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User
Soundoffs 842
Album Ratings 3294
Objectivity 78%
Last Active 09-03-22 1:19 am
Joined 05-26-14
Review Comments 2,184
| Iron Maiden Albums: Worst to First
I just feel like making lists this week. Here's one that is sure to raise a few eyebrows. | | 16 |  | Iron Maiden
A Matter of Life and Death
Before you raise your pitchforks, let me explain. I don't hate this album on a technical level, there are many aspects of the record, and songs from it I enjoy. The reason I hate the record is because I have to sit through 11 minute slow burning chug fests to get to the good stuff. This is the album where Bruce really lost his touch, and where we begin to see how poorly utilized the three guitarists are. The album drags on WAY past its welcome, and never quite catches my attention on any level other than the occasional "Oh, that kinda sounded cool".
1.5/5
Best Song: For the Greater Good of God | | 15 |  | Iron Maiden
No Prayer for the Dying
Initially, this was my least favorite album released by Maiden, but over time I've learned to accept its existence and importance in their catalog. I do firmly believe that "Hooks in You" is the second worst song the band has ever put out, but there's just something about the stripped down their sound that truly intrigues me.
2/5
Best Song: Tailgunner | | 14 |  | Iron Maiden
The Final Frontier
The album really opens up with a bang with "Satellite 15", and carries on strong into the enitrety of the first half. But once you reach the song "Isle of Avalon" the record takes a firm nosedive into some of the most pretentious and uninspired music Maiden has put out to this very day.
2.5/5
Best Song: The Alchemist | | 13 |  | Iron Maiden
The Number of the Beast
I am well aware that I will never stop getting flack from putting such an influential record this low on the list, but I simply can't force myself to enjoy it as much as I want to. Everybody knows the big 3 songs on the record, and I will be the first to admit that they are some of the greatest metal songs ever recorded, but I am hard pressed to find anything else of value on this album. From the laughably bad chorus on "Invaders" to the completely bland "Total Eclipse", Number of the Beast is like digging for gold; more times than not, you end up with nothing, but when you find the good stuff, you feel rewarded.
2.5/5
Best Song: Hallowed Be Thy Name | | 12 |  | Iron Maiden
Virtual XI
I know this is just personal taste, but I actually enjoy this album more than I should. I understand that Blaze was not a worthy successor to Bruce in the slightest, but I can safely say I enjoy 7 out of the 8 songs on the record. It's just a shame that 1/4 of the album is dedicated to the single worst song in Maiden history, "The Angel and the Gambler"
3/5
Best Song: The Educated Fool | | 11 |  | Iron Maiden
Killers
I feel that the Paul Di'Anno is widely underappreciated by the music community as a whole. While I do find this album to be a bit of a lackluster followup to their debut, there are still plenty of live classics and a slick vibe that is hard to dismiss.
3.5/5
Best Song: Wrathchild | | 10 |  | Iron Maiden
Dance of Death
While I do have a few critiques on the album, like the over reliance of choruses on a few songs, the worst artwork ever created for a top tier metal band, and the dreadful Kevin Shirley production that has plagued Maiden's output since the dawn of the 2000's, I find this record to capture some of the raw kinetic energy that the band had in their earlier releases. Shortened song lengths, and the last solid performance from Bruce for over a decade make this record a welcomed addition to anyone's collection.
3.5/5
Best Song: No More Lies | | 9 |  | Iron Maiden
Piece of Mind
The black sheep of Maiden's 80's output with Bruce might be one of the strongest records they released in that decade. The record has a strange mix and production, but I find it only adds to the charm. If it wasn't for the mindbogglingly lame "Die With Your Boots On", and the embarrassing "Quest For Fire" I would easily bump the record up a few places, but sadly, they still made it onto the record, so I can't place it any higher.
3.5/5
Best Song: Where Eagles Dare | | 8 |  | Iron Maiden
Fear of the Dark
This album is a divisive one to say the least, but I happen to enjoy it quite a bit. The record is blatantly more rock oriented, however I think it's a sound the band works with very well. Great atmosphere can be found all throughout the record, and keeps me coming back for repeat listens.
4/5
Best Song: Afraid to Shoot Strangers | | 7 |  | Iron Maiden
The Book of Souls
Before the record was even released, I had a preconception that I was going to absolutely hate it. The previous two albums Maiden had released had completely underwhelmed me, and I was sure this was going to be the case with this one. The fact that is was a double LP didn't help my fears either. But after my first listen, all my doubts were completely blown out of the water. It turns out that the boys can still put together a solid record this far into their career. It certainly helps that they finally realized how to write 9+ minute songs with out them becoming completely redundant.
4/5
Best Song: The Book of Souls | | 6 |  | Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
From the first note on the album, I was completely hooked. Probably Maiden's most simplistic and straightforward release to date, and that is exactly why I love it so much. Even though a few tracks aren't as impactful as others, the record has a nice flow and punk tinged sound that is hard to dislike.
4/5
Best Song: Phantom of the Opera | | 5 |  | Iron Maiden
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
For the longest time, this was my favorite Maiden record, this may not be the case anymore, but I still do love it quite a bit. The album flows like a winding river, and tells a grand story, thanks to it being a conceptual album. It captivates the listeners, and doesn't let go until the very end. The only major issue I have with the record is the song "Prophecy", which I find to be a pretty dull affair in comparison to the rest of the tracks on the album.
4/5
Best Song: Moonchild | | 4 |  | Iron Maiden
The X Factor
I genuinely don't mind being the only person who loves this album. The entire record is drenched in dark moody atmospherics, numerous tempo changes, incredible instrumental interludes, and features some of the strongest songwriting the band has ever produced. I also think that Blaze's vocal contributions to fit perfectly into the grim and depressing nature of the album.
4.5/5
Best Song: The Unbeliever | | 3 |  | Iron Maiden
Brave New World
Everything seemed to click for Maiden on their first release of the 21'st century. Not a dud track in the bunch. There are enough fast uptempo songs to balance out the various epics on the record, (an ability the band lost soon after). If it wasn't for the absolutely garbage drum sound on the album, this may have been a bumped up a place, but as it stands, it remains at #3.
4.5/5
Best Song: The Thin Line Between Love and Hate | | 2 |  | Iron Maiden
Powerslave
I wholeheartedly believe this is the record that propelled Maiden from a great band, to the undisputed kings of metal. This is easily the most energetic, kinetic and overall powerful record the band has ever released, and is a true testament on how a metal record should sound, be structured, and be performed.
5/5
Best Song: Flash of the Blade | | 1 |  | Iron Maiden
Somewhere in Time
I have no idea what it is about this record that makes it stand above the rest, but everything just clicks for me. Out of all of Maiden's releases, this is the one I will always come back to. The production is otherworldly. The lyrics tell so many grand tales.The riffs are some of the best ever put to tape. The vocals are easily the strongest Bruce has ever recorded. Everything about this record inspires me, and I can safely say it is one of my favorite albums of all time.
5/5
Best Song: Caught Somewhere in Time | |
Morningrise767
07.31.18 | 16, 14, 13, 11, 10 and 9 are too low IMO. Also, ballsy putting Fear of the Dark and The X Factor in the top 10. But the top 3 are great picks, my personal fav is Powerslave :) | 0GuyMan0
07.31.18 | 3 is my 1 and 2 is my 2, so I'll fall in with this. | rockarollacola
07.31.18 | This list may seem strange, but it's all personal opinion. Hopefully it'll spark some conversation. | Morningrise767
07.31.18 | Thats all good bro, if everyone had the same opinion it would be boring. I just made my version of this list. It was harder to order the albums than I thought haha | upintheair
07.31.18 | You should be ashamed of yourself... | InFlamesWeThrash666
07.31.18 | Never thought i'd see Virtual over AMOLAD and NOTB | Ebola
07.31.18 | really interesting list. agree that Number is overrated as hell and Invaders is an atrocious opener | Henderson
07.31.18 | Pretty interesting list with some good points. You might be the first person I've seen that ranks AMOLAD that low (let alone last, though I agree it's too long), but I'm glad to see some love for The X Factor.
Me I'd say 5 > 2 > 1 > 9 > 13 > 3 > 4 > 11 > 16 > 6 > 7 > 8 > 10 > 14 > 15 > 12 | 0xME
07.31.18 | wtf is this ranking
good list though, explanations for the ranking are always appreciated | CygnusX1
07.31.18 | X Factor rated the same as Brave New World? What
Also #otB may have a couple fun filler tracks like Invaders but it's not nearly as bad as your ranking | BigHans
07.31.18 | The fact that The Nubmer of the Beast has 3 of the most 10 Iconic songs in the history of metal means that the rest of it could literally be the soundtrack to cows getting fucked by a grizzly and it would still be a hard 5. | teamster
07.31.18 | U nailed my top 3... | VincenzoAureo
12.20.19 | Nice, Virtual XI and X Factor are amazing IMO. | Josh D.
12.20.19 | you will pay for this | wham49
12.20.19 | You really think the X factor is way better than killers? Maybe you should not be ranking IM |
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