I support this righteous endeavour! I've got a lot of time to spare at the moment too, so I think I could do one of these things for the discography of the Ozrics. <3

Well, since it appears as I have at least one follower, I'll keep this going in this thread so as to not cluster things.

How it will go: I will review each song from each studio album one at a time and give a description of what I think of the song + lyrics (I'll star out any curses should a song contain one, but only because that's in the rules. Anything else will be placed up no matter what) and finally give a numerical rating.

And I think I'll start it here!

Band #1: Iron Maiden
Album: Iron Maiden (1980)
-----
Song #1: Prowler
Okay, for anyone wondering, Iron Maiden's beginnings are vastly different from what they are now recognized as. Their most prominent singer, Bruce Dickinson, didn't join until the 1982 album "The Number of the Beast". Before that, they had two albums (Self-titled album and "Killers") with vocalist Paul Di'anno (Who was later kicked out for drug overdose and "Creative Differences" (He wanted to go punk, Maiden wanted to go metal. Obviously wasn't going to work to begin with.). He has a singing style that is far more "punkier" than Dickinson's operatic wailing (Thus creating a disparity between those that prefer one era over the other. I love both for what they are, for the record. But then again, I hate everything Metallica did after 1988 so who am I to judge?).

Now, as to the song itself, the song begins with an extremely raw guitar riff that follows into Di'annos opening vocals:

Walking through the city, looking oh so pretty,
I've just got to find my way.
See the ladies flashing. All there legs and lashes.
I've just got to find my way.

I didn't mention their lyrical style was pretty far from what they normally did too, did I? No? Well, it was obvious their lyrical nature was much different back then (Although they had some songs such as "Phantom of the Opera" that showcased what they eventually would become later on in their careers.).

Well you see me crawling through the bushes with it open wide.
What you seeing girl?
Can't you believe that feeling, can't you believe it,
Can't you believe your eyes?
It's the real thing girl.

Obviously, the song appears to be about a stalker of sorts (As I said, later on they change their lyrical nature to focus on war, history, and literature later on). Nothing noteworthy as far as lyrics are concerned, and Di'annos vocals get the job done here. Then the song goes into the obligatory solo which is nicely done.

Got me feeling myself and reeling around,
Got me talking but feel like walking around.
Got me feeling myself and reeling a...
Got me talking but nothing's with me...
Got me feeling myself and reeling around.

The chorus repeats a few more times to conclude the song. Pretty good song, even if atypical for what they are known for and the lyrics are kinda meh. Still, the lyrics don't make a song, the song does.

8/10

More coming up

(Note to mods: I am doing each song in seperate posts for the sake of not clustering up each post with multiple songs and I don't know if/how soon anyone would respond for it to not be double posting or whatever, so please forgive me.).

Okay, time for the next song off the album!

Song #2: Remember Tomorrow
Second song off their debut album and it follows a vastly different tempo than their first song. It has a much slower tempo than Prowler did, and its quite obvious when one first listens to it.

Unchain the colours before my eyes,
Yesterday's sorrows, tomorrow's white lies.
Scan the horizon, the clouds take me higher,
I shall return from out of fire.

Di'anno gives a fairly slow delivery while the bass is present in the background. The song appears to be a reference to his grandfather, a WWII fighter pilot (From what I've heard, don't quote me.).

The song keeps its slow tempo as the next set of lyrics are heard:

Tears for rememberance, and tears for joy,
Tears for somebody and this lonely boy.
Out in the madness, the all seeing eye,
Flickers above us, to light up the sky.

Di'annos change of tone at the final part of that which leads to the much heavier portion of the song (Which is really good imo lol) and proceeds into another shredding guitar solo. They lyrics are pretty good at least in that it seems to be about something, which is a plus. Although I can't help but feel there is a lack of energy in this song, that's all I can complain about really =/

Unchain the colours before my eyes,
Yesterday's sorrows, tomorrow's white lies.
Scan the horizon, the clouds take me higher,
I shall return from out of fire.

While the lyrics and vocals are definately powerful, the music itself just doesn't seem to match up, for whatever reason. I dunno, it just doesn't seem to have the same energy as Prowler did. So, even with good lyrics, I can't help but only give this a 7/10.

Next one coming up later

Okay, we're back! I'm going to try and get at least 2 songs a day. Maybe more, who knows? Let's keep going

Song #3: Running Free

Another song that is vastly different from their discography (As I said, their first 2 albums really aren't like their other stuff, but still good.

The song begins with a constant drum/bass thumping in unison with each other as the lead guitars chime in as Di'anno begins singing.

Just sixteen a pick up truck
Out of money out of luck
Ive got no place to call my own
Hit the gas and here I go

Im running free yeah, Im running free
Im running free yeah, Im running free

After that, the song goes into a nice solo as the song continues along with its constant beat. I'm not great with music theory terms so forgive me if my descriptions are rather lacking. But the guitarwork, while nothing special gets the job done as everything is completely audible.

Pulled her at the bottle top
Whiskey dancing disco hop
And all the boys are after me
And thats the way its gonna be

Im running free yeah, Im running free
Im running free yeah, Im running free

Despite this song being from a different era, it still sees some playtime at live tours, even with a different singer! So that's a bit cool. Lyrics aren't anything special to work over. The song is a bit repetitive, but it doesn't last long enough for you to notice. Which is a good thing.

7/10

While I"m here, might as well get song #4 down.

Song #4: Phantom of the Opera

As you would guess, the song appears to be based off of the French novel/play of the same name, which actually would be the start of what Iron Maiden's lyrical material would seem to be like later on in their careers. I haven't actually read PotO though, so its hard for me to judge the lyrics, but I'll leave them up for anyone that wants to disect them.

I've been looking so long for you
Now you wont get away from my grasp.
You've been living so long in hiding
In hiding behind that false mask.
And you know and I know that
You ain't got long now to last.
Your looks and your feelings
Are just the remains of your past.

Di'anno really does have a solid delivery here. Even though I think he's a douchebag at times (He's taken every opportunity to bash Iron Maiden that he can even though it was well known he purposely fainted to avoid doing several shows on tours before. Also, his solo career consists of covers of Iron Maiden songs he sung on before. Funny..... I wonder where his material is?)

The song keeps going with the amazing riff that follows it

You're standing in the wings,
There you wait for the curtain to fall.
Knowing the terror and holding
You have on us all.
Yeah, I know that youre gonna
Scratch me, maim me and maul.
You know Im helpless from
Your mesmerising cat call.

Afterwards, the song slows its tempo a fair bit while Di'anno keeps his singing at the same tone and proceeds into a nice sceeching guitar lead.

Keep your distance, walk away,
Don't take his bait.
Don't you stray, don't fade away.
Watch your step, he's out to get you,
Come what may.
Don't you stray, from the narrow way.

The tempo picks back up to where it was at the beginning of the song and goes through an instrumental section that keeps you going until it hits a another Maiden riff (Not a bad thing, every band has a riff you recognize from them) and then heads into a guitar solo as it approaches the same riff from the beginning of the song which finally closes into the final lyrical section of the song.

I'm running and hiding in my
Dreams you're always there.
You're the phantom of the opera,
You're the devil, you're just out to scare.
You damaged my mind
And my soul it just floats through the air.
Haunt me, you taunt me,
You torture me back at your lair.

As the song ends, Di'anno's voice at the end can be heard in a distorted fashion repeating the final line one final time.

Easily one of Maiden's better songs and definitely a litmus test for what they were to become in their later years (Sorry if my descriptions don't make sense, I suck with music theory terms ).

9/10

Song #5: Transylvania

Okay, for this song lyrics aren't needed since this is Iron Maiden's very first instrumental track. No clue why its called Transylvania, as the sound doesn't really depict any kind of Dracula-esque sense. But there is an interesting story behind the track itself. Bassist Steve Harris reportedly wrote it while with his previous band, Smiler, but the band rejected the idea for it since they felt it was too complicated and he was kicked out. So he went and formed Iron Maiden on Christmas Day in 1975 and this would be one of the first tracks to appear on it. This song has been covered by Iced Earth (If there are any IE fans out there) among other numerous bands before.

