Author Topic: Jirpo's Iron Maiden Top 50 (Read 18741 times)

Jirpo · « **on:** July 17, 2011, 10:04:04 PM »

Iron Maiden is my favourite band, and so the idea of doing a top 50 for them sounded pretty fun to me. I love pretty much everything about them, from their fantastic melodies and interesting lyrics, to the great solos and unique vocals. I will include an album countdown, updating with an album every few days. I'll update 3 songs per day until we get to 20, then 2 songs per day until we get to 10, then 1 song per day. If there is anything you want me to add to make the writeups more interesting, just say it and I will try my best to incorporate it. Anyway, without further ado, here is the first 3

50. Dance of Death
To start off my list, here is one of the more popular reunion era tracks. This song features some of Janick’s best work. The slow, clean intro builds up in tension, with Bruce doing a great job vocally in this part. It then fades off into a nice little guitar lick before the rest of the band joins back in with a nice melody. The songs solo is possibly its best point; one of Janicks best, a fairly lengthy, but always entertaining solo. Janick really feels so free and inspired here. The ending is good, not great, lacking something needed to compete with certain other clean Maiden outros. The lyrics are not very good however, letting the song down quite a bit, and the section from the ending of the intro (about 3:00) to the start of the solo could have been quite a bit better. It was great seeing this one live on tour, probably the best live song from Dance of Death.

49. The Duellists
One of the most underrated Maiden songs, I really wish I could fit this one in higher on the list, but I simply can’t. Usually overshadowed by the heavyweights on Powerslave, I find this song can hold its ground quite effectively. Bruce really delivers on this track, featuring one of his best performances in the Maiden discography, with some fantastic high notes. The chorus is especially great, with a nice vocal melody. However, the best part of this song is the lengthy instrumental section. The lyrics aren’t bad either. This one would work amazing live in my opinion, especially with the crowd singing along in the chorus. All in all, an excellent song that reinforces Powerslave.

48. Brave New World
The title track from Maiden’s first reunion effort is a good one, going on with “Blood Brothers” to become one of their most anthemic tracks of the last decade. A slow, sad guitar tune opens the song, with some great lyrics (“Dying swans, twisted wings, beauty not needed here”). The lyrical brilliance continues throughout the song, (“All is lost, sold your souls, to this brave new world” is one of my favourites). The vocal melody in the chorus is great, with Bruce varying the delivery to stop it from becoming repetitive, something that Blaze didn’t do (for the record, I love Blaze

). The melancholy mood throughout the song aids the lyrics in portraying a dark view of the future. Like the previous two songs, but even more so, this one seems like it would be amazing live, and I really hope I get a chance to see it in the future.

cramx3 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2011, 11:14:26 PM »

Nice to see love for the Dualist. I always thought of the instrumental part to be like dialing guitars to match the dualing sword fighting theme.

MasterShakezula · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:52:04 AM »

Quote from: cramx3 on July 17, 2011, 11:14:26 PM

Nice to see love for the Dualist. I always thought of the instrumental part to be like dialing guitars to match the dualing sword fighting theme.

I'll second that. It's a really jammin tune. Makes me wonder what the fuck Maiden was thinking, not even bothering to play half of that album live.

Gadough · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:58:52 AM »

They've never played The Duelist live? What the hell?

Also, following with interest.

MasterShakezula · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:04:40 AM »

Quote from: Gadough on July 18, 2011, 12:58:52 AM

They've never played The Duelist live? What the hell?

Also, following with interest.

Nope. Not Flash of the Blade, nor Back in the Village, either.

Hell, did you know that the only albums from which they played all the songs are Iron Maiden and AMOLAD? Though they came really close with VIX, playing all of it, except Como Estais.

PowerSlave · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:25:57 AM »

I consider myself a huge IM fan (hence my user name) but, I never got into the Blaze era at all. I'm looking forward to this list and I'll be checking out any of the blaze era songs that come up using your descriptions of the songs as a guide. It will be interesting to see what the list looks like towards the end because I have some fairly strong opinions about the songs that I think are at the top.

Jirpo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:27:51 AM »

Nice to see quite a few followers!

MasterShakezula · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2011, 01:30:15 AM »

Why wouldn't I?

Iron Maiden's only like the first band I ever loved and the second that I acquired the entire discography of.

Mladen · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2011, 02:02:42 AM »

Great ones, keep it coming.

Zantera · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2011, 02:03:29 AM »

Personally I would rank Dance of Death much higher, but three good songs, and I will be following.

