Tag: iron maiden (Page 1 of 2)

I remember buying this back in the day and was somewhat disappointed. I love the first two albums, with that raw energy, but by the time this album came out all that raw energy and power had been replaced by a much more slicker sound. This is a 2014 remaster and they don’t even sound like a metal band to my ears, as it’s been polished so  much.

They were always good at doing a single and 2 Minutes To Midnight is the big one on this album, although that main riff was lifted from another NWOBHM outfit. (Bonus points for guessing who and what song.) I’m a sucker for a big sprawling centrepiece track and Rime Of The Ancient Mariner is my favourite tune on the record. Steve Harris is a genius at coming up with these type of tunes and I guess that’s comes from his love of old school Prog. In fact, maybe this should be classed as a Prog album instead of metal as it has much more in common with the Prog handle.

Do I like it anymore than when I first heard it? Well, yes I do and that’s because I accept it more as what it is than what I wanted it to be.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Think if you will, that if Paul Di’anno hadn’t been asked to leave Iron Maiden and he was still in the band today, what would they sound like? Interesting thought eh? Well, I think they would have probably killed him as he isn’t the easiest of guys to be around apparently, but musically I often wonder if they would be different.

I actually love the first two albums, and I don’t care too much for modern Maiden.  I know probably not many people agree with this, but for me this is the last great Maiden album. I love the energy, attitude, and the raw sound of this album. Not a bad moment on the album, and this is a bonafide classic in every sense.

The Ides Of March intro that bursts into the awesome Wrathchild. I remember buying the single as well. We are lulled into a false sense of security with the delicate intro to Murders In The Rue Morgue, before that superb riff and groove kick in. I love how the guitar and bass follow the vocal in the chorus. A killer busy intro to Another Life, and it’s hard to believe it, but no one else was playing like this at the time. I love the time and groove change in the middle – it’s very punky. The superb instrumental, Genghis Khan, is up next and what metal band was doing that at the time? The side closes out with Innocent Exile which is my favourite Maiden track ever! I love the riff, key changes, Paul’s vocals, and the epic middle section. They have forgotten how to write grooves like this.

The epic title track opens up Side 2, and we are off to the trademark Maiden gallop. Twilight Zone is up next and was another single – it was quite a straight forward riff and groove for Maiden compared to everything else they were writing at the time. Prodigal Son follows, and I’m guessing this was a big influence on Dream Theater, and also Steve Harris’ is a big Prog fan.  The super busy riff of Prodigal Son is classic old school Maiden, and I love the middle section. The awesomeness that is Drifter closes out the album, and with the end of old Maiden.

A sure fire 10/10 from The Grooveman.

Confession time! This is the only Iron Maiden album I own with Bruce Dickinson on vocals. I loved the first two Maiden albums with Dianno on vocals as they were new and had that hard punky edge to them. Funnily enough, I don’t mind Bruce’s solo material though.

This was recorded on the Powerslave tour and Bruce was three albums in to his Maiden career, so there were still quite a lot of Dianno era tunes aired at this point. For someone like me, this a perfect album to buy as it’s an almost best of. Recorded part in London and part in LA, the band were really a tight unit and certainly on fire. My favourite tracks here are the older tracks Obvious and Phantom Of The Opera. I think the two guitar set up works better than the three they have now.

If you’re a Maiden fan you will all ready have this, if not and you want an introduction to the band, then it’s not a bad place to start.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.