Being an instrumental, it bears no lyrics at all. But the song is interesting enough to keep you interested throughout the whole time you're listening to it. Also, the riffs change up very nicely just as when you're starting to tire of them, so that's a definate plus.

All in all, great song and sounds a lot like what Iron Maiden would be later on in their careers.

9/10

Song #6: Strange World

This song connects directly to the last one, as they seem to lead into each other in an almost eerie fashion. The slow bass tempo really adds a somewhat eerie vibe early in the track

The only place where you can dream, living here is not what it seems.
Ship of white light in the sky, nobody there to reason why.
Here I am, I'm not really there, smiling faces ever so rare.
A let's walk in deepest space, living here just isn't the place.

After the song starts for a bit, the opening vocals kick in, with a rather slow but powerful delivery by Di'anno. The lyrics themselves seem to be about a strange, almost dystopian type of society where there is nothing but happiness. Creepy if I do say so myself. The slow but emotional solo reinforces the feeling of the song itself.

Stalks of light come from the ground, when I cry there isn't a sound.
All my feelings cannot be held, I'm happy in my new strange world.
Shades of green grasses twine, girls drinking plasma wine.
A look at love, a dream unfolds, living here, you'll never grow old.

Don't you hear me call? Ooh

Really weird, but sad song if I do say so myself. Really good, another addition to Dianno era Iron Maiden that is very solid.

8/10

Almost done with my favorite band's debut, and with that we lead into the seventh track.....

Song #7: Charlotte the Harlot

Again, we head back to the punkier style that early Iron Maiden was known for in their early years. Not my favorite type of song from them, but I'll review it regardless.

Giving a swish with your arse in the air, don't you know what they're saying?
Charlotte you're so refined when you take all the love that they're giving.
Sticking with every man that you find, don't you know what they're after?
Charlotte you've got your legs in the air, don't you hear all the laughter?

Charlotte the Harlot show me your legs,
Charlotte the Harlot take me to bed.
Charlotte the Harlot let me see blood,
Charlotte the Harlot let me see love.

I don't need to tell you that seems a bit descriptive, but it was representative of the mentality of the band of the time (Just recently had the term "Metal" come into use with Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and the entire rise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal Scene, and many bands still had a "Rock n' roll" type of mentality, just so you know).

Normally Di'anno's voice isn't bad but it just really grates on me in this song and the melodic part in the middle just is kinda meh to me.

Taking so many men to your room, don't you feel no remorse?
You charge them a "fiver", It's only for starters.
And ten for the main course.
And you've got no feelings, they died long ago.
Don't you care who you let in?
And don't you know you're breaking the law with the service you're giving.

Charlotte the Harlot show me your legs,
Charlotte the Harlot take me to bed.
Charlotte the Harlot let me see blood,
Charlotte the Harlot let me see love

And with that, it takes the song into the melodic portion I referred to before. Just.... I dunno, it doesn't really click with me. Not awful, but not my thing.

There was a time when you left me standing there,
Picking up pieces of love off the floor.
Well Charlotte you left me alone in there,
To make your ends as a bloody whore.
Well Charlotte you told me you love me true,
Picking up pieces of love yesterday.
Well Charlotte you're draws are off color too
'Cause you're making love all day.

However, one portion that saves this song is the wicked solo that follows after verse. Not much else to say though.

Giving a swish with your arse in the air, don't you know what they're saying?
Charlotte you're so refined when you take all the love that they're giving.
Sticking with every man that you find, don't you know what they're after?
Charlotte you've got your legs in the air, don't you hear all the laughter?

And with that, the song ends. Not awful...... but not exactly one of my favorite IM songs. I dunno, I don't think this kind of song is something they pull off all that well.

6/10

And here we have the finale here of their very first album, and probably the best song on the album itself in my opinion.

Song #8: Iron Maiden

Yes, the song is titled after itself, what's wrong with that? 😛

As you may know what an Iron Maiden actually is (At least I hope so), and that's precisely what this song is about! The song just has a badass tone about it all the way through, just something that's hard to describe.

Won't you come into my room, I wanna show you all my wares.
I just want to see your blood, I just want to stand and stare.
See the blood begin to flow as it falls upon the floor.
Iron Maiden can't be faught, Iron Maiden can't be sought.

Oh Well, wherever, wherever you are,
Iron Maiden's gonna get you, no matter how far.
See the blood flow watching it shed up above my head.
Iron Maiden wants you for dead.

Man I love that badass guitar tone XD
Honestly, I can't think of anything I don't like with this song, easily the best song on this album, and this song is still played live even though the band has been around for over 30 years says something.

Not much else to say, the lyrics repeat themselves again a couple more times until the song ends.

10/10

I give it a perfect score merely because there isn't a single moment I'm not headbanging to this song, everything is just perfect on it.

Let's recap, shall we?

Album: Iron Maiden
Year: 1980
Song list:
1. Prowler: 8/10
2. Remember Tomorrow 7/10
3. Running Free 7/10
4. Phantom of the Opera 9/10
5. Transylvania 9/10
6. Strange World 8/10
7. Charlotte the Harlot 6/10
8. Iron Maiden: 10/10

I'm not going to average the scores, but I'd say the album gets a solid 8/10 for me.

Next album, will be the sophomore release, "Killers".

Okay, I'm back, and here for their second release, Killers, from 1981. The album sees a progression of their punk-inspired metal sound that described much of the NWOBHM movement throughout the 80's but would eventually lead to their more operatic style later in the decade with their 3rd and easily their most controversial release (Although I wouldn't say its their best), The Number of the Beast of 1982.

But we're not there yet (Although I do think Bruce Dickinson-era Iron Maiden was the best, we still have to review an album before we get there!), we're here to review Killers, so let's get started! Oh! One more thing to mention, longtime lead guitarist for this band, Adrian Smith alongside Dave Murray would join on this album all the way up until their 1988 release, "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" but would rejoin them for their 2000 album "Brave New World" after that. Seeing as Adrian Smith is a REALLY underrated guitarist, I feel that this should be mentioned here.

Band: Iron Maiden
Album: Killers
Year: 1981

Song #1: The Ides of March

Alright, we get another instrumental from Iron Maiden (Unfortunately, they only do one more past this song, and its sad given that all their instrumentals are fantastic).

It starts out with a pressing drum beat pounding down on you for the opening segment. Not long after, the lead guitars kick in. Not much to say, other than the guitar sections flow very nicely along side the drumming going on. I still thought Transylvania was a much better instrumental though.

7/10

C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!

Nah, seriously, keep this thing going man.

Thanks. Lots of free time to kill, so why not? XD

Okay, I was having a headache yesterday so I didn't feel like reviewing anything at all the other day. Today, I'll try to get a few more songs in today ^_^

Song #2: Wrathchild

God I love that sexy bass intro. Its just so goddamned sexy, I can't help myself XD

One of my favorite Di'anno-era tracks, it starts off with the said sexy bass intro and quickly leads into a screeching guitar lead via our man Adrian Smith (I love that lead guitar intro also, so sexy XD) into the opening lyrics

I was born into a scene of angriness and greed, and dominance and persecution.
My mother was a queen, my dad I've never seen, I was never meant to be.
And now I spend my time looking all around,
For a man that's nowhere to be found.
Until I find him I'm never gonna stop searching,
I'm gonna find my man, gonna travel around.

Di'anno's rather raspy singing style works very well here. Lyrically, it simply seems to about someone looking for a lost father. As mentioned before, their lyrical nature was much different then (Still like the Di'anno era, don't get me wrong). Not much else to mention about what the song possibly means, its fairly obvious given the lyrics are rather straightforward.

'Cos I'm a wrathchild, well I'm a wrathchild.
Yeah I'm a wrathchild. I'm coming to get you, oooh yeah.

Say it doesn't matter ain't nothin' gonna alter the course of my destination.
I know I've got to find some serious piece of mind, or I know I'll go crazy.
But now I spend my time looking all around,
For a man thats nowhere to be found.
Until I find him I'm never gonna stop searching,
I'm gonna find my man, gonna travel around.

The song itself is fairly short, not even lasting three minutes, but it does its job. Its fast, hard, and aggressive and lasting any longer would easily overstay its welcome. Overall, an awesome song from their early days.