Zydar · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2011, 02:03:30 AM »

Great choices!

sneakyblueberry · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:03:07 AM »

Never, ever cared for DoD the song. Love the other picks though!

glaurung · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:23:43 AM »

Dance of Death is one of my favorite Maiden songs, it is far too low.

wolfking · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2011, 05:16:31 AM »

I'd say DOD at 50 is a good place, it doesn't deserve to be any higher IMO. Great to see The Duellists, I would probably have it a little higher in my list, one of Maiden's best instrumenal sections hands down. BNW IMO is far too low, but great songs, look forward to more.

TAC · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2011, 06:23:24 AM »

I've been saying for years that Duellists is one of their most underrated tracks. That instrumental section goes on and on. Stops me dead in my tracks every time.

glaurung · « **Reply #15 on:** July 18, 2011, 08:23:43 AM »

Quote from: wolfking on July 18, 2011, 05:16:31 AM

I'd say DOD at 50 is a good place, it doesn't deserve to be any higher IMO.

It would probably be in my top 10. Fantastic song.

yorost · « **Reply #16 on:** July 18, 2011, 08:38:17 AM »

I do not find Dance of Death to be good. The sonics are ok, but I find the lyrics awful to the point of annoying. Don't tell me Maiden isn't known for lyrics, I know that. I'm usually the person that is oblivious to lyrics being good or bad, so when they bug me I assume they're really bad.

The Duellists is one of the only songs on Powerslave I like anymore, nice pick. If you don't have anything else but Rime of the Ancient Mariner on here I'll be happy.

...like that'll happen.

Jirpo · « **Reply #17 on:** July 18, 2011, 09:15:24 AM »

Prepare to be disappointed Yorost

yorost · « **Reply #18 on:** July 18, 2011, 09:18:07 AM »

Aye, I was prepared before you started! I'll let you have a pass if you have at least 5 each from the Di'Anno and Blaze material.

sneakyblueberry · « **Reply #19 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:02:36 PM »

Jirpo seems to be on the 'BALZE BAYLEY RULES OK' side of the camp, so I'd bet money on there being at least 5 from the Blaze era. And yeah, DoD feels waaay to much like Stonehenge by Spinal Tap to be cool

I know that its been said heaps before but thats because its true.

jjrock88 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 18, 2011, 04:09:52 PM »

good choices; personally would have BNW higher. Will follow with interest.

Jirpo · « **Reply #21 on:** July 18, 2011, 09:58:21 PM »

47. Look for the Truth
Here is my first Blaze song, and a very underrated song from The X Factor. There’s simply nothing bad about this track. The soft opening continues the dark tone set by the rest of the album, before giving way to the “Oooh-o-ohh, ooh-oohh-o-ooohh”. I love the melody Blaze sings in that part. The lyrics in this song are pretty good too. Not too much else to say about this one, except that I always look forward to listening to it when listening to The X Factor. A great, fun little song.

46. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
To continue with the string of title tracks, the title track from the last “golden era” album really manages to create an epic feeling through the cold, powerful guitars and Bruce’s strong, echoing vocals. The verses for some reason give me a sense of “order and discipline” (no idea how to describe it but that was the closest I could come up with

). The “oooohhhs” before the chorus really add to the epic feeling, and the chorus itself, although repetitive lyrically, never seems to get old. The clean instrumental section is great and adds to the effect. The spoken words are really powerful and often send chills down my spine. This song would be a bit higher if it was 2-3 minutes longer and had another verse and chorus at the end. No idea why it ended up so low on the list, I guess I just don't like the guitar and vocal melodies as much as 45 other Maiden songs

45. The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
This song is a perfect example of modern day Maiden. A slow, haunting intro, followed by a crushing riff before launching into some more verses and an epic chorus. It took a long while to grow on me - when I first heard it I wasn’t a huge fan (I didn’t hate it, it just didn’t do much for me). These days, I love pretty much everything about it – the chorus and Bruce’s amazing vocals, the soloing, and the fantastic guitar melody in the instrumental section. I found the lyrical topic quite unique and interesting, especially after I found out a bit about Benjamin Breeg. A top-notch song from one of Maiden’s best albums.

Mladen · « **Reply #22 on:** July 19, 2011, 01:52:07 AM »

Two incredible songs, and one of my two lesser favorites from The X Factor - still a good one, though.

