Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son

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Often regarded as Iron Maiden's greatest achievement, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son saw yet another departure. Taking on elements of prog-rock and combining it with the new synthesised Iron Maiden sound, SSOASS was their first, and to date, only concept album.

Writing credits shared almost evenly, while at the same time seeing Steve Harris' name on the writing credits more often than on the previous two albums,  the composition and musicianship is second to none. It is my belief that we will never again see a heavy metal album by anybody, of this calibre. Perhaps the nearest to it is Queensr�che's "Operation Mindcrime", but even that falls well short of SSOASS. While the whole album is a veritable tour de force, it is also, imho, Bruce Dickinson's finest achievement to date.

This album, quite simply, will not be bettered by anyone: it has been equalled in quality of a different style, by Iron Maiden themselves, but for a heavy metal concept album, with its richness, and its bombasity, the like of it will never be seen again

Eddie rating: 10/10

Track listing

MOONCHILD
(Smith/Dickinson)

INFINITE DREAMS
(Harris)

CAN I PLAY WITH MADNESS
(Smith/Dickinson/Harris)

THE EVIL THAT MEN DO
(Smith/Dickinson/Harris)

SEVENTH SON OF A SEVENTH SON
(Harris)

THE PROPHECY
(Murray/Harris)

THE CLAIRVOYANT
(Harris)

ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG
(Harris/Dickinson)

 

Produced by Martin Birch

Vocals: Bruce Dickinson

Guitars: Dave Murray, Adrian Smith

Bass: Steve Harris

Drums: Nicko McBrain

 

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On to No Prayer for The Dying

Last updated on 26/07/99