I thought I'd do something fun with this. Since I'm a guitarist as some of you know, Maiden were the one band I idolized when it came to playing guitar. A lot of these songs are highlights because of when I was learning them when I was a teen. I thought along with my description also breakdown who plays which solo incase any of you give a fuck.
55. Afraid to Shoot Strangers
A highlight from FOTD. Great lyrics and I love the structure of this one. The Afraid to Shoot Strangers line I thought was a bit corny at first but love the visions it brings to mind now regarding the subject matter. First thing I find interesting with this track is the ever changing key changes in the intro and even in the verses, really interesting. The lead guitar melody is very catchy and interesting that it's not harmonized at all, both guitars playing in unison. Explodes into classic E and the harmony after that section is easily the highlight of the song. One of Maiden's top harmonies. Great song.
Solo 1: Janick
Solo 2: Dave
54. These Colours Don't Run
Pretty run of the mill song here for Maiden with being as simple as they come. Both verse and chorus has the same chord progression in E/C/G/D which is interesting since the contrast between verse and chorus. Not much to say but I love the pre chorus and the chorus is catchy as hell. The groove of the main riff is tasty too. The middle section fits the lyrical theme nicely giving off a real war like vibe. Dave's solo I find a little awkward. There's some weird passing notes in there which gives off a lot of tension so it works. He uses the blues note of the E scale but also adds the Dorian note of C#. Seems to be some Tipton like runs using those notes in an even F# phrygian dominant sequence?! Anyway, Adrian's solo is melodic as hell, in A minor too. Classic Adrian. The melody after that solo is excellent.
Solo1: Dave
Solo2: Adrian
53. Justice of the Peace
Here's an unexpected one. A b-side rocker from TXF. Classic rocker this one. Blaze sounds great. The verses rock but the chorus gives great tension. The intervals in the E major chord gives the impression it's changed from E minor to E major but then the chorus resolves to C# minor. Obviously, the two keys are relative so it makes sense. Next section then moves to F# with a nice F chord in there two giving some tension.
Daves takes the solo which now is in F major! Dave plays more in line with the relative key of D major but has some nice brightness in there. I love the harmoney section after that. This is a really cool, underrated song and always thought it was very different and underrated.
Solo: Dave
52. The Fallen Angel
One of Maiden's heaviest riffs, and Steve's bass here is just absolutely massive. Short underrated rocker this one. Classic E minor in this one and the chorus rips. Love the classic Wasted Years riff in the chorus too. Solos are interesting. Goes from E down one and a half steps to C# for H's solo. Dave's solo goes to an unusual key for him in G# which is a cool. Janick is the real winner here. chords are B/C/D so he's in in B phrygian dominant and rips this solo I might add. He throws the D note in there too which gives it a straight minor flavour at times too and the band lands on D in the chord progression so a few different things can be played here. Great tune and situation nicely in the album too.
Solo1: Adrian
Solo2: Dave
Solo3: Janick
51. Still Life
One of Dave's finest moments. You know it's Dave from the lead intro too which he's made a trademark of numerous times. I mentioned before when the band did Reveltions or 2 Minutes in A. I said it's rare but looking through now, not as rare as I though. This one is in A too. Great dark tone here and loved it on Maiden England too just quietly. Musically it's pretty basic but the harmony before the solos is interesting. I haven't worked out if there's anything going on there different. Adrian takes the solo in A then Dave in E. Great tune.
Solo1: Adrian
Solo2: Dave