8/10

Song #3: Murders in The Rue Morgue

If that title sounds familiar to you, its because its the name of a short story by the one and only, Edgar Allen Poe 😛
With that in mind, its a song that takes literature influence and isn't bad in its own right. Not their best literature influenced song, but pretty good.

The song starts with a small but steady bass intro with the drums progressively getting louder and louder as the song goes until the guitars kick in and Di'anno gives his voice.

I remember it was plain as day
although it happened in the dark of the night.
I was strolling through the streets of Paris
and it was cold it was starting to rain.
And then I heard a distant scream
and I rushed to the scene of the crime
but all I found was the butchered remains
of two girls layin' side by side.

Murders in the Rue Morgue
I'm running from the Gendarmes
Murders in the Rue Morgue
running from the arms of the law

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the tale (Even though I haven't read it in like forever so what actually happened has passed me by )
Di'anno's delivery is nothing special, but gets the job done. As I recall, the murder of the girl was actually a monkey or something.... wasn't it? *Checks wiki*

Yes it was! Well, it makes sense in these lyrics since it says that he can't speak their language in the lyrics, so a subtle reference to the monkey in that case!

Murders in the Rue Morgue
running from the Gendarmes
Murders in the Rue Morgue
am I ever gonna be free

Murders in the Rue Morgue
they're never gonna find me
Murders in the Rue Morgue
I'm never going home.

The lyrics end up there as the song ends. Not bad, I like it, but there's better on this album. Musically the song is somewhat bland but Di'anno's solid delivery bumps it up a notch.

7/10

We continue onwards here!

Song #4: Another Life

Another song off the album, directly after Rue Morgue. It begins with what I can only describe as a "Exotic" drum solo opening before kicking into the lead guitar riff shortly after. Di'anno then starts up his vocals again

As I lay here lying on my bed
sweet voices come into my head.
Oh what it is, I wanna know
please won't you tell me it's got to go.
There's a feeling that's inside me
telling me to get away.
But I'm so tired of living
I might as well end today.

I really don't get the lyrics here either, but it fits within the theme of death that Killers has throughout, so I guess it fits in that regard. Still, don't particuarly care for them but its the music that makes the song, and not the lyrics.

The mid-sections go through a number of changes so the song doesn't stay repetitiive, so that's a plus. Still, it doesn't quite hold my attention that much. Di'anno's voice starts to grate on me at the end of the song, so I really can't say I hold the song in high regard. It really does feel like a filler track to me. =/

5/10

Okay, next song here we go!

Song #5: Genghis Khan

Despite being named after the rather infamous history figure, the song is actually an instrumental, so I don't quite understand why this song was named after him. *Shrug*

But to the song itself. Its not very long, just barely going past 3 minutes itself. It starts up with a powerful drumming sequence alongside a rather interesting guitar riff although I think its used for a tad bit too long itself and grows somewhat thin after a while (And repeated listens to boot). The song though changes it up a few times throughout. The riffs are good, but nothing special I'm afraid. They keep you interested in the first listen, but after you listen to it so many times, a song like this isn't all that interesting =/

Its not a bad song by any means, just doesn't feel like its as great as the amazing songs that exist within Iron Maiden's discography.

6/10

Song #6: Innocent Exile

Another subpar Di'anno era song that really doesn't age well with me. Don't get me wrong, there's some AMAZING stuff in this era (One of my favorite Di'anno songs has yet to be looked over yet in fact!) but a lot of it feels unmemorable at best.

My life is so empty, nothing to live for.
My mind is all confusion, 'cos I defied the law.
When you weren't there to help me, I lost my mind and ran.
I never had no trouble before this all began.

I'm running away, no where to go.
I'm lost and tired and I just don't know. Yeah...
They say I killed a woman, they know it isn't true.
They're just trying to frame me, and all because of you. Yeah...

Di'anno's vocals just don't have a spark here that they did in the other songs. The solo here is actually pretty cool, but riffs > solos imo

5/10

Song #7: Killers

Aha! Here we go! Easily the best song on the album, I just love it so much <3

Just like with the rest of the album, it follows a theme of death happening somehow.

It starts with a rising bass solo by Steve Harris but is soon joined by the drums and Di'anno's screams as it repeats slowly to build tension for the listener as the main riff kicks in right before Di'anno starts to sing.

You walk through the subway, his eyes burn a hole in your back,
A footstep behind you, he lunges prepared for attack.
Scream for mercy, he laughs as he's watching you bleed,
Killer behind you, his blood lust defies all his needs.

My innocent victims are slaughtered with wrath and despise,
The mocking religion of hatred that burns in the night.
I have no one, I'm bound to destroy all this greed,
A voice inside me compelling to satisfy me.

Di'anno really does a great job at convincing you with his maniacal screams that he is the Killer somehow. The main riff dissapears but is replaced with a powerful galloping bass in the background as Di'anno keeps singing and the wonderful solo complements the galloping so easily.

I can see what a knife's meant to be,
And you'll never know how I came to forsee, see, see.

Death call arises, a scream breaks the still of the night,
Another tomorrow, remember to walk in the light!
I have found you, and now there is no place to run,
Excitement shakes me, oh God help me what have I done?!
Oooh yeah, I've done it!
YEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHH!

Just awesome. Even though the lyrics are depicting a rather gory conclusion, there's no doubt they get they job done in setting the atmosphere for what is going to happen for his unfortunate victim.

You walk through the subway, my eyes burn a hole in your back,
A footstep behind you, he lunges prepared for attack.
Scream for mercy, he laughs as he's watching you bleed,
Killer behind you, my blood lust defies all my needs.
Oooh look out, I'm coming for you!
Ahahahaha!

And with that, the songs ends on a just powerfully awesome note 😛

9/10

Heheheh, getting quite a few done tonight aren't we? Well, I want to wrap up Killers either today or tomorrow so that the Classic Iron Maiden era can begin

Song #8: Prodigal Son

Another attempt for the Di'anno era to try a more melodic approach but this song just doesn't quite click with me :S

As mentioned, the song starts up with a fairly slow intro and keeps that same tempo throughout the song. As I said, it doesn't quite click with me (Not that I don't like slow songs, and Iron Maiden have some really good slow songs, just not from the Di'anno era :S).

Listen to me Lamia, listen to what I've got to say.
I've got these feelings, and they won't go away.
I've got these fears inside that'll bring me to my knees.
Oh help me Lamia or I'm sure I'll die, oh please.

Oh Lamia please try to help me.
The devil's got a hold of my soul and he won't let me be.
Lamia I've got this curse, I'm turning to bad.
The devil's got a hold of my soul, and it's driving me mad. Oh

Honestly, I haven't got a clue what the song's lyrics could be alluding to other than I think a Lamia is supposed to be a vampire of some kind. Some sites that try to interpret song meanings think its just a plea for help type of song so I'll run with that.

Eh, its not an awful song, but I don't particularly like it either.

5/10

Song #9: Purgatory

Alright, back to what Di'anno era Maiden did best, just play fast and aggressive. The main riff starts out right when the song begins (And what an awesome riff it is!) and quickly progresses into the lead vocals.

Thinking of an age old dream, places I have never seen,
Fantasies lived times before.
I split my brain, melt through the floor.

Please take me away, take me away, so far away.
Please take me away, take me away, so far away.
Please take me away, take me away, so far away.

Lyrically, the song seems to be about a lost spirit who's trying to get back with someone, or possibly trying to drag her back with him, hence the name "Purgatory" as the song title. Makes sense to me. The opening riff is really awesome at first but wears thin as its repeated for the whole song :S

Still, not bad though, even if it sounds like a filler track.

7/10

Okay, time for the last song on their 2nd album! Here we go!

Song #10: Drifter

Alas, the final track on the album, but I can't say I quite like it that much either. Not bad, but still gives the impression of filler on the track. Which is dissappointing, given Wrathchild and Killers are two amazing songs, but they are just boiled down by filler on this track

But here's how the song goes I suppose, and the album itself.

The song starts with a quick intro leading into Di'anno's lead vocals as the drums pound very loudly in the background.

Walk away!

