Introduction
Welcome to the Iron Maiden discography! I am looking forward to this. It will be especially interesting since this is a DT board and there will probably be extra appreciation toward Maiden’s proggy side. We will look at all the studio albums, the live albums, and some compilations. Also, since Maiden is one of those bands best experienced live, I will try to include some live clips from every era. Luckily a lot of the stuff is officially documented, but some tours have not received official releases. Anyway, before we get to the first album, a brief history and some pre-debut releases:
The History of Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden was officially formed in 1975 after Steve Harris’ former band, Smiler, refused to play his songs. Apparently they found the music too difficult. Maiden has the reputation now as a band with pretty stable lineups, but this wasn’t the case initially. Maiden went through a ton of lineup changes early on. Some members only lasted a few days. Even Dave Murray, who joined fairly early, found himself out of the band at one point before rejoining. At one point, the band even experimented with a keyboard player rather than a second guitarist. Eventually, the lineup settled with Steve Harris, Dave Sampson (a drummer from Smiler), Dave Murray, and singer Paul Di’Anno.
The band initially gained notoriety with their live shows, which were highly energetic and theatrical even back then. They started to really leave a mark when their demo tape gained popularity at a local Heavy Metal club. Which brings us to. . .
The Soundhouse Tapes (1979)
Paul Di’Anno - Vocals
Dave Murray - Lead Guitar
Steve Harris - Bass
Doug Sampson - Drums
Aside from being the first Maiden release, there are some other things that make the demo special. For starters, it is the only recording to feature drummer Doug Sampson. Dave Murray is also the only credited guitarist, making it the only Maiden recording with one guitarist (although some other guitarists have claimed to be on the recording). The result is a sound even more raw than the debut album. The demo also contains a tune that never made it on any album: Invasion.
Soundhouse Tapes is worth hearing. Most fans would probably be fine never hearing the song Iron Maiden again, but it’s actually really interesting to hear it in an earlier stage. The songs here are a little slower, a little more groovy, but the raw energy is still there. Invasion was later rerecorded for a b-side, but this version is still interesting.
Not long after recording The Soundhouse Tapes, the band were signed to EMI and finally found a second guitarist: Dennis Stratton. Doug Sampson also departed shortly after and was replaced by Clive Burr. Finally, the lineup for the first album was complete.
Metal For Muthas (1980)
Paul Di’Anno - Vocals
Dave Murray - Lead Guitar
Dennis Stratton - Lead Guitar
Steve Harris - Bass
Clive Burr - Drums
This is a compilation of various New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) bands but it was arguably meant to promote maiden (they are the only band with more than one song on the LP). It didn’t make a huge impact, but it gave Maiden some widespread promotion and showed that they were a band with major potential. The two Maiden songs are Sanctuary and Wrathchild (interestingly neither of these songs appeared on the debut later that year). Frankly these songs are pretty inferior to the later recordings. Wrathchild is slower and lacks energy. Sanctuary isn’t that much different from the single version, but the production isn’t as good. Still worth hearing for historic context and some of the songs by the other bands are actually pretty cool. I highly recommend Captured City by Praying Mantis.
Live!! + One (1980)
Paul Di’Anno - Vocals
Dave Murray - Lead Guitar
Dennis Stratton - Lead Guitar
Steve Harris - Bass
Clive Burr - Drums
This is a Japanese only release that contains some of Maiden’s earliest officially released live recordings. It was recorded in London the summer before the release of the debut album. The “+ One” refers to Women In Uniform, a Skyhooks cover that was later released a single.
There are two versions of this release. The first is the original Japanese release that features four songs. Both songs on side two are available elsewhere (Drifter was a b-side to Sanctuary). There was also a Greek version released a few years later with more songs from other gigs, however all the extra songs are found on the Maiden Japan EP and the Sanctuary single.
Still worth checking out for the two tracks on Side A. Never too many versions of Phantom and Sanctuary is a great live track. The live version of Drifter is also cool if you’ve never heard it. Really nice recording quality too.
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This is a pretty condensed account of Maiden’s pre-1980 history. If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend the Early Days DVD. Not only does it feature 4 vintage concert recordings, but it also has a really in depth documentary that largely focuses on the early history. Lots of interesting stories and some funny moments, as there were some colorful characters in the band early on.
There is also a live video recording from this era. Live At the Ruskin Arms 1980. This was a performance to celebrate the release of the new album. I believe it was a charity gig and was meant to be a thank you to the fans who had attended their many club gigs.
This video is essential. If you only check out one thing discussed, this is the one. The quality isn’t great but it’s a really energetic performance and features a couple tunes that aren’t played often. A great piece of early Maiden history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bj3itGFGRUThere’s also this TV special that gives a look at the NWOBHM scene of the late 70s/early 80s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B83I0u0-7lkStay tuned for the debut album on Friday!