Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden
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Free Music Notes for Iron Maiden
Free Music Review: "Maiden's debut is a masterpiece"
Hit: 5 Stars
Just because Iron Maiden were mostly succesfull with Bruce Dickinson as their signer and that the albums were huge hits and all,it doesn't neccesarily mean that the previous signer Paul Di'Anno didn't do great albums with Maiden.In 1979-1980 the New Wave Of Brittish Heavy Metal exploded and Maiden were amongst the best of them and one of the surviving ones.Actually the two albums he did with the band "Iron Maiden" and "Killers" in 1980 and 1981 respectively can be considered as very good albums and influential ones as well,this first album especially.This album is actually a "chef d'oeuvre"(yeah a big word or two never hurts anybody)of the heavy metal genre.Well actually this album is showing their Punk-Rock roots and Di'Anno did have a pretty good voice for the genre of music they played at the time and has a special voice that I have grown to appreciate and its too bad that the band didn't make any other albums with him,even if i consider the Bruce era to be my favourite and the best.The songs on this one are classics of metal and are still great today,like the praised "Phantom Of The Opera" and the excellent "Prowler" that have a very classic sound and a good appeal with most Maiden fans.
Iron Maiden have been around since 1975(Christmas day,heheh)and all I have to say is why?Why didn't they release an album sooner but anyway the songs on here are some of the ones they had been playing since the debut of their careers and became some of their early hits."Prowler" was in fact on the band's 3 demo songs on their first LP,"Soundhouse Tapes" issued in 1978,and Iron Maiden caught attention from their beggenings as they sold five thousand copies in weeks.The lineup on this first album is the lineup of Steve Harris on bass,Paul Di'Anno as vocalist,Dennis Stratton as guitarist,Dave Murray on guitar and drummer Clive Burr.What's impressive is that the album reached # 4 in the UK charts in its first week of release!This album may not be considered as their best but this was a very influential album back then and it was the seed that would help generate many bands and most notably the "Trash-Metal" genre.
The songs on this one are very Punk-Rock inspired as I said but with an element of metal in it that makes it a true Iron Maiden album.The songs are very good and my personnal favourite and it shouldn't be a surprise is the much praised "Phantom Of The Opera",its an amazing piece of metal with terrific guitar playing and great vocals by Di'Anno,this is the masterpiece od the Di'Anno era and its worth hearing as this is one of Maiden's best songs ever."Prowler" is a song from earlier days and has a nice wah-wah guitar intro and a catchy chorus that will get stuck in your head."Transylvania" is a solid instrumental song but not much more,its good tought."Running Free" is one of the famous songs of the album and with good reasons,as this is a great song with solid lyrics and a great guitar riff and a solid song overral,one of the best on the album."Remember tommorrow" is nearly an instrummental with less singing but it shows each musician's capacities and the guitar solos and the riffs are amazing!It has great harmonies going from a slow part to fast one and from fast to slow.Strange World is a ballad,yes a heavy band doing a ballad and there is nothing wrong with it if its as good as this,very good track.Charlotte The Harlotte And Iron Maiden are both very good songs and finish the album pretty well to say the least.And last,the unreleased song "Sanctuary"(I don't know if it really is an unreleased song)is excellent with a great rebelion feeling that can be felt while listening to it and its one of the best tracks on the album!
This album is very good and is actually a solid album but its also must I say,the most underrated.Its full of classics and any fans should get this as every fans from every band in the world should get the opportunity to hear the debut and the basic idea of the band,if not just to compare how good they've comed.If you don't like Maiden with Bruce you might like this more as it sounds like classic Punk Rock but a metal and more harmonic touch in it and with with very solid lyrics."Iron Maiden" is a great album well deserving of a place in any metal fans's musical library.Its a great album but not a great one to start with,at least in my opinion if you are starting then as your first move get an album from the Bruce era as with those you are sure of liking them.If you are an older fan and have listened to most of the Bruce stuff then this is recommended(you'll know what Maiden sounded then).
Free Music Review: Maiden's debut is a NWOBHM cornerstone
Hit: 5 Stars
Iron Maiden (1980) Iron Maiden's debut.
I'd like to say that THIS was the Iron Maiden CD that I started with. Not Number of the Beast, folks. It took a little while to get used to the Maiden sound, but it was an absolute grower and now I can't get enough of it.
After a much-requested (by the fans) Soundhouse Tapes release, Maiden knew they had their work cut out for them to make their debut LP. So they did, recording it in 1979 and making it ready for release by early 1980. It was an awsome fusion of melodic rock, punk, and heavy metal, and it certainly showed what was to come for Maiden- if their debut was this good, what could come next? This lineup was one of Maiden's earliest album-wise, it had the rough and ready Paul Di'Anno vocals and original guitarist Dennis Stratton and drummer Clive Burr. This would be Stratton's last LP with Maiden.