I want you to sing it,
sing it, sing it, sing it along
I want you to sing it,
sing it, sing it, sing it along
I want you to sing it,
sing it, sing it, sing it along
I want you to sing it,
sing it, sing it, sing it aloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong

The lyrics are really meh to me, not being noteworthy of anything at all. It wouldn't be that bad if the song was really good. Unfortunately, its rather bland and I'm getting tired of Di'anno's voice by the time the song ends. Which is a shame, given that they have some brilliant material on the first two albums, but they are extremely inconsistent.

Overall, this song just bores me =/

5/10

Now, since that's the whole album, let's recap.

Album: Killers
Year: 1981
Song List:
The Ides of March: 7/10
Wrathchild: 8/10
Murders in the Rue Morgue: 7/10
Another Life: 5/10
Genghis Khan: 6/10
Innocent Exile: 5/10
Killers: 9/10
Prodigal Son: 5/10
Purgatory: 7/10
Drifter: 5/10

Overall, I can only give this album a 6/10 given all the filler it has, which I don't want to do because Wrathchild and Killers are two simply jaw-dropping songs but the rest I don't really find memorable. And upon this note, this ends the Di'anno era of Iron Maiden, as during mid-tour for this album, singer Paul Di'anno would be fired for major drug abuse and difficulties with touring (Not to mention the fact that he and the band's founder Steve Harris wanted to go into two totally different directions musically). Thus, a new singer would be sought out and they found Bruce Dickinson of Sampson who's vocal style was much more operatic than Di'anno's raspy, punkish style and would define what is commonly known as Iron Maiden's "Golden Era" for the next 7 years and spanning their next 5 albums. Also, the lyrical nature would focus much more so on history, war, literature and small bits of mythology here and there.

6/10 for the album.

Now, time to recap album scores:
1. Iron Maiden (1980): 8/10
2. Killers(1981): 6/10

That's 2/14 albums done so far, so I'm glad I got that through! Next time, we look at their 1982 effort, the multi-platinum (1x Platinum in both the US/UK and 3x Platinum in Canada, and it is somewhat disputed that it is 10x Platinum Worldwide and also reached #1 in the UK albums chart after its release) "The Number of the Beast" and easily their most controversial album and possibly one of the more controversy-laden albums of the 80's.

Alright, here we are again, with me reviewing Iron Maiden's most well known (I wouldn't say their best though, but still very good) album "The Number of the Beast" which of course most people would recognize the infamous album cover:

This in turn led to many right-wing groups to believe that Iron Maiden was satanic (Its been long proven that they aren't, hell their current drummer is Catholic and plays the title song with no problem, even if Steve Harris has admitted to having a strong distaste towards organized religon), even if the meaning behind the title track has been explained many times (Basically a retelling of a nightmare Steve Harris had concerning Satanism after watching "Omen 2")

The funny thing is though, that they thought of using the very same cover for a single "Purgatory" on their previous album but felt the cover was too sophisticated to use it on a single, so they saved it for this album.

Funny how things work out, eh? Let's get to the first song!

Song #1: Invaders

Bruce Dickinson's debut with Iron Maiden, and he puts on a rather impressive vocal effort as it opens very quickly along the rest of the song. It begins with a powerful drumming opening into a fast-paced riff with Bruce's lead vocals:

Longboats have been sighted the evidence of war has begun
Many Nordic fighting men their swords and shields all gleam in the sun
Call to arms defend yourselves get ready to stand and fight for your lives
Judgement day has come around so be prepared don't run stand your ground

They're coming in from the sea
they've come the enemy
beneath the blazing sun
the battle has to be won
Invaders ... Pillaging
Invaders ... Looting

Set ablaze the campfires alert the other men from inland
Warning must be given there's not enough men here for a stand
The Vikings are too many much too powerful to take on our own
We must have reinforcements we cannot fight this battle alone

You'd better scatter and run
the battle's lost and not won
you'd better get away to fight another day
Invaders ... Raping
Invaders ... Plundering

As you can see the lyrics appear to be about pillaging of various Norsemen who managed to go and pillage England. However, one thing I will note that Bruce's operetic style is very refreshing after Di'anno's raspy vocal style while cool at first, gets old especially on filler tracks. A breath of fresh air that was needed for the band, you might. Even if the chorus is a bit weak, the driving force behind it keeps it interesting throughout.

A great opening number for a great album.

8/10

Let's keep going, for the second song on the album, and the second best song on the album (The closer beats it out, but its hard to beat THAT song, I'm afraid :P).

Song #2: Children of the Damned

Yes, the song is based off of movie of the same title, which features six children with special powers who are pitted against the rest of the human race. Unfortunately, one by one each child is killed off, and the final one finally faces the humans himself as he is slowly burned away at a stake.

Musically, the song presents the same, sad, somber atomsphere with its slow acoustic/electric guitar harmony and Bruce's slow but powerful delivery just makes this a gripping and emotional song that just could not be any better.

He's walking like a small child
But watch his eyes burn you away
Black holes in his golden stare
God knows he wants to go home
Children of The Damned
Children of The Damned
Children of The Damned
Children of The Damned

He's walking like a dead man
If he had lived he would have crucified us all
Now he's standing on the last step
He thought oblivion well it beckons us all
Children of The Damned
Children of The Damned
Children of The Damned
Children of The Damned

Just the slow tempo of the song and the emotional but hard hitting and gripping riffs simply grab you and don't let go. Just DAMN.

Now it burns his hand he's turning to laugh
Smiles as the flame sears his flesh
Melting his face screaming in pain
Peeling the skin from his eyes
Watch him die according to plan
He's dust on the ground what did we learn

You're Children of The Damned
Your back's against the wall
You turn into the light
You're Children of The Damned
Like candles watch them burn
Burning in the light
You'll burn again tonight
You're Children of The Damned

Again, the way Bruce delivers those lines is just haunting, this is Iron Maiden at their best. Then comes the beautifully haunting solo at the very end of the song to lead into the final verse which ends the song. I mean, I just can't stop talking about how amazing this song is. It couldn't possibly be better, it couldn't!

10/10

Again, I"m on a spree so let's keep at it.

Song #3: The Prisoner

Not quite nearly as great as Children of the Damned but a solid track for a great album in of itself. The song is based off of the BBC program of the same name, even with the same intro (Not the full intro but cool nonetheless)!

We want.... information.... information.... information.....
Who are you? - The new number Two
Who is number one? - You are number Six
I am not a number! I am a free man!

Musically, the song is fairly fast and upbeat though if not a bit generic. Not a bad song mind you, just felt like I've heard something like this before many times. Although the Adrian Smith solo does feel quite inspired, riffs>solos as I always say.

However, the funny thing lyrically, is the "Prisoner" tries to escape the village and feels he does so only to return in the show. In Iron Maiden's 1984 release "Powerslave" they have a song called "Back in the Village" which is based also on this! They love their British shows it seems......

On the run kill to eat
You're starving now you're dead on your feet
Going all the way nature's beast
Do what I want as I please

I'm not a number I'm a free man
I'll live my life how I want to
You'd better scratch me from your black book
Cos I'll run rings round you

A nice song, but Maiden has better, as depicted by the last song we just did. Still, worth listening to once in a while.

7/10

Okay, I ignored this topic for a while, but let me get this on track!

Song #4: 22 Acacia Avenue

I always feel like this is one of the weaker songs on the album. Its not bad, but this song feels like it was really left off of Killers to me =/

Its very reminiscent of Di'anno era Iron Maiden instrumentally, except with Bruce on vocals instead. He does a fairly good job of delivering the vocal lines in this song though, giving an appropriate dark atmosphere that the lyrics call for.

It starts with a chugging intro similar to their S/t, Killers albums until Bruce's voice kicks in.

If you're feeling down depressed and lonely
I know a place where we can go
22 Acacia avenue meet a lady that I know
So if you're looking for a good time
And you're prepared to pay the price
Fifteen quid is all she asks for
Everybody's got their vice

If you're waiting for a long time for the rest to do their piece
You can tell her that you know me and you might even get it free
So any time you're down the east end don't you hesitate to go
You can take my honest word for it shell teach you more than you can know

Then the song undergoes a sudden tempo change right there. Lyrically, its obviously about a brothel called "22 Acacia Avenue" as mentioned in the song's title. The song is a continuation of the "Charlotte the Charlotte" saga, as it appears a person has been invited to the brothel by a friend and meets her but finds her lifestyle disgusting (Why he would see her lifestyle disgusting when he's already inside a brothel is beyond me... but let's not dwell on that) and attempts to change her apparently.

