Iron Maiden ~ England

Somewhere in Time (1986)

As noted often here, I was a big fan of Iron Maiden real time, so all of their albums from the 80s have a special place in my heart. I bought this LP when it came out in my senior year of college, and I saw them live in January of '87 in Lubbock. I found the ticket stub the other day. Considering that Powerslave was burned deep into my DNA, any album coming after that would be tough to absorb. But Somewhere in Time is a great follow up. RYM has it as their 4th highest rated behind their two recognized masterpieces: Powerslave and Number of the Beast. Seventh Son gets the 3rd spot, but I would beg to differ. I'd probably place the debut and Piece of Mind higher myself, but we're splitting hairs at this point. Generally I read that Somewhere in Time is where they embraced synthesizers. I suppose so... but Iron Maiden were always proggers at heart, something I find myself repeating often in these pages. Somewhere in Time is the first Maiden album that I didn't listen to incessantly upon release, as I was very heavy into the 70s European underground by this point in my life. Which, in a way is good, as I can still experience musical discoveries here. The Sanctuary CD that offers bonus videos. I should actually watch those someday.

Ownership: 1986 Capitol (LP); Sanctuary (CD). With video.

1986 (first acquired); 1//06; 8/17/15; 10/23/24 (review)

Senjutsu (2021)

It's nigh impossible to limit the superlatives when talking Iron Maiden. There's really no precedent of a band who has remained true to their sound for 41+ years and continues to evolve and grow in a positive manner. These guys are well into their 60s now, and every album they release is as if they were still in the middle 1980s pushing the boundaries of what heavy metal can potentially be. Most groups with the stature of Iron Maiden would go onto to release a perfunctory new album with ten forgettable three to four minute run throughs, then hit the road, and play all the fan favorites from 35 years ago. Not Iron Maiden. How about a triple album with 10 minute plus involved tracks with fun light reading names such as 'Death of the Celts' and 'The Parchment'? And they're so spoiled they have everybody do things for them. Ya know, like singer Bruce Dickinson flying their own 747 around the globe. Who does these things? Whatever the question or challenge, Iron Maiden wins. And yet on forums such as RYM, Iron Maiden is put through the ringer by those much younger with zero perspective. Yes, of course Iron Maiden were never the heaviest - or fastest - or most complex band ever. They are just simply the best at what they did (and do). They are legends in their own time, and that will only grow as the centuries roll on.

As for their 17th album Senjutsu, Iron Maiden continues to bring it. This isn't easy listening metal. And no there isn't anything particularly catchy about it. No different than the prog albums we adore and champion. Iron Maiden is not the latter, but is clearly influenced by the genre, and they make no bones about it either. 82 minutes is a lot to absorb, but if in a patient mood, the listener is rewarded (i.e. I've had this album sitting in the new arrivals box for over six months and just now getting to it). These are albums that are designed to outlive the band. 50 years from now, new serious young minds will want to go beyond whatever is their pop du jour, and tackle something more challenging. Iron Maiden will be one of the early bands they will learn about. On my first listen to the album, I played the first two LPs, and then flipped the 3rd one back and forth for three listens each. Not that I liked it any more than the prior material, it just seemed like a good way to appreciate the album. Honestly I couldn't tell you too much about their Version 3.0 albums starting with Brave New World (2000). This era of the band has far outlasted any other, and all their albums are consistently great. I know their 80s work far better, because I grew up with them - listened to the albums constantly - saw them live a few times - even played soccer with them. They were a huge part of my high school and college years. A soundtrack perhaps. My life post-2000 has been completely different, so I don't relate to Iron Maiden's new music in the same way. But what I do know is that every revisit will seem like I'm hearing a brand new excellent album by Iron Maiden. And that's the exciting part of music such as this.

Ownership: 2021 BMG (3xLP). Triple gatefold. Red and black marble vinyl.

9/4/22 (review)

Iron Maiden (1980)

Iron Maiden's debut actually predicts their future better than the followup, Killers. 'Remember Tomorrow', 'Transylvania', 'Iron Maiden', and especially 'Phantom of the Opera' are overtly proggy, while 'Strange World' is a fine ballad. The opening 'Prowler' has a strange psychedelic aura about it, though with Di'Anno singing, you're always closer to punk than psych. One track that I've always had near the top - but is widely panned by fans - is 'Charlotte the Harlot'. Despite the rather dumb subject matter, the track features some nice mood changes, and the blistering dual guitar solos coming out of the last break, are some the most pointed and fierce of their entire career. The US version adds 'Sanctuary', a mid-level song that foreshadows Killers. The only track I can do without is 'Running Free'. Iron Maiden are huge English soccer fans, and they had a tendency to slip in a "football styled" anthem every once in awhile, similar to Judas Priest in that way.

Anyway, brilliant album. You already knew that... presumably.

This came out when I was 15, so it's likely my mom took me to the record shop to buy (and it is this exact copy). Just makes me laugh when I think about it. Incidentally, she's still alive and kicking strong. 81 and as feisty as ever. Lives independently in an apartment about 10 minutes from our home here in Colorado. She'd lived in Texas for 51 years straight, so it was quite a change for her. I remind her that she's responsible for my dementia in music. We just crack up. If Mom had it her way, I'd be singing church hymns instead. On another side note, the cover of Eddie here looked like one of our neighbors back in Texas. I digress... 

Ownership: 1980 Harvest (LP); 1988 Capitol (CD); 198? (MC)

1980 (first acquired); 4/28/20 (review) 

Killers (1981)

Definitely the most straightforward of the Iron Maiden albums. The band were at the crossroads here of raw heavy metal and the more elaborate composition style band leader Steve Harris seemed to prefer. Paul di'Anno was always more suited to be a punk rock singer, and the music here fits his style perfectly. That's not to say the music here isn't complex, often times it is, just more compact. Especially on Side 1 with 'Wrathchild', 'Murders in the Rue Morgue', and the instrumental 'Genghis Khan'. Eventually, though, Harris followed his instincts and recruited from fellow NWOBHM band Samson - the Renaissance Man known as Bruce Dickinson - and thus Iron Maiden were guaranteed their place in music history.

On a personal note, I had the privilege of seeing the band on the Killers tour during the summer in my hometown. I still have the ticket stub: June 13, 1981 at Moody Coliseum (Dallas - SMU campus). I was all of 16 and drove another high school buddy there in my old 1973 Chevy Impala. It was originally a three band bill with Iron Maiden opening, Humbie Pie, and Judas Priest headlining. An unusual pairing, and I'm sure the promoters felt they needed Humble Pie to help fill the arenas, as heavy metal wasn't really that popular yet here in the States. Right before the show was to begin, we received an announcement that Humbie Pie had to cancel last minute due to an illness. The guy next to me was pissed! And we were elated - what a break! These were the two bands we wanted to see. So we got extended sets from each. I saw Maiden a few times after this with Dickinson, but it was great to see and hear them with Di'Anno this one time.

Ownership: 1981 Harvest (LP); 1988 Capitol (CD)

1981 (first acquired); 5/24/12; 8/19/15; 4/22/20 (review)

4/22/20 (new entry)