Tracks:
Prowler- An awsome opener! Wouldn't think of anything else opening off this terrific CD. It's fast, tough, and has good guitar licks courtesy of Dave Murray and Maiden's old guitarist Dennis Stratton. Features some ripping solos in the middle. Funny but questionable lyrics, has a good song title though. Maiden hooks you with this song, and sets the tempo for the rest of the record. Greatness. 5/5
Sanctuary- Originally released shortly after this album as a single, Sanctuary is sometimes cut down by fans, but I, for one, love it. It just chugs along with some good backbone by drummer Clive Burr and bassist (our man!) Steve Harris. I like the lyrics alot. Don't know why this song is so cut down by some people. The only bonus track on this reissue CD. 5/5
Remember Tommorow- Whoa. This is a knockout- you just have to hear it! Sometimes melodic, sometimes hard, but it rocks like no other. Memorable track. 5/5
Running Free- Concert fave (done with much audience participation when Dickinson joined). A little overrated, but that's just my opinion. First song played totally live on Top of the Pops (early 1980) since the Who played there in 1972. 3/5
Phantom of the Opera- Best song off the album, and with good reason. Unbelieveable composition by Harris, it goes through alot of tempo changes and also features some firing and melodic guitar solos by Murray, plus the mean intro riff. Essential listening- you just have to hear the live version on Live After Death- awsome! 5/5
Transylvania- Memorable instrumental track- it's great and I think the album wouldn't feel complete without a burning instrumental. This track was originally going to have vocals, but it was never carried through. Follows up Phantom of the Opera very well. 5/5
Strange World- MOST UNDERRATED TRACK OF THE ALBUM! Simply love this song- just because it's not heavy dosn't mean it isn't great- full of beautiful solos by Murray, great singing by Paul Di'Anno and solid bass by Harris. One of my favorites off the album. 5/5
Charlotte the Harlot- The sole Dave Murray composition off the album- he composed the lyrics and the music. Starts off heavy and fast with funny lyrics, then has a tempo change, and what- back to the original opening riff! Can't help but like this song. 5/5
Iron Maiden- Maiden's signature track, and they do it at almost every concert- with good reason. The catchy riff was written by very early guitarist Dave Sullivan (around 1976- the first lineup). Great song. 5/5
As for the new 2002 remaster/reissue, well, I haven't heard the old one but as far as sound quality (it was remastered by Simon Heyworth at Chop 'em Out in 1998, and he, with Robert Fripp, also remastered the entire King Crimson catalogue in SACD and they sound unbelieveable. He does an excellent job) and packaging, it is great. It comes with some slightly informative notes (major dates in for the band in 1980) and full lyrics, plus some great photos. Also contains original album and singles artwork and comes with a slipcase. No complaints. It is well done and the Enhanced CD portion comes with two live videos (from late 1980 - Live at the Rainbow, with Adrian Smith, the replacement guitarist for Dennis Stratton) plus complete tour dates and some more rare photos and info.
I would say this Maiden CD is simply essential and will be in my head (and CD player) for a long time. It is certainly one of metal's all-time best debuts.
Free Music Review: Maiden's debut is a boiler
Hit: 5 Stars
Note that THIS is the Iron Maiden CD that I started with. No Number of the Beast, folks. It took a little bit to get used to the Maiden sound, but it was an absolute grower and now I can't get enough of it.After a much-requested (by the fans) Soundhouse Tapes release, Maiden knew they had their work cut out for them to make their debut LP. So they did, recording it in 1979 and making it ready for release by early 1980. It was an awsome fusion of melodic rock, punk, and heavy metal, and it certainly showed what was to come for Maiden- if their debut was this good, what could come next? This lineup was one of Maiden's earliest album-wise, it had the rough and tumble Paul Di'Anno vocals (no high pitched stuff here- well, maybe a little, hehe) and original guitarist Dennis Stratton and drummer Clive Burr. Sadly this would be Stratton's last LP with Maiden. I usually don't do track-by-track reviews, but since this album is so good, I think I will.