Charlotte cant you get out from all this madness
Cant you see it only brings you sadness
When you entertain your men don't know the risk of getting disease

You're running away don't you know what you're doing
Cant you see it'll lead you to ruin
Charlotte you've taken your life and you've thrown it away
You believe that because what you're earning
Your life's good don't you know that you're hurting
All the people that love you don't cast them aside
All the men that are constantly drooling
Its no life for you stop all that screwing
You're packing your bags and you're coming with me

As mentioned before, the song is very similar to their Killers era of metal, both instrumentally and lyrically, but its alright even if rescuing a prostitute from herself isn't lyrical matter that really wows me. But it works, so whatever.

Not bad, there's much better on this album, but still a good song.

7/10

And I want to finish up their first "Classic" album today! So here we are again!

Song #5: The Number of the Beast

Woe to You Oh Earth and Sea
for the Devil sends the beast with wrath
because he knows the time is short
Let him who hath understanding
reckon the number of the beast
for it is a human number
its number is six hundred and sixty six.

Ah, probably one of their most famous songs, if not the most controversial in their large catalog. The same song that caused religious figures to paint them as Satanists (Even though they aren't, actual Satanism isn't even Satan-worship. Metal bands in general just use Satanic imagery as a form of rebellion against authorities most of the time) throughout their career. Possibly the reason why they've had a hard time getting huge in US shores (They only have 1 album to ever crack the top ten in the Billboard 200, which is their most recent actually).

After that opening line that is pre-recorded, the song begins with Bruce giving his usual delivery and the guitar/bass bouncing about in the background while the song builds while Bruce goes through the verses.

I lived alone
my mind was blank
I needed time to think to get the memories from my mind

'Cause in my dreams
it's always there
the evil face that twists my mind and brings me to despair

As said before, the song just builds and builds up until the moment this song is mostly known for.......

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The famous "scream" is possibly the most known part of the song itself. The scream itself lasts for about 15 seconds as well (I'd say that's an impressive feat, I can't hold a scream for that long, no matter how hard I tried ._.). An interesting tale behind the scream itself, when the song was being recorded, Bruce was required to repeat the lines over and over until he got it perfectly down and he was forced to stay for hours on end, so he finally let out the same scream which was recorded at that moment. The band decided it was very fitting for the song itself 😛

Lyrically, for anyone that thinks this is rampant Satan-worship, read the god damned lyrics for crying out loud. The song depicts a person intrigued by evil, but finds it disgusting at first but the more he resists, the more he's entranced by it. One theme one could take away from the song is that people are always attracted to what is taboo, something that is still prevalent in our society today.

The song was inspired by Steve Harris after he watched "Omen 2" (He also has said its loosely based on the poem "Tom O' Shanter" as well) and had nightmares concerning stereotypical satanism. He found it somewhat amusing though, and made a song out of his nightmare. Little fun fact for you all

Night was black
was no use holding back
'Cause I just had to see
was someone watching me
In the mist
dark figures move and twist
was all this for real
or just some kind of hell
6-6-6 the Number of the Beast
Hell and fire was spawned to be released

I'm coming back
I will return
And I'll possess your body
and I'll make you burn
I'll have the fire
I'll have the force
I'll have the power
to make my evil take its course

Strangely enough, the song itself, despite the lyrics being what they are, is almost upbeat despite being about a person being seduced to the dark side. Which almost suggests to itself the idea behind the song being about nothing more than a dream, which it is. Bruce's vocals though, really do have a rawness throughout that does match the dark imagery shown throughout. Steve's bass playing is solid as well as the lead guitar duo of Adrian Smith and Dave Murray. Solid Track here. They have better songs, but this still is a really good song as long as you don't let yourself get sucked up in the "OMFG SATANIC" thing.

8/10

Song #6: Run to the Hills

Ah, another hit single that was released from the band that is very popular (Guitar Hero/Rock Band has this song, either right away or as DLC, I don't have either one so I'm not sure) and helped to make this album one of their most successful and paving their way for a slew of classic albums throughout the 1980's. This is one of their "Audience Participation" songs where obviously they get the crowd into it whenever possible.

It starts off with the well-known drumming beat (So easy to headbang to XD) until the guitars kick in along with the vocals soon after:

White man came across the sea
He brought us pain and misery
He killed our tribes, he killed our creed
He took our game for his own need

Riding through dustclouds and barren wastes
Galloping hard on the plains
Chasing the redskins back to their holes
Fighting them at their own game
Murder for freedom a stab in the back
Women and children and cowards attack

Obviously, looking at it, one can easily tell the song seems to be about the trail of tears, forcing the Native Americans further back from their homelands. Obviously I don't need to tell you how harsh that was.......

The song itself is rather catchy in of itself, especially the chorus, its hard to not sing along to that XD

Run to the hills run for your lives
Run to the hills run for your lives

Run to the hills run for your lives

The song ends with Bruce giving out a loud screech of the chorus as the song reaches its conclusion. Overall, its a fun, catchy song, and the live versions of it are amazing, the spirit and energy of the band just comes alive when listening to it live.

8/10

Song #7: Gangland

My least favorite song on the album, which is ironic because my absolute favorite comes right after this song. Gangland is just a filler track to me, very little else.

Shadows may hide you but also may be your grave
You're running today maybe tomorrow you'll be saved
You pray for daylight to save you for a while
You wonder if your children will face the killer's smile

In Gangland you tell no tales

Yup, I'm not going to bother talking about the song, its just rather boring. The guitars, bass, drums, and vocals just seem to go nowhere. They aren't bad, the individual pieces that is, but the way they come together is boring. I hate to say that about an Iron Maiden song, especially on one of their classic albums, but I don't like this song. I'm not going to bother looking through the lyrics for some meaning, you can do that.

5/10

Song #8: Hallowed Be Thy Name

My god, this has to be my favorite song ever. I literally mean that, not just the best Iron Maiden song, but period. This song is just...... epically amazing. I seriously consider this song epic (Despite being only about seven minutes long) just from the atmosphere and emotional and lyrical depth of it. Everything blends together so well on this track, there NEVER is a dull moment. This is not a headbanging song, or one to rock out to. No, this is a song that sends chills down your mother *ing spine. I could go on forever and fangasm over this perfect song. But I think we should just get to it.

The song starts eerily, with an a scary intro (I think its acoustic, never was an expert on what sounds on what equipment does what, just a fan :P) that proceeds with an ominous drumming clang that gives the impression of a bell ringing. Why is that important? Its gives a powerful foreshadowing of what is to come. Then, Bruce gives out a slow but amazing vocal delivery.

I'm waiting in my cold cell when the bell begins to chime
Reflecting on my past life and it doesn't have much time
Cos at 5 o'clock they take me to the gallows pole
The sands of time for me are running low

The song is about a man who is about to be hung at the gallows very shortly, and reflecting upon his last thoughts. Why is this special? That happens a lot. Well, there's a lot to consider as I'll explain shortly. After Bruce ends his delivery what can only be described as a riff of utter desperation (In a good way) proceeds until it speeds up the tempo and becomes the main riff of the song. And holy * does that riff just send chills down my spine. I mean, you can really feel the emotional despair just running off it, which is a key lyrical theme for this song.

When the priest comes to read me the last rites
I take a look through the bars at the last sights
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me

Somebody please tell me that I'm dreaming
Its not so easy to stop from screaming
But words escape me when I try to speak
Tears flow but why am I crying
After all I am not afraid of dying
Don't believe that there is never an end?

These lyrics may not be poetic, but damn do they get the job done when you combine them with the amazing atmosphere the music brings (I've always believed lyrics are only good when accompanied by fitting music).

