Before the sold out arena shows, the millions of records sold and the worldwide recognition of being one of the most influential bands of all time, Iron Maiden was nothing more but a simple bar band located in the East End of London, trying to make their way to fame. Needless to say, more than 30 years later, it's pretty much confirmed that the band has made big waves around the world. In 1980 however, when the band released their classic debut,
Iron Maiden nobody knew the impact it would make on the state of heavy music as we know it.
At the time the band recorded this classic slab of metal, it was dead obvious that they were brimming with raw, potential and energy. A great example of this is album opener
Prowler a fast paced, energetic punk influenced metal tune. The song perfectly displays a unison of punk attitude and the technicality of heavy metal. Paul Dianno's voices is rough and edgy and the guitars go from simple powerchords to lightning fast harmonization that the band will later go on to be known for. The solo is a great combination of blues/neoclassical guitar playing and its execution is perfect, thanks to guitar wunderkind Dave Murray. On the next song,
Remember Tomorrow see's the band treading more of a dark path, bringing some truly melancholic melodies in the beginning of the song. Throughout, the bass (courtesy of the one and only Steve Harris) is rumbling right in the forefront of the music, something very rare in the case of Heavy Metal. Even, during the bands later work, you'll never cease to see (or hear) the bass being just as prominent as the guitars.
Third track
Running Free begins with a nice little bass riff and a pounding, solid drum beat. Although Clive Burr isn't the best drummer in the world, he does an excellent job on this album, keeping the beat and perfectly transitioning to all the different time signatures written by Harris. The chorus of this song is incredibly catchy, containing many vocal harmonies that significantly increase the overall catchiness of the song. An interesting note is that these harmonies were provided by one-time guitarist Dennis Stratton, a member would soon be thrown out, due to trying to "over-harmonize". A staple in the band's live performance for many years to come,
Phantom of the Opera is a great slice of progressive influenced metal. The beginning opens with an ominous flurry of neoclassical notes, then erupts into a tremolo picked, face paced riff, complete with some amazing progressive influenced drum-work. Dianno's vocal-work (once more along with some great voice harmonies from Stratton) in this song is splendid as he demonstrates that even he can create some "air raid siren" notes of his own. The song also contains some patented Maiden, time signature changes that spice up the song overall.
The sole instrumental track on the album (and the first of many)
Transylvania is perfectly set up to work without lyrics. Even without the use of a catchy chorus, the music finds it's own means of staying interesting with the use of great lead guitar lines and some nifty harmonization work. The bass strays away from the guitar-line completely at some parts, creating some great riffs of its own, that will also, keep the listener listening. Following track,
Strange World is a ballad that illustrates the band in a different light, a light where emotions and feelings reign dominant. The leads are incredibly emotional (blues influenced) and the rhythm has a touch of reverb, adding a somewhat creepy effect. Going from his rough, brutish growl, Dianno in this song prefers a soft and smooth croon, that perfectly fits in the depressive music.
Luckily, the music picks up again with the Dave Murray composition
Charlotte the Harlot. The guitar work goes from punk to soft balladry to guitar wizardry, really showing off just how talented Dave and Dennis were for their time. {Even though Dennis would be replaced by the superior Adrian Smith, he still deserves a great amount of credit for not only his ace guitar skills, but his many other contributions to this album). Final song
Iron Maiden is a great closer as it almost gives each member a spot to show off their own unique quirks and talents. Harris gets a bass solo, Burr pounds away at the drums, the guitarists once again show their quality and Dianno gives the performance of his life. The lyrics are also very interesting and almost describe the rise to fame the band will soon be experiencing.
One has to wonder if at the time of the recording if the band knew they were making a classic. Everything about this album is absolutely perfect, from vocals to instruments to even the raw production job. This record proved that Iron Maiden had the endless talent, and overwhelming skill to become leaders of the NWOBHM. Soon, not only this scene would feel the tremors of such great work, but the whole world would discover Iron Maiden, the metallic phenomena.