Prowler- An awsome opener! Wouldn't think of anything else opening off this terrific CD. It's fast, tough, and has good guitar licks courtesy of Dave Murray and Maiden's old guitarist Dennis Stratton. Features some ripping solos in the middle. Funny but questionable lyrics, has a good song title though. Maiden hooks you with this song, and sets the tempo for the rest of the record. Greatness. 5/5
Sanctuary- Originally released shortly after this album as a single, Sanctuary is sometimes cut down by fans, but I, for one, love it. It just chugs along with some good backbone by drummer Clive Burr and bassist (our man!) Steve Harris. I like the lyrics alot- ("Out of the winter came a warhorse of steel, I'd never killed a woman before but I know how it feels"). Don't know why this song is so cut down by some people. The only bonus track on this reissue CD. 5/5
Remember Tommorow- Whoa. This is a knockout- you just have to hear it! Sometimes melodic, sometimes hard, but it rocks like no other. Memorable track. 5/5
Running Free- Don't like this too much- I think it is overrated, but that's just my opinion. It just dosn't rock that hard to me and dosn't go along at nice pace. Sort of boring too me, but still OK. Live staple, still to this day. 2.5/5
Phantom of the Opera- Best song off the album, and with good reason. Unbelieveable composition by Harris, it goes through alot of tempo changes and also features some firing and melodic guitar solos by Murray, plus the mean intro riff. Essential listening- you just have to hear the live version on Live After Death- awsome! 5/5
Transylvania- Fairly memorable instrumental track- it's great and I think the album wouldn't feel complete without a burning instrumental. Follows up Phantom of the Opera very well. 4/5
Strange World- MOST UNDERRATED TRACK OF THE ALBUM! Simply love this song- just because it's not heavy dosn't mean it isn't great- full of beautiful solos by Murray, great singing by Paul Di'Anno and solid bass by Harris. One of my favorites off the album. 5/5
Charlotte the Harlot- The sole Dave Murray composition off the album- he did the lyrics and the music. Starts off heavy and fast with funny lyrics, then has a tempo change, and what- back to the original opening riff! Can't help but like this song. 5/5
Iron Maiden- Pretty overrated too, but it's Maiden's signature track, and they do it at almost every concert. It is very memorable with the chorus, but not a very good long term song. Good, but not great. 3.5/5
As for the new 2002 remaster/reissue, well, I haven't heard the old one but as far as sound quality (it was remastered by Simon Heyworth at Chop 'em Out in 1998, and he, with Robert Fripp, also remastered the entire King Crimson catalogue in SACD and they sound unbelieveable. He does an excellent job) and packaging, it is great. It comes with some slightly informative notes (major dates in for the band in 1980) and full lyrics, plus some great photos. Also contains original album and singles artwork and comes with a slipcase. No complaints. It is well done and the Enhanced CD portion comes with two live videos (from 1981 I think- Live at the Rainbow, with Adrian Smith) plus complete tour dates and some more rare photos and info.
I would say this Maiden CD is simply essential and will be in my head (and CD player) for a long time. It is certainly one of metal's all-time best debuts.
Free Music Review: Killer Debut!
Hit: 5 Stars
Iron Maiden released their first, full-length, self-titled album in 1980. Little did they know that they would eventually be part of one of the most known heavy metal bands of all-time (well Steve and Dave would be). Although it isn't the "classic line-up", the line-up of Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Denis Stratton, Clive Burr and of coarse Paul Dianno is definatly an impressive one. Paul definatly rocks. He is just a no-BS rocker and that shows in this album. His rough voice helps make this Maiden's most raw album.
One of the other reasons I like this so much is the punk-metal style. This can't really be compared to later releases such as Number of the Beast or Powerslave. The opening riff to "Prowler" is a great way to kick off the album. The song itself is an album highlight and one of my favourite Maiden tunes. It features a nice solo which I'm pretty sure was done by Denis. Maybe not a "masterpiece" in terms of lyrics compared to some of their stuff that would follow but this one always makes for a very enjoyable listen.
After "Prowler" is finished wowing you, you're hit with one of the coolest riffs this side of cool. This turns out to be one of the more "punk" songs lyrically and might not be for the casual Maiden fan but I can never see myself skipping over it. "Sanctuary" is one hell of a song!
"Remember Tomorrow" sort of reminds me of some of the later Maiden stuff with Bruce. Much like "Children of the Damned" this one starts off very soft and mellow (demonstrating that Paul can take on the ballad as well) but in the middle gets louder and a bit faster. I think this is a nice preview of things to come.
Clive gives us a cool drum beat to start off this song. Steve quickly comes in with a nice, smooth bassline and "Running Free" begins. This song kind of goes back to the punk energy of "Sanctuary" with similar lyrics. I dare you to listen to this song and NOT get up, jump around and/or start to sing or hum along. This is a quick classic and Paul excels again on this track.