Even though the man about to be hung, he acts as if he is not afraid but in reality he's ****ing himself senseless. I find it interesting that his crime is never mentioned once throughout this song. I would suppose its irrelevant, given the fact that at least Christianity deems all sins the same (Not sure about the other monotheistic beliefs but.....). Also, refusing to tell the listener what the crime is gives a sense of sympathy towards him in some cases, or perhaps we shouldn't feel anything for him, positive or negative. Being informed of his crime would lean us one way or another (Based on the severity of it). He also denies any wrong doing throughout the whole song, so that's possibly a reason why. As the song presses onward through a small instrumental section, he's about to be taken to where he will be killed.....

As the guards march me out to the courtyard
Someone calls from a cell God be with you
If there's a God then why has he let me die?

When you know that your time is close at hand
Maybe then you'll begin to understand
Life down there is just a strange illusion.

Again, these words may not be the most poetic but they hit hard. Although he questions the existence of god right before he going to go, it appears he finally comes to terms with himself. With what he comes to terms to, is up for interpretation. It really depends if you're religious or not (I've seen religious people think of it as giving in to Christianity, but being a person who isn't religious, I tend to have a different view). And that's what I love so much about this song, the ending is never told, we are simply left on a cliffhanger. He vows that he will see the truth when he dies (Won't we all? One way or another we'll find out who's right and who's wrong somehow). Also, I love the line "Catch my soul, cos its willing to fly away!" I don't know what it is about that line, I just love it.

Then, the song transitions over to the final portion of it, with a magnificent solo performed by Adrian Smith (A CRIMINALLY underrated guitarist, I might add) which leads to the same, haunting riff that has been used throughout the song and leads to the final line.

Hallowed Be Thy Name

And at that point, he is hung. His fate is unknown, left only to our imaginations to ponder what happened to him. Is Christianity right and did he accept it and go to heaven? Or did he reject it and go to hell? Or is Christianity nothing but a fallacy as he might have thought before and something else occurs? We'll never know.

Steve Harris mentioned in an interview that the song was about what would happen if your faith betrayed you in your last moments. Not faith in god or religion, necessarily, but faith in general. Take that as you will.

I'm sure this long fangasm will let you know why this is my favorite song of all time, I simply adore this song to death for its magical power, atmosphere, and lyrical and emotional depth.

10/10

I so wish I could rate it higher, 10/10 isn't a justification of how amazing this song is. In every sense of the word, this song is perfect.

Should have put it in before, but oh well, album recap!

Album: The Number of the Beast
Year: 1982
Songlist:
Invaders: 8/10
Children of the Damned: 10/10
The Prisoner: 7/10
22 Acacia Avenue: 7/10
The Number of the Beast: 8/10
Run to the Hills: 8/10
Gangland: 5/10
Hallowed Be Thy Name: 10/10

I would love to give TNotB a 10/10 album rating, but I just can't justify it, as much as I love Hallowed. The Prisoner, 22 Acacia Avenue, and Gangland are filler tracks that really bring the album down. I want to give it an 8.5 though, but I want to stick to whole numbers. I don't think this album is worthy of a 9/10 (I'd need at least half the album be full of 9/10 or better tracks for that) so it gets an 8/10. Still, a solid first in a new era for them.

Recap:

1. The Number of the Beast (1982): 8/10
2. Iron Maiden (1980): 8/10
3. Killers (1981): 6/10

Also, another note for the transition from The Number of the Beast to the next album, Piece of Mind. Drummer Clive Burr would depart from the band after this album and be replaced by longtime drummer Nicko McBrian. This would form the "Classic" Iron Maiden lineup for the group up until their 1988 album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. But we are not there yet!

But for now, 3/14 albums done! Now, we will be doing their 1983 effort, Piece of Mind, next time!

Aaaaand we're back here! Time to get the 4th album by Iron Maiden down and underway!

This is the first album with the classic lineup of Dickinson/Harris/Smith/Murray/McBrian all clicking together and their most consistent lineup so far. This would last for four more albums (Including this one) all the way up to what I consider their most experimental but best work nonetheless.

As for the album itself, Piece of Mind is considered a classic Maiden album for a reason, the first six tracks are all extremely solid. However, the next two after that kind of leave me scratching my head a bit..... but the last song saves the album in my opinion. Although I can't help but feel its one of the weakest of the Classic Iron Maiden albums (Being one of the weakest classics is never a bad thing though). I still think its a worthy album to go over and review though! So here we go!

So here we go with the album itself!

Song #1: Where Eagles Dare

Returning off the heels of the largely successful "The Number of the Beast" album is the opening number for its successor, "Piece of Mind", we have Where Eagles Dare.

The song starts off with a blistering drum solo to start off with and proceeds into a very fast riff while Nicko just nails away at the drums (The band even said when they saw him actually perform the drum solo for the first time they got exhausted from just watching!).

Obviously, the song is based off of the movie/novel of the same name and features one of Bruce Dickinson's most powerful vocal performances ever (His voice gets insanely high during various sections of the song). After the blistering drum solo and driving guitar riff/bass line channel through, Bruce opens his mouth and begins to sing:

It's snowing outside the rumbling sound
of engines roar in the night.
The mission is near the confident men
are waiting to drop from the sky.

Into the night they fall through the sky
No one should fly where eagles dare.

As mentioned before, Bruce just lets out a powerful scream "Where Eagles DARE!" and holds it until necessary to let the powerful riffing and drumming take over once more by the rest of the crew. Then, not long after comes in a long guitar solo followed by sound effects that sound like gunfire which heads on for quite a while until Nicko comes right back and just SLAMS on his drumset like a freaking madman. How you can't headbang to this is beyond me.

Then, the main riff comes back again and after a while Bruce gets another chance to sing:

They're closing in the fortress is near
it's standing high in the sky.
The cable car's the only way in
it's really impossible to climb.

They dared to go where no one would try
they chose to fly where eagles dare.

"They chose to fly where eagles DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE!"

I swear I love that part to death. Bruce's voice is just insane. After that last final, but epic part, the song comes to an end.

A great, great song, just drags on a bit longer than I'd like it to. Its about 6 minutes long while I think 5 minutes would have better suited it. That's all I can complain about in this song.

9/10

Again here we go!

Song #2: Revelations

Probably one of the best lyrically driven songs Iron Maiden has ever done (With the exception of Hallowed By Thy Name, Paschendale, and a few others)

An interesting note to make regarding this song in the liner notes:

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more Death. Neither sorrow, nor crying. Neither shall there be any more brain; for the former things are passed away."

Similar to the lines issued from the Book of Revelation just "Pain" is replaced with "Brain". Could that be saying something about the band's view on religon? Possibly, but, at the same time the album title is called "Piece of Mind" and the album cover features Eddie getting a lobotomy having his head removed, so it could also be a reference to that (Or maybe a double entendre? Who knows).

Regardless, I think its time to get to the song itself. The song begins at a very slow pace but with loud, pounding drums guitar and bass, all accenting each other. Not long after, the lyrics begin as Bruce begins to sing:

"O God of Earth and Altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die,
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride."

A bit of research (more like looking stuff up on wikipedia >.>) shows me that is a line from G. C. Chesterton. Interesting enough that they would choose a line from one of his works, but why is that relevant? I'll tell you in a bit......

The song continues on for a bit and we see a section of the song that seems to have a polar opposite lyrical meaning.

Just a babe in the black abyss,
No reason for a place like this,
The walls are cold and souls cry out in pain,
An easy way for the blind to go,
A clever path for the fools who know
the Secret of the Hanged Man-the smile on his lips.
The light of the Blind-you'll see,
The venom that tears my spine,
The Eyes of the Nile are opening-you'll see.

Bind all of us together,
Ablaze with Hope and Free,
No storm or heavy weather
Will rock the boat you'll see.
The time has come to close your eyes
And still the wind and rain,
For the one who will be King
Is the Watcher in the Ring,
It is You.

Now, what the hell does that mean? Well, thanks to this little site I found, I got an explanation of it! :O

Right here

Reading through it, it appears this song is a LOT deeper than meets the eye. Considering a good bit of this song is influenced by the writing of Aleister Crowley who was an atheist philosopher. The opening him was apparently written by a Christian Apologetic (One who tries to explain Christianity through rational reasoning). That's quite interesting, taking the two and putting them at odds with each other in the song itself.

