Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden
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Free Music Notes for Iron Maiden
Free Music Review: One of the Most Awesome Debuts this side of Rock n Roll
Hit: 5 Stars
The Maiden formed in 1976, and for 4 years they toured the underground English club circuit before signing on to a majro label and releasing their fantastic self-titled Debut album, IRON MAIDEN. Along with Never-Say-Die members Steve Harris and Dave Murray, who have stayed with the group during it's entire life-span, this album features the sole appearance of guitarris Dennis Straton and drummer Doug Samson, plus original vocalist Paul Di'Anno. Right from the start, Iron Maiden were more than just a promising band, they delivered the goods on every one of the album's 9 tracks.As a debut it's one of the best in all of metal, and as a Maiden album it's among their best work. Opener "Prowler" sports one of the most awesome guitar riffs of their career, a police car siren attack that sets high standards for the rest of the album. "Sanctuary" is a famous maiden track with good bass and a catchy chorus, not my fave, but still pretty good. "Remember Tomorrow" alternates between calm acoustic passages and loud instrumental heaviness, an awesome track. Following is the fun and anthemic hit single "Running Free", plus the sprawling 7-min masterpiece of "Phantom of the Opera". "Transylvania" is a fast and hard-hitting instrumental that transforms into the beautiful atmospheric "Strange World". "Charlotte the Harlot" is the first of a 4-part series, and is one of the best of the lot. Their namesake closer is one of the most memorable Maiden songs; there's just something breathtaking about the first guitar riff, which would provide the blueprint for many other great Maiden riffs to come.
All in All, Iron Maiden leaves nothing to be desired save for more Maiden. While most think Maiden hit their Stride with Dickinson & Number of the Beast, Paul Di'Anno and both of his Maiden albums are nearly as exceptional as that "Beast" of an album.
Prowler- 10/10
Sanctuary- 8/10
Remember Tomorrow- 9/10
Running Free- 9.5/10
Phantom of the Opera- 9.5/10
Transylvania- 9/10
Strange World- 9/10
Charlotte the Harlot- 8.5/10
Iron Maiden- 10/10
Free Music Review: It all started here!
Hit: 5 Stars
These are the roots of Iron Maiden...sure, there's no Bruce Dickinson here but Paul DiAnno was still a great singer; he just didn't have the range that Bruce has. I know many fans who are turned off by this album because Bruce isn't on it. I whole-heartedly disagree because here we have some major classics like 'Running Free,' 'Prowler,' 'Sanctuary,' 'Iron Maiden,' 'Remember Tomorrow,' and 'Phantom of the Opera.' All of these songs can be found on one or more Iron Maiden live albums and 'Iron Maiden' is performed as the encore at just about every Maiden concert. These facts cannot be overlooked!
If you like this album, I also recommend A REAL DEAD ONE which has Bruce doing a lot of these older songs. You also get a rare live version of 'Transylvania' on it that puts this version to shame!
These are simple hard rock songs, for the most part, with some good harmonies and guitar solos. The brainchild of this band, Steve Harris, had already developed most of the 'Maiden sound' that we hear today when this album was originally released. I would also say the styles of the songs are inconsistent within this album. I think this is great. We hear wah pedals used on 'Prowler' which is the only Maiden song I can think of that uses them. We have 'Remember Tomorrow' which is full of time changes and modulations...almost borderline progressive.
The only songs I don't care for much on here are 'Strange World' and 'Charlotte the Harlot,' the latter of which is a rare Dave Murray original. This would be Chapter 1 of a four part story about this hooker named Charlotte. Chapter 2 is '22 Acacia Avenue' from NUMBER OF THE BEAT. Chapter 3 is 'Hooks in You' off NO PRAYER FOR THE DYING, and Chapter 4 is 'From Here to Eternity' from FEAR OF THE DARK. These other songs are great, but I think Dave Murray should stick to soloing and not to writing songs!
You also get a much more raw sound that you only really hear on the first three Maiden albums. Like I said, DiAnno is great...he still has a nice range, and these songs cannot be overlooked, so pick this up if you plan on calling yourself an Iron Maiden fan.
Free Music Review: Perfect Debut Album
Hit: 5 Stars
Iron Maiden started of pretty well with a punk-sounded album. Compared to today's Iron Maiden sound, the band has changed but I'll get to that story someday. Below are my thoughts on each song:Prowler: 4.8/5 - Good, solid opener for the album, really shows what's yet to come. The music is awesome as well as the lyrics.
Sanctuary: 5/5 - The first of this album's best songs. Fast, catchy and awesome lyrics(though I had trouble understanding them at first). Has a sort of heavy feeling but I can't seem to figure out what it is!
Remember Tomorrow: 5/5 - My favourite slow song of this era. Not really a ballad as it goes from soft to heavy, but it's an incredible song.
Running Free: 5/5 - Three straight full-mark songs already? This is the punkest song on the album, a favourite to many fans, and my second favourite song on this album.