MasterShakezula · « **Reply #23 on:** July 19, 2011, 02:04:04 AM »

Well, Ben B. is among the songs post-92 that I feel really stands up to the classics.

I absolutely love 7th Son.

Look for the truth is a good rocker with great lyrics.
I must say, aside from BNW, X-Factor is my favorite post-92 Maiden album, and lyrically, it's quite possibly their very strongest.

Gadough · « **Reply #24 on:** July 19, 2011, 03:25:26 AM »

Seventh Son this low? The hell? I respectfully disagree with you about its length - it doesn't need to be longer. It's perfect the way it is. A top 5 Maiden song for me.

Oh well. Your list, not mine.

Zantera · « **Reply #25 on:** July 19, 2011, 03:27:45 AM »

Quote from: Mladen on July 19, 2011, 01:52:07 AM

Two incredible songs, and one of my two lesser favorites from The X Factor - still a good one, though.

This pretty much.

Jirpo · « **Reply #26 on:** July 19, 2011, 04:09:09 AM »

Quote from: Gadough on July 19, 2011, 03:25:26 AM

Seventh Son this low? The hell? I respectfully disagree with you about its length - it doesn't need to be longer. It's perfect the way it is. A top 5 Maiden song for me.

Oh well. Your list, not mine.

Yeah, I know most people would probably have it a bit higher

wolfking · « **Reply #27 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:24:45 AM »

3 more winners. LFTT is a fantastic very underrated track, and if I could add the excellent solo section.

Jirpo · « **Reply #28 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:27:44 AM »

Quote from: wolfking on July 19, 2011, 06:24:45 AM

3 more winners. LFTT is a fantastic very underrated track, and if I could add the excellent solo section.

Yep, forgot to mention that part

PowerSlave · « **Reply #29 on:** July 19, 2011, 10:51:52 AM »

Quote from: Gadough on July 19, 2011, 03:25:26 AM

Seventh Son this low? The hell? I respectfully disagree with you about its length - it doesn't need to be longer. It's perfect the way it is. A top 5 Maiden song for me.

Oh well. Your list, not mine.

It's interesting to see how we all disagree on some of these songs. I'm not a big fan of that song and can think of some stuff from that album that's much better in my opinion. Infinite Dreams, Only the Good Die Young and The Evil That Men Do are better songs for me.

Jirpo · « **Reply #30 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:29:57 PM »

44. The Evil That Men Do
A live staple, and for good reason, this is one of many great songs from Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. The guitar intro is great, and the vocal melodies here are top notch, with some great vocals by Bruce, particularly in the chorus. The vocals are really what makes the song for me, as Bruce changes between a rasp in the verses and his usual operatic style in the chorus. It was a real treat seeing this one live, one of my favourite songs from the performance, which ensured it a spot in the top 50

43. Flash of the Blade
Another underrated song from Powerslave! This song is an awesome little rocker. The opening riff is great, and the chorus IMO is a blueprint for power metal choruses, with a very catchy vocal melody and fantasy/sword fighting inspired lyrics. A real shame they never played this one live either, I think it would be a great live song. The solo section is great, with some cool guitar leads. Overall, a fun, catchy song from Powerslave that in no way should be considered filler.

42. The Prisoner
To finish off an update full of rockers, here is a classic one from The Number of the Beast. Everything about this song is great! It always has me playing air guitar, air drums or singing along. Great performance by Clive, riffs are awesome and Bruce does a great job too. The chorus, like the previous two, features a great vocal melody, but I like this one more than the others. A good solo by H and then the song wraps itself up with the chorus. A classic song and one of the best from The Number of the Beast.

Sorry about the fairly short writeups, these songs are all pretty short and I can't find too much to say about them

yorost · « **Reply #31 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:38:29 PM »

Flash of the Blade? Sweet Jesus there must be a lot of Powerslave in this list.

The Evil That Men Do is a great track, could be higher on my list I think.

The King in Crimson · « **Reply #32 on:** July 19, 2011, 09:53:53 PM »

Flash of the Blade is great, glad to see it get some love.

And yeah to The Prisoner!

cramx3 · « **Reply #33 on:** July 19, 2011, 11:18:21 PM »

The evil that men do is between 5-10 for me. One of the songs that got me to fall in love with the band.

Mladen · « **Reply #34 on:** July 20, 2011, 01:12:29 AM »

Great songs.

News: Welcome back, Mike Portnoy!

Author Topic: Jirpo's Iron Maiden Top 50 (Read 18741 times)