 | Tracklist:
1. Prowler
2. Sanctuary
3. Remember Tomorrow
4. Running Free
5. Phantom Of The Opera
6. Transylvania
7. Strange World
8. Charlotte The Harlot
9. Iron Maiden
| Ranking: #12 for 1980 | |
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On 44 Lists
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11 of 12 thought this review was well written
Before I start my review, a little background info:
Iron Maiden was released in 1980, Maiden's first album, and shows very obvious signs of the punk roots/influence on Maiden. Only two of this album's line up are still with maiden today: Founder/Bassist Steve Harris, and the incredible axe-wielder Dave Murray. Dennis Stratton, the second left after this album, and was replaced by the fantastic Adrian Smith, who together with Murray created the classic Maiden sound. Stratton currentyl plays with Praying Mantis, I believe. The lead singer, Paul Di'anno, left after the follow up album Killers, and last time I heard he had a band called Paul Di'anno and the Killers. Clive Burr left after the third album, Number Of The Beast (Maiden's best work to date). He played with a few bands, but retired. In 2001 and he was diagnosed with MS. You can donate money to the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund on the Maiden website.
And now onto the actual album:
Prowler: This song is definatley a "grower". First time you hear it it sounds clumsy, but the more you hear it the better it becomes. It starts with a medium-temp riff, slows down, and then goes back to the first speed. 4/5
Sanctuary: For me, this really kicks the album off. The opening riff in the very beginning sounds like a cleaner prowler, but about 10 seconds in the song blows you away. Short, fast verses, a brilliant solo and a great chorus, this is one of the many highlights of the album. 5/5
Remember Tomorrow: A great song, this 'un. Slow, melodic verses with power-house bridges, only the iffy middle section stops it from getting full marks. 4.5/5
Running Free: Another absolute blinder of a song, probably the join best on this album, and one where the punk roots show must. A great drum beat starts this, before a powerful bass line joins in. Great guitar playing here, a wicked twin-solo, and the verses and chori kick major backside. One of the best Maiden songs ever, and a great one they do live (re: Live After Death, Live At Donnington. the crowd loves this song) 5/5
Phantom Of The Opera: Great song, this. The first of many Steve Harris epics, a really great song and a fantastic middle of the album. The opening is a bit dodgy on first hearing, but once you hear the verses it falls into place. A great riff, and fantastic middle section, and one of the best of the epics - only really beaten imho by pachendale and ancient mariner. pure maiden 5/5
Transylvania: This is the weakest part of the album. In truth, it was Maiden's first instrumental but it pales in comparison to Genghis Khan and Losfer Words (Big 'Orra). However, it can be thought of as an intro to Strange World, which makes it have a higher score. 3/5 (4/5 if combined with Strange World)
Strange World: THe other joint best song on this album. I'm a great fan of Maiden's more slow, melodic stuff (Fear Of The Dark album is, of course, excluded), and is better IMHO than Journeyman. A brillant song. 5/5
Charlotte the Harlot: THis one returns to the fast-paceiness of the album. Great opening riff, nice slower section, good solo, would get 5 if it weren't for the follow-up song (22 Accacia Avenue, from NOTB) being much better. 4.25/5
Iron Maiden: What a way to end an album! This song is a staple of the live show, and unlike the trooper, doesn't pale after hearing it live. This song is absolutley brillian, has a semi-solo by steve, and is brilliant, with one hell of a riff. 5/5
All in all, this is one hell of an album. Absolutley brilliant, better than the Killers follow up, this is Di'anno at his best. m/ Nice artwork too.
all in all: 4.75/5
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"Phantom of the Opera" is a great song, but almost impossible to play on bass. Fun and challenging though.
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POTO is the best song ever done by Maiden IMO,
look at my user name, need i say more?
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not really. except how can you hold the sticks? don't they slip through your hands?
[/being an idiot]
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[QUOTE=GurS]not really. except how can you hold the sticks? don't they slip through your hands?
[/being an idiot][/QUOTE]
Lol :lol:
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This is my fav Maiden album. I prefer Maiden with Di'anno than with Dickinson.
Yeah, Phantom of the opera is very hard in bass. I told my band to do a cover of that song. The bass player practiced all day and then he gave up. He has been playing bass for 5 or 6 months.
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By the way, Transylvania is a very cool song.
I don't even like Losfer words.
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amazing album, good review mate
IRON MAIDEN CANT BE CAUGHT, IRON MAIDEN CANT BE FOUGHT!
Digging: Sylosis - Conclusion Of An Age
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yeah cool review Gur
nice one
strange world is the best song on the album and one of my top five maiden songs
| | | Album Rating: 5
great review
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Great review for a great album.
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great review GurS..
And phantom is not impossible to learn on bass...
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wow i bought this cd off ebay.. let me tell you its ****ign amazing ..metal doesn't get much better then this im telling ya..
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[QUOTE=Eddie-the-Trooper]great review GurS..
And phantom is not impossible to learn on bass...[/QUOTE]
I said ALMOST impossible; it's still pretty challenging to me. But I think I've gotten better at it than when I first posted that remark.
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Maiden rocks. However, in my opinion:
"Strange World" is not only the best song on "Iron Maiden," it is one of the best out of all their material
"Killers" is better than "Iron Maiden."
"Powerslave" is their best overall album. The songs rock. The production kicks ***. The guitar solo on the song "Powerslave" is one of the best solos ever. It is not as technically impressive as many shredders' tunes, but it is so well constructed and flows so smoothly, it is sorta like the metal equivalent of the "Hotel California" solo. Classic.
Everything up to and including "Powerslave" rocks bigtime. Dickinson's vocals are kind of sketchy live so "Live after Death" is OK but not great. "Somewhere In Time" is mostly cool, some tunes are great, some not so great *cough*heavencanwait*cough* . The rest of their albums pretty much suck (yeah there are a couple cool tunes here and there, but mostly not.)
Di'anno or Dickinson? That's too close to call. Just please no more Blaze Bayley (although I do like that "Falling Down" tune.)
Most importantly of all, Iron Maiden needs to tour here in the states for real (not just a couple dates in NY and LA.) Ozzfest seriously needs to get Maiden on the bill!!! Up the Irons!!!!!!
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great review.....IRON MAIDEN RULES!!!:D
UP THE IRONS!
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WTF Its not that hard. Ive only been playing a year and it was the 3rd song i learnt at about 2 months in. Just go to have fast fingers.( or a pick but bleh) . yeah Its a great album POTO is a great song and so is Iron Maiden. Anyone have the Rock in Rio DVD? or the Earlydays?
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i like cheese! oops sorry wrong post.
i like iron maiden!
and i love Iron maiden!
And i absoulty worship Iron Maiden! (1 is song, 1 is album and 1 is band work out which, i dont even no what i just sad or what the hell im still waffling on about so im going t ostop now.. yyep right NOW... now.. now... now... heheheheh there a birdy outside... must g and talk to it and get inspiration)
| | | Album Rating: 4
this cd is awsome, but by far isnt the best iron maiden cd
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LOL those guys on the first page who said phantom of the opera is impossible on bass!!!
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This is my favorite album from Iron Maiden.
Great review, also.
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