Phantom Of The Opera: 5/5 - The longest and greatest song on this album. My favourite track features an opera-like intro which sets the tone for this masterpiece. The first of two masterpieces actually(from this era).
Transylvania: 4.9/5 - The full-mark streak ends with my favourite instrumental. Like one reviewer(who earned my respect) said, it has a transylvanian sound to it. This song would've gotten full marks if it was a bit longer, just in case Metallica's Orion might have wanted to compete.
Strange World: 4/5 - Not my favourite track but deserves some recognition for being a good, slow song.
Charlotte The Harlet: 5/5 - The full marks return with Dave Murray's first(and I think only)solo written song. The start of four amazing songs in the Charlotte The Harlot series. DO NOT skip this song! Also has a cool instrumental sound in the middle.
Iron Maiden: 5/5 - The album ends with the band's 'street theme'. An incredible song with perhaps THE best rythem I've ever heard.
Rare tracks from this era:
Burning Ambition: 5/5 - Cool track, worthy of a place on the album.
Lineup:
Steve Harris - Bass
Dave Murray - Guitar
Paul Di'Anno - Vocals
Clive Burr - Drums
Dennis Stratton - Guitars
Overall: Awesome album, must NOT be missed by any Iron Maiden fan.
Free Music Review: Best Di Anno Album
Hit: 5 Stars
This was the best album out of the 2 that came from Paul Di Anno! The only thing that Killers beat out the original Iron Maiden album was the cover, that was it. I dont know if this was the remastered track listing cuz i have an older copy but this is the only place to put a review.
1. Prowler- 8/10 a classic maiden song. great opening riff, but doesnt rank up there with future maiden openers like where eagles dare, aces high.
2. Remember Tomorrow- 10/10 one of the best songs on the album, starts off sort of mellow, then turns into a kick ass melodic song. Di Anno had a great voice on this song.
3. Running Free- 7/10 one of the lower songs on the cd i know this was a concert staple for awhile but it never really grew on me. Very basic song.
4. Phantom of the Opera- 10/10 THE BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM!! HANDS DOWN!! Great opening riff, then turns into a kick ass song. one of the best solos that maiden ever did! Only reason that it didn't get 11/10 is cause this is one of the songs imo that the bad production rears its ugly head.
5. Transylvania- 10/10 Best instrumental ever by Maiden!! Ppl argue that Losfer Words but better but that song is nothing compared to Transylvania. Great riffing and solos throughout the whole song. They should bring this back into the concert setlists.
6. Strange World- 10/10 One of the most underrated maiden songs. Great melodic guitar, di anno's voice really shines in this song.
7. Sanctuary- 7/10 Another one of the lower songs on the album. Another concert staple (Dont know why cuz maiden had a lot of better songs on the album.) It sucks cuz the best part of the song is the end solo but they only play it at the concerts. :(
8. Charlotte the Harlot - 5/10 Worst song of the album 22, Acacia Avenue is much better. Dave Murray should only write songs with the other band members.
9. Iron Maiden- 8/10 Last song, kinda their theme song, another staple, only part of the song that i like is the solo. kinda repetitive
Third best Maiden album ever
Free Music Review: I wanna show you all my wares...
Hit: 5 Stars
If not the greatest debut in the history of heavy rock, then easily in the top ten, `Iron Maiden' heralded a changing of the guard and the dawn of a new era. It is probably the best record from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal as well and a timeless classic that never gets tired. Some of the most well know songs in heavy metal can found on this gleaming alloy of evil including "Running Free" which was a top ten hit in the UK in the early spring of 1980. "Phantom of the Opera" proved to be an early example of the type of virtuosic epics that would become the trademark of band founder and chief songwriter Steve `arry' Harris. The time changes, harmonies and variations in the melody, were such a decisive blow to music critics who criticized the musicianship of metal players. The origins of the early Iron Maiden sound due owe a significant debt of gratitude to Paul Di'Anno, whose gruff, punk rockfish vocal style slides in perfectly with these razor blade tales of the East End of London's seedy and dangerous streets. Bruce Dickinson will always be Maiden's greatest singer but Di'Anno's importance cannot be overlooked. He just sounded angry and the songs on the debut drip with violence and rage, "Prowler", "Iron Maiden", "Charlotte the Harlot" and "Sanctuary" (originally a single release after the album, later added to US release and all subsequent re-releases). "Remember Tomorrow" was a powerful example of what Maiden could do with a slower song and "Transylvania" was a rip snorting instrumental that began another great Maiden tradition. Dave Murray and Dennis Stratton proved to be a very capable guitar tandem though this was Stratton's only Maiden recording; he would soon be replaced by longtime Murray foil Adrian Smith. Clive Burr handled the skins and met the challenge of keeping up with Harris' time changes and murderous melodies. If I have played this record a thousand times I would not be surprised and it could very well be my favorite from Iron Maiden which shows you how important I think it is in terms of its impact on my future listening habits. Haunt me taunt me torture me back at your lair...