Lots to respond to here already.
First off, I'll start this off with Fear's two major problems. First, as with No Prayer, what the hell happened to Bruce's voice? Not sure if he wasn't taking care of himself, vocally at the time or what, but these two albums were steps back, especially this one.
Yea, I like the vocals enough on No Prayer but he just sounds awful on this album. It's one area where I do suspect that he wasn't totally into it because it sounds like he's not even really trying on some songs. Then again, the first couple solo albums after Maiden also sound this way, so I think it's more that he was trying something different. The strange thing is he sounds great on the No Prayer tour and parts of the Fear tour. He sings in a more operatic style and is much more consistent than much of the 80s. I don't really understand why he didn't just sing the songs that way on the album.
One slight correction I should make to Mosh´s post is that Maiden´s fandom in South America started a few years before that, when they played their first Rock in Rio, to an estimated audience of 250 thousand people, sandwiched between Whitesnake and Queen. That´s right, during the height of their popularity in the World Slavery Tour, Maiden OPENED for Queen!!!
Of course. Still, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, my impression is that they really flourished in South America during the 90s when the rest of the world was moving away from them. They were touring there for the first time and playing to their biggest crowds.
I also love Childhood's End. I've seen that one panned as well. I don't get it. Nicko's toms take my breath away every time. Love the solo section in that song too.
I enjoy Childhood's End. But there's a very recognisable beat - not really a musician so I don't know the proper term - during the verses that's been repeated time and time again on Maiden albums since Fear of the Dark, reaching its most oft-repeated on A Matter of Life and Death (and it's one of the reasons I've never really got along with that album, unlike 99% of the fan base. Lovely double vinyl picture disc, though, which I finally just got around to acquiring!).
I call it the 3+3+2 rhythm and it has popped up in a few 80s Maiden songs but it really became a regular thing starting on Fear of the Dark. I'm not a huge fan of it either, especially on Fear.
About the artwork: if there had been any drama about it, I wasn't there to live it. Looking back I consider it a fine cover, and certainly superior to the Riggs one - never saw that one, great find Mosh!
I'm not sure if there was drama, but to this day there is a segment of the fanbase who think Riggs needs to be brought back. Yea Maiden's had some missteps with their artwork since the 80s, but bringing Riggs back isn't going to solve anything. Most of his recent Eddie paintings just aren't very good. I will say not using his Futureal artwork was a huge misstep though. His artwork for Flight 666 was also awesome, I suspect they didn't want to pay him for it and that's why it wasn't the cover.
Also, I wouldn't count out Be Quick Or Be Dead being played live again. I could see it being brought back whenever Live At Donington comes out on DVD. They won't do a full tour for it, but it'd be a good song to bring back.
And I bet that Wasting Love is an attempt to capture some of Guns n Rose's audience - remember that they had just risen to fame during that time.
There are a few blatant attempts at appealing to America on this album, Wasting Love being one of them. Steve Harris was very frank about being disappointed in Seventh Son's lack of success in the US.
Fear Of the Dark is by far my least favorite Maiden album. It's the only one I actively dislike. I try to find something to appreciate every time I put it on, but there isn't much on there. I'll quickly give my positives and negatives:
Positives:
Afraid to Shoot Strangers. AWESOME song. The best thing to come out of both albums with this lineup. To me it's proof that much of these two albums is contrived. Steve still had the epic side in him, but for some reason he was holding himself back. One reason the Blaze albums are far superior is that Steve didn't hold back on writing what he wants. You get some of that on Fear too, but it's mixed with songs that are less genuine.
Judas Be My Guide. As I said before, the hidden gem of the album. Love the riffing and it has a fantastic chorus. I'll never understand how this didn't make it on the setlist.
Janick Gers is easily the MVP on this album. He contributes a ton (some good, some bad) and his playing is great. You can tell he has the drive to prove himself as a member of Maiden. I like Wasting Love. Yea it's a blatant attempt at something commercial but if it's a good song I don't care. It's pretty much what I'd expect from a Maiden power ballad, and that's not a bad thing.
As for the negatives:
I already mentioned Bruce's voice.
I'm surprised nobody is talking about the production. It's easily the worst sounding Birch album and probably top 3 worst produced Maiden albums. It's just so thin and lifeless. I do have to vouch for the new vinyl reissue of the album though. It sounds great, songs like Childhood's End and Fugitive have a lot more needed punch. If you want a reevaluation of the album, I suggest giving it a shot. The vinyl reissues are sourced from the 2015 itunes remasters, so maybe the itunes Fear Of the Dark is equally good.
Sorry TAC, but I hate Childhood's End. One of the worst songs. I hate that pummeling beat and the chorus. One of their worst songs.
I'm also actually not a big fan of Be Quick Or Be Dead either. The riff is kinda meh and Bruce sounds annoying.
I don't dislike or like The Apparition. It's a weird track but not horrible.
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