The song even makes several references to Hindu beliefs as well... ("The Secret of the Hanged Man" from the site, a hanged man is a symbol of good luck, hence why he's smiling;"The eyes of the nile are opening you'll see" As said from the site, seems to imply that there are an infinite number of possibilities are open once the venom of the serpent makes its way into us. And unlike Christian mythology, Hindu beliefs consider the serpent to be related to creation and happiness, unlike where the christian ideals associate the serpent with evil deeds, and its a rather neat tie in with it being a Crowley influenced song itself). Not to mention the obvious Crowley reference from "She came to me with the serpents kiss" that appears in the song too.

I could go on and on about what I got from the site, but apparently the song describes things in a binary sense, good and evil exist only though the other (Possibly the reason for the opening hymn in the first place) instead of the "One size fits all" mentality Christianity has.

In that sense, the song seems rather Gnostic to me, almost. Very interesting idea and a very good song. Amazing lyrics, and great music, but the music could have been a bit better. Still, not complaining.

8/10

I need to remind myself to keep this running and not forget about it so often v_v

Well, to be fair, NaNoWriMo has been keeping me busy lately. But I haven't stopped doing this!

Song #3: Flight of Icarus

From the lyrically amazing track Revelations we come to a much more aggressive and faster song in Flight of Icarus. The song quickly begins with the main riff starting up as the opening lyrics are spoken:

As the sun breaks, above the ground,
An old man stands on the hill,
As the ground warms, to the first rays of light
A birdsong shatters the still.

Fly, on your way, like an eagle,
Fly as high as the sun,
On your way, like an eagle,
Fly and touch the sun.

Now the crowd breaks and a young boy appears
Looks the old man in the eye
As he spreads his wings and shouts at the crowd
In the name of God my father I fly.

On your way, like an eagle,
Fly as high as the sun.

Anyone familiar with the greek myth of the same name will instantly realize what this song is about. Although some alterations were made to the story to suit the song's purposes (Bruce Dickinson admitted this) to form that of a story of teenage rebellion that blows up in your face.......

Interesting way to put it I suppose. But the lyrics aren't what make this song amazing, the music is! That opening riff is just so goddmaned awesome! Not to mention the amazingly catchy chorus "FLY ON YOUR WAY LIKE AN EAGLE/FLY AS HIGH AS THE SUUUUUUUN!" not to mention Bruce hits some amazingly high notes, especially towards the end of the song Adrian's blazing yet inspired and emotional solo that NEVER fails to blow me away! The solo leads perfectly to the very end of the song where Dickinson lets out one final wail at the end "FLY AS HIGH AS THE SUN AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"

My only issue with this song is simple. Its too ****ing short. The song is just under 4 minutes long and that's really a killer because this is one amazing song that is really underrated within their discography. I would have loved for this song to have been fleshed out a bit longer, but it doesn't stop it from being completely amazing. It comes close to a 10/10 but its length keeps me from doing that so I have to take off a point.

9/10

Okay, I'm going to try and fit as many songs in here tonight as I can think of XD

Song #4: Die With Your Boots On

After the amazing treat that was FoI, we get a song that was a concert staple throughout the 80's even though it has fallen out of circulation (This is due to the band wanting to stick to newer material). But its still a great song anyway!

Another Prophet of Disaster
Who says the ship is lost,
Another Prophet of Disaster
Leaving you to count the cost.
Taunting us with Visions,
Afflicting us with fear,
Predicting War for millions,
In the hope that one appears.

If you're gonna die, die with your boots on,
If you're gonna try, just stick around,
Gonna cry, just move along,
If you're gonna die, you're gonna die.

The song starts out with a powerful driving riff that is repeated throughout before leading into the lead vocals of Dickinson shortly after. The song appears to be about situations that seem completely hopeless and even prophets are foretelling your demise. Well, the answer is "If you're gonna die..... Die with your boots on!" Obviously a metaphor but still a powerful if not simple one. Simply put, if you're going to lose, you might as well go out in a blaze of glory than to meekly accept defeat.

It also takes another turn, even criticizing a certain 13th Century French Philosopher for possibly inciting war through fear of their predictions (A fellow you may know as Nostradamus 😛 As far as I know though, he was wrong many more times than he was right, so its not as if such criticism is unwarranted). A powerful message even if it is simple. The song combines headbanging riffs alongside meaningful metaphors and the result is an early classic.

Also, some trivia, this song is the only one where you can hear anyone other than Bruce singing (During the Chorus, Bassist Steve Harris and Guitarist Adrian Smith who normally have backing vocals duty can be heard singing). I love this song but I don't think it quite fits 9/10 range I'm afraid. Its great, but wears out its novelty after so many listens as well.

8/10.

And now, we turn our pages to possibly the most mainstream Iron Maiden song ever, even referred to as the essential Iron Maiden song.

Song #5: The Trooper

Yes, very possibly their most famous song ever released, its even been released on GH/RB in various formats in the past, adding to its status as their most famous song. Is it their best? Not by a looooooooooongshot. I love this song, don't get me wrong, but there is no way in a cold day in hell this song even in my top 10 Iron Maiden songs. (It might barely sneak in my top 50... might.)

I would say its the essential Iron Maiden song though, it combines everything the band was known for in their heyday. Powerful, galloping bass lines riding along with tight and powerful drumming supporting the dual lead guitar harmony (Now triple, but that's after Janick Gers joined the crew) all alongside Bruce's soaring vocals. Its the formula they've used for a long time and its worked very well obviously, but there are so many more songs that are better than this one, I'm sorry

Of course, the live version (Only from what I've gathered watching live albums, I will see them live one day! Hopefully......) is just riddled with adrenaline (Bruce even waves the Union Jack around when he's not singing XD) is even better, but that's for another discussion. Onto the song itself!

You'll take my life but I'll take yours too
You'll fire your musket but I'll run you through
So when you're waiting for the next attack
You'd better stand there's no turning back.

And as I lay there gazing at the sky
My body's numb and my throat is dry
And as I lay forgotten and alone
Without a tear I draw my parting groan

Anyone who's familiar with the poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Lord Alfred Tennyson will quickly recognize the lyrics of this classic. Obviously, the crew read the poem and were so inspired by it that they thought to make a song of it! XD

Of course, this starts the series of war-related songs that fills a sizable portion of their discography (Being on the anti-war position obviously) and other political songs that deal with war itself (Such as "2 Minutes to Midnight" from the Powerslave album and "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" from the Fear of the Dark album!). The song itself however, is set in the Crimean War as the "Light Brigade" charges up against the Russians ever so bravely yet fails regardless and are all killed.

The lyrics explain the same situation, a lonely soldier meeting his end by Russian gunfire sadly by the time the song is over. A great song to capture an equally great poem indeed.

The song is very catchy and powerful, but I still feel that the song is very overrated but still a great song even being overrated!

9/10

Okay, I need to get back on regularly updating this -_-

Here is the next song from the album!

Song#6: Still Life

As soon as this song takes off, there is a small message said in the beginning, recorded backwards. This was a way to say "**** you" to the people that thought playing their records backwards would reveal satanic messages. It was a message by their drummer Nicko McBrian (Although what exactly it is, is beyond me at the moment, I don't quite feel like looking it up even though their wiki page has the answer).

Also, interestingly enough, this is the first Iron Maiden album not to have its title as a song, however the title of the album is mentioned in this song!

Honestly, lyrically, I have no flipping clue what this song is about, maybe some story or whatever that I can't find? I dunno, they're cool and all, and Bruce's vocal lines on this song are a bit different from the rest of the album (Especially when he says the line "Nightmares.... Will give me Piece of Mind!"

Musically though, it starts off really slow but picks up pace later on. The main riff is pretty cool, even though there are much better riffs to witness on this record. Still, its not bad plus bass/drumming is solid and a pretty cool solo to complement the song alongside Bruce's voice here.

Take a look in the pool and what do you see
In the dark depths, their faces beckoning me
Can't you see them it's plain for all to see
They were there, oh I know you don't believe me.

Nightmares...forever calling me
Nightmares...Now we rest in peace.

As you can see above, I have no clue what the lyrics mean but eh, its music that's the important part (Music > Lyrics) and its pretty good, but far from the best song on the album. A solid 8/10

Its been a week ugh, I need to get to this more often, I'm not even through Powerslave yet......