"Phantom of the Opera" is a masterpiece all on its own. This may well be Maiden's first epic. If this were an album...I would buy it. This song is fast and then slow and then fast again. I find it funny how they can go from the very punkness of "Running Free" to the epic metal song that is "Phantom of the Opera". This is how a lot of people get into Maiden and even more of a sign of things to come.
A quick riff starts this one off. "Transylvania" is a great piece of work and pinpoints each member's talent at one point in the song. While not as good as any of the instrumentals that Metallica would do in later years but still is a fast song that always makes for a fun listen.
"Strange World" is sort of a mystical track. I think this kind of influenced some of the power metal bands that would come out in later years although no one else I talk to seems to get that. I guess I get that mainly from the lyrics and the overall vibe of this one. It's a pretty cool song.
The Charlotte saga starts here with arguably the best out of the four songs (defiantly better then "Hooks in You" and "From here to Eternity"). Much like "Prowler" the lyrics aren't amazing but they are fun and this turns out to make a very serious series of songs.
A very strange riff launches the next song and it soon turns into a harmony riff. The theme of this one is pretty much terror and death. It makes for a fast-paced yet still spooky listen. This is many a Maiden fan's favourite Paul-era song. Also Bruce does this one quite nicely live.
Anyway as much as I love this album, I don't recommend you start here. If you start with this or Killers you won't get the feel of what Iron Maiden really became. I'd start with Number of the Beast or Powerslave but don't count the Paul-era stuff out because it really does rock and it will kick you ass.
Free Music Review: The best, most creative, and honest Maiden album
Hit: 5 Stars
My name is arjun kaul.
INTRO
I've been a maiden fan since 1988. The first time I heard "Moonchild" from Seventh Son, I thought I was going to lose my mind. The music was just so powerful. I remember my cousin putting on a show for the family where he'd call everyone to the room with the record player, give me a tennis raquet and then play this song. I would of course go into a maniacal frenzy playing this "sports guitar" and feeling the energy. Anyways back to the review.
PRELUDE
I have a background in both performance and production. I'm a member of a touring hard rock band "prithvi" that has played hundreds of shows and I personally sing and play lead guitar. i also play drums, keyboards and bass when required. I have also produced a lot of music in a wide variety of genres including but not limited to rock/metal, house, funk, blues etc. I have sung a lot of Maiden and predominantly stuff from Bruce's era. I don't mean to brag but I have been able to nail all of Bruce's material quite comfortably. This is just to give you a reference point of where this review is coming from. I've been singing long enough to know what a good singer is. A good singer is someone who 'sings' well and expresses the song 'expressively'. That said let's get into the review.
REVIEW
This is in my opinion the best record Iron Maiden ever made. If you watch "The History of Iron Maiden" there's a good commentary on the making of this album and you'll know why its probably their artistically most faithful album. It was recorded while they were touring hard across the UK doing 2 to 3 gigs a night, traveling in the back of a modest van.
Production: The production is good. Period. Everything is well recorded and you can every single note and nuance very clearly. This is unlike their later records which IMO were ridiculously over produced with tons of EQ, compression and other effects. The sound is warm and has a good round analog feel to it. It doesn't sound bad at all. A lot of reviewers have bashed the production quality on this album. I'd like to respectfully submit that they didn't now what they were talking about. I believe they're rating this from the perspective of the kind of production that ruined maiden's sound in the 80s and 90s.
Songwriting: Very good. yes 'Phantom of the Opera' is the outstanding track. IMO the signature Iron maiden song. Doesn't sound like anything but Iron maiden. You can easily tell aces High is very similar to sections of 2112 by rush and similarly a lot of their other songs are super close to stuff by UFO which of course Steve Harris was influenced by. This song (POTO) sounds very original. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. 'Sanctuary' is also excellent. The melodic mid section is completely unexpected and gorgeous.
Performance: Steve Harris's most dexterous bass work can be found on this album. Some of Dave Murray's best solos as well. Clive Burr has consistently been good on all his work with maiden. His drumming on Phantom is extraordinary. Very hard to replicate and Nicko McBRain plays a simplified version of it live. You can see for yourself. Enough has been said about Paul's singing on this album. Its soulful and powerful at the same time. His singing also has a lot of variation. I think if Paul stayed with maiden, they would've been as famous as Queen. They would have had similar variety.
Important: This is the best maiden album for vocal harmony. Example 'phantom'. Its a lot more punchy and natural than the forced vocal harmonies sin later albums. Good work by Steve Harris again on this.
SUMMARY:
This is the REAL Iron Maiden. Their best studio work. Honest, creative and from the gut. Thanks for reading and feel free to connect with me.