So inspired by this thread I thought I’d listen to all the albums in order and share something of my thoughts. The principle thing that stands out for me on re-listening is just how original and different this band were. You can’t describe their music by saying “oh, they sound a bit like….” because there’s nothing before or since that they even sound a little bit like. They sound like Iron Maiden, no one else, and that is the source of their genius.
Full disclosure – I’ve loved Maiden since I was at school. They were the first metal band I’d heard, the first band I loved, and the band that got be into being a music fan. I’m biased, I love this band. Anyway, lets take a time machine back to 1980…
Iron Maiden. What a debut, this sounded like nothing else at the time and must have blown people away on hearing it, unique and totally original. It’s got all the attitude of punk, but it’s metal. Prowler is the perfect opener, laying all it’s cards on the table despite some dodgy lyrics. Remember Tomorrow brings the melodic sensibilities, and Phantom of the Opera is like nothing else on Earth, a metal gallop through proggy time signatures and key changes. No one listening to this in 1980 had ever heard anything quite like it. The final track is the perfect closer, pulling together the various sounds of the album into one simple signature tune, Iron Maiden’s gonna get ya! Only weak spot for me is Charlotte the Harlot, something that I imagine worked well live but is a bit of a slog on the recorded version. What amazes me most about this album is what a great band this was, Di’Anno is a great singer, Den Stratton a great guitarist. I wish there was more of this line-up, as listening to this album always leaves me hungry to hear what they would record next.
Killers. Enter Adrian Smith and that big Martin Birch production. Maiden gained a lot here, but they also lost something of the rawness of the first album. This is the first album that sounds like Maiden, but let’s be honest, the songs aren’t there. I’ve never really connected with this album. The mixing seems to smooth off the raw edges of Di’Anno’s voice, which isn’t a good thing. Songs like Innocent Exile and Another Life are so forgettable you forget what they sound like while you’re listening to them. Oddest of all is Prodigal Son, where Maiden break out the acoustic guitars and play something folky that could be early Rush or Jethro Tull, it’s a fascinating insight into a road not travelled.
The Number of The Beast. Well, if there were doubts on the last album about the singer’s voice not really suiting the material, they’re blown out of the water here. Dickinson’s debut is stunning, not only probably the best Maiden album, but one of the best albums of all time in any genre. It thumps you in the gut from first to last and every song is a killer. Invaders always struck me as a strange choice for opener, but it isn’t, it really works, and is a superb appetiser for Children of the Damned, which really shows off what the band’s new air-raid siren of a vocalist could do. But the real meat is on side two, the title track, with it’s spoken word intro, and the all time classic Run to the Hills. Gangland isn’t bad, despite it’s reputation, but it’s the weakest song here by far. Clive Burr’s drumming is on point throughout, it’s never been clear why they sacked him, I’ve always assumed it was to make room for his replacement. Hallowed Be Thy Name gives the band their best song so far, their Stairway to Heaven or Freebird. Can you think of any other band that could have recorded this? Thought not.
Piece of Mind. I always dismiss this album as it’s sandwiched between the previous album, possibly the band’s best, and the next, one of my faves. But I’m doing it a disservice, as every time I listen to it I’m reminded just how good it is. Where Eagles Dare is all about the drums, Nicko McBrain making it clear from the start why he is one of the world’s best drummers. Revalations has more than a touch of Rush about it, Flight of Icarus has those multi-tracked vocals that make it clear the band are chasing US radio play. The Trooper is amazing, of course. Both Still Life and Sun and Steel are great songs, but often overlooked as Quest for Fire is so bad it drags the neighbouring songs down with it. To Tame A Land is… well, I could write an entire book about this one. Brilliant, utterly unique, utterly original, mental, insane, there’s bits of Yes and Zappa in there, and it’s the point at which Steve Harris throws away the rule book. He’d written great songs before, but everything he’s written since owes it’s creation to this. An utter masterpiece. It’s also complete garbage, of course, with cringeworthy lyrics. That’s how you can tell something is genius, it manages to be brilliant and awful at the same time.
Powerslave. The first thing that hits you about this is the fact that it doesn’t actually start with Churchill’s Speech, like I’d assumed, it just goes straight into Aces High. The second thing is the mix, wide and expansive, that big 80s rock sound, all high-end and not enough bass. The drums in particular sound tinny, and a little lower in the mix. But the music! This one and Seventh Son have always flip-flopped for my favourite Maiden album. Two Minutes to Midnight is insanely good, Losfa Words is rocking good fun, Flash of the Blade sounds like a single that never was and would fit in well on the next album. Back In the Village is my favourite song on the album, at the time I’d never heard anything so fast, so precise, so metal. What is wrong with people who don’t like this one? The album ends with two undisputed classics, Powerslave, with its monster driving riff and Bruce switching effortlessly between menacing growl and operatic scream, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner, yet another classic that only Maiden could have produced. Silly, bombastic, theatrical, pantomimic and over-the-top? You bet!
What is most amazing about these albums is the fact that in 5 short years they go from being a pub band in the east end of London to selling out arenas around the world, and the quite remarkable development of their music in that time. And back then they did it the hard way, endless touring, word of mouth, and no radio play. Part two to follow…
Topic: The Iron Maiden Thread v. The Merge of Souls (Read 572735 times)