Song #7: Quest for Fire

Unfortunately, what has been a simply amazing album so far must be muddied down by this rather atrocious track, which is little more than a half-assed filler track to me. And that's fairly harsh criticism from a big Iron Maiden fanboy, but pretty accurate in my mind. The riffs are just really boring and uninspired to me, Bruce's vocals are kinda grating on this track and not to mention the lyrics are awful (Too bad the lyrics are the best part of this song). This does not keep the album from being amazing, but this is a track that should have never made it into the studio.

Lyrics if you care enough to read them:

In a time when dinosaurs walked the earth
When the land was swamp and caves were home
In an age when prize possession was fire
To search for landscapes men would roam.

Drawn by quest for fire
They searched across the land
Drawn by quest for fire
Discovery of man

3/10 only because Bruce hits some of the highest notes he's ever hit. They're kind of annoying though, but for a technical standpoint that earns some points but that doesn't keep this song from sucking.

I need to do these more often instead of just once a week -_-

Song#8: Sun and Steel

Okay, I can safely say this is far from one of my favorite IM songs =/
The lyrical matter is actually quite interesting (Japanese Swordsman/Writer Musashi Miyamoto) but musically it just feels like some silly attempt at being catchy in the end. Not really going to go in depth considering I don't really care for this song.
Pass.

Well, you killed your first man at 13,
Killer instinct, animal supreme,
By 16, you had learned to fight
The way of the warrior, you took it as your right.

Sunlight falling on your steel,
Death and life your ideal,
Life is like a wheel - and it's rolling still...

Boring riffs, tries too hard to be catchy, etc.
Not one of their shining moments, that's for sure.

3/10

Alrighty! Last song on the album and it really does make up for the past two abomonations on the album itself. Hope you enjoy 😛

Song #9: To Tame a Land

A vastly and criminally underrated gem in Iron Maiden discography, but possibly due to arriving after two of their half-assed efforts as well. This song continues the tradition of doing 1-2 epics per album that has been seen throughout their careers (Side note: Dream Theater covered this song on their special edition of their most recent album too )

Lyrically, although I've not read the source material, I can only assume that its accurate from what I've read, and it appears to be based on the Sci-fi novel "Dune". However, Iron Maiden wanted to call it that and even contacted the author, Frank Herbert for permission.

He basically pissed in their faces threatening to sue them if they named it that on the basis he doesn't like heavy rock/metal acts. What a gentleman............

This in turn forced them to rename it to "To Tame a Land," so as to avoid being sued by them. Obviously, they weren't happy about it, so I'll leave this little gem of a quote from lead singer Bruce Dickinson to let know their feelings on it.

"Next song is all about a gentleman who wrote a science-fiction book called Dune, this one (...). He's an American called Mr. Frank Herbert, this particular gentleman, alright? And Mr. Herbert, as it turns out, is a bit of a **** (Rhymes with punt :P) actually, because he... among other things he said that if we called this track that we wrote on the album 'Dune', that he'd sue us and stop the album coming out, and all kinds of very unpleasant things... So we had to re-title the track which is on the new album, and we had to call it 'To Tame A Land'."

Interesting. XD

As I said before, I'm not familiar with the novel so I'll leave the lyrics out for those that have:

He is the king of all the land
In the Kingdom of the sands
Of a time tomorrow.

The time will come for him
to lay claim his crown,
And then the foe yes
they'll be cut down,
You'll see he'll be the
best that there's been,
Messiah supreme
true leader of men,
And when the time
for judgement's at hand
Don't fret he's strong
and he'll make a stand,
Against evil and fire
That spreads through the land,
He has the power
to make it all end.

I love how Bruce's flow throughout out the song despite not really knowing what the lyrics pertain to XD

The song starts pretty slow but speeds up soon after and seems to have a strange.... "Flow" in various passages. Being music theory illiterate I can't really describe it, sorry

But one of the major highlights is Steve Harris' epic bass solo at around the 3 min. mark that always sends chills down my spine! Actually its quite similar to the bass solo seen in another epic of IM that will be discussed in the next album!

Overall, a very underrated song that isn't appreciated enough in my opinion. It closes out the album well even if the previous two songs were trash to me.

9/10

Album Review!
Album: Piece of Mind
Year: 1983
Where Eagles Dare: 9/10
Revelations: 8/10
Flight of Icarus: 9/10
Die With Your Boots On: 8/10
The Trooper: 9/10
Still Life: 8/10
Quest for Fire: 3/10
Sun and Steel: 3/10
To Tame a Land: 9/10

Those two songs really kinda bring this album down a hair, but considering they are late in the album I don't feel they hurt the flow that much, so the album gets a 9/10 from me. I really recommend checking it out!

Album Recap:

1. Piece of Mind: 9/10
2. The Number of the Beast: 8/10
3. Iron Maiden: 8/10
4. Killers: 6/10

And now we're back yet again! This time, we'll be checking out what is often disputed to be Iron Maiden's best release (And for good reason) and is often considered to be an essential album in the genre of heavy metal itself. And it certainly is one of my favorites as well. There is just a special magic to this album, it just has an aura of it, a feeling of magic, emotion, and splendor that makes this album much worth listening to. This is also pretty much the height of their popularity in the 80's metal craze.

Here we go, time to check out their fifth release, Powerslave

Song #1: Aces High

A very popular song at live concerts, this song kicks off an amazing album in such an amazing fashion! There is nothing like hearing the opening portion to the song (Its even better when the traditional Churchill's speech is included, not on the album version but live version's have this part).

Why in the world would Churchill's speech be included? Well, the song is about a RAF Pilot during the Battle of Britain in World War II, so I'd like to think that including that portion is rather fitting......

Anyway! Just, the song opens up in such an amazingly dramatic fashion but with a rather slow paced intro, but soon.... the speed just gets JACKED and its just..... OMGAWESOMESAUCE! m/

Steve's bass just keeps pounding mercilessly alongside the dual guitar attack and its just soooooooo amazing! Then Bruce's voice comes in just completes it!

There goes the siren that warns of the air raid,
Then comes the sound of the guns sending flak.
Out for the scramble we've got to get airborne,
Got to get up for the coming attack.

Jump in the cockpit and start up the engines,
Remove all the wheelblocks there's no time to waste.
Gathering speed as we head down the runway,
Got to get airborne before it's too late.

Dunno what it is, but when he's the frontman there's definitely a swagger behind them! I also love the freaking chorus here, dunno why but I do!

Running, scrambling, flying,
Rolling, turning, diving, going in again.
Running, scrambling, flying, Rolling, turning, diving,
Run, live to fly, fly to live, do or die.
Won't you run, live to fly, fly to live, Aces hiiiiiigh!

Just love that part <3
Not long after, Adrian's blistering solo comes in and for some reason unknown to me, almost always give me the impression of fighter pilots duking it out over the skies above. Never could figure out why but it complements the song perfectly.

Move in to fire at the mainstream of bombers,
Let off a sharp burst and then turn away.
Roll over, spin round to come in behind them,
Move to their blindsides and firing again.

Rolling, turning, diving,
Rolling, turning, diving, going in again.
Rolling, turning, diving, Rolling, turning, diving,
Run, live to fly, fly to live, do or die.
Won't you run, live to fly, fly to live, Aces hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh!

After the high falsetto screech, the song continues on for a little while until the song finally hits the end. And it ends exactly right when it should have. Its only about 4 minutes long but any longer would have been stretching it out. I just freaking love this song and its an excellent way to start off an album, for sure.
There just isn't anything like the sense of urgency that this song delivers, and does it just so well. I can honestly find no faults with this song.

10/10

Song #2: 2 Minutes to Midnight

Continuing onward from the amazing feat that Aces High was, is another brilliant piece from my favorite band from the country of England <3

One of my favorites off of the album itself, this song was written during the turbulent Cold War era and this song very much reflects that. Showcasing the corrupt politicians who only wish to use the people for their own greed and selfish desires and the eventual possibility that could happen as a result of them, this is obviously one of the band's most politically fueled songs they've done (Afraid to Shoot Strangers comes to mind but that's on a later album).

The title of the song itself, however, should be very well noted being a direct reference to the ever famