Iron Maiden
As a debut album, Iron Maiden was superb. Indeed, as an album, debut or not, it is still superb. Already, the trademark machine-gun-fire bass rhythyms were there, and the chain saw guitar lines, and the blistering solos. But so were the quieter moments, as proof that Iron Maiden were excellent musicians, that they were capable of playing at more than just one speed and volume, and that in Steve Harris, they already had a virsatile, prolific and brilliant songwriter (he wrote or co-wrote all but one of the songs on the album). All the evidence was there that Iron Maiden would go on to dominate the world. Indeed, two of the songs on this very first album, Phantom Of The Opera and Running Free, remain classics to this day.
The personnel changes that would take place later would assist in the process of world domination, and were necessary: Paul Di'Anno's voice, for example, while good, pales in comparison to both Bruce Dickinson and Blaze Bayley. But nevertheless, this remains a great album by anyone's measure. Of particular note are the classic, Running Free, for its stoccato rhythyms, Phantom Of The Opera for its varying tempos and moods, and Iron Maiden, the band's anthem. But also, and almost in particular, Strange World, which showcases Di'Anno's vocals quite brilliantly
Eddie rating: 7/10
Track listing
PROWLER
(Harris)
REMEMBER TOMORROW
(Harris/Di'Anno)
RUNNING FREE
(Harris/Di'Anno)
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
(Harris)
TRANSYLVANIA
(Harris)
STRANGE WORLD
(Harris)
CHARLOTTE THE HARLOT
(Murray)
IRON MAIDEN
(Harris)
Produced by Will Malone
Vocals: Paul Di'Anno
Guitars: Dave Murray, Dennis Stratton
Bass: Steve Harris
Drums: Clive Burr
Availability:
Order it from
Last updated on 26/07/99