has been much speculation about what happened to him.

Band members James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, and Sean Moore, from Blackwood, Gwent, are recording their seventh studio album, Life Blood, in New York with legendary David Bowie producer Tony Visconti.

It is expected to be released on 4 October.

Bassist Wire, 35, told the current issue of Q magazine: "It's (Cardiff Afterlife) a delayed reaction. It just gushed out.

"It's tender but truthful and I'm proud of that."

Edwards' body has never been found. Until now, the band have never used their thoughts about his disappearance into a song.

Cardiff Afterlife reveals their concern about Edwards, who battled alcoholism and anorexia.

He vanished just as the band were due to set off on a tour of America in 1995.

Richey Edwards went missing nine years ago

The mystery of his disappearance has never been solved, but his family who live in Blackwood, near Newport, have never given up hope that he is still alive.

They have flown off to Goa in India and Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands to check out reported sightings.

The band carried on as a trio without Edwards, going on to make hits like Design For Life, Masses Against the Classes, Kevin Carter, Australia, and If You Tolerate This.