Iron Maiden had become one of the biggest bands in the world. They out-lived the NWOBHM and were constantly praised in Kerrang!'s reader polls. On both sides of the Atlantic Maiden were a huge success. Although, saying that, the US had now formed a new form of metal; it was heavier, faster and took its influences from bands such as Maiden. Of course the media had a name for it, in fact many names: Speed Metal and Thrash Metal to name a few. The sales for 'Seventh Son of A Seventh Son' would be affected by this form of musical diversity, but the music it self would be as powerful as ever, but still very different.
'Moonchild' starts, as does a new Maiden. There's an acoustic riff playing while Bruce introduces the story, as Maiden are renowned for their literacy and History lessons within songs.
This soon becomes a particularly fast-paced song about the fallen angel Lucifer. A very nice opener, but next to the other songs on this album, a soon to be over-looked track. An epic opener is daring and defiantly worked in their favour.
'Infinite Dreams' is a deeply perspective song. It begins with a spacey virtuoso guitar and then vaults into a galloping rhythm. Probably not the best track on the album, but again, it has some stiff competition here.
Anyone who claims to know anything about Maiden should know this song. It's a master-piece. Released as a single, it reached number 3 in the charts. The chorus draws you in, keeps you enticed and leaves you wanting more. The vocals are harmonic, the rhythm is compulsive and everything works together perfectly. 'Can I Play with Madness' is not just a highlight for 'Seventh Son', it's a highlight for Iron Maiden.
'The Evil That Men Do' is another single and it reached number 5. The lyrics are strong and the repetitive chorus works without dragging on somehow. The lead work is very powerful and the vocals show off Bruce's talent perfectly.
An almost ten-minute epic follows up 'The Evil That Men Do'. It may seem fairly pretentious, but this is the track that made conceptual albums cool again (although a conceptual album was never intended). It tells the story of a mythical creature that was said to have paranormal gifts. The name 'Seventh Son of A Seventh Son' makes for a great irony for their seventh studio album. It shares some great similarities with 'Rime of The Ancient Mariner', but I feel 'Seventh Son' is not as exciting as the former. The addition of synthesisers was done tastefully, although the purist fans will still detest the artificial sounds.
'The Prophecy' also makes for a dissimilar track. It has very powerful lyrics and the musicianship is strong, but pales in comparison to the rest of the album. Another epic track, but that's what you learn to expect from Maiden.
Another great song and another great single; Bruce almost hisses the lyrics as the drumming is pounded in a dancing rhythm. The bass introduces this track, making for a nice variation. The guitars are screaming through the lead parts and the rhythm is very dramatic.
Steve and Bruce wrote the final track 'Only the Good Die Young' and the effort is very clear in listening to this. In terms of what's defined as a classic Iron Maiden track, this is defiantly over-looked and may never see a compilation. The chorus is catchy and the instruments are consistently at a pounding rhythm.
Towards the end of the song, the only sounds left are a soft-singing Bruce and a quiet acoustic at the final lines.
Most, if not all Iron Maiden fans will already have this album. There's really no reason this album shouldn't be in your collection (well, except for the synthesisers, of course).
Best Tracks: 'Can I Play With Madness', 'The Evil That Men Do', 'Only The Good Die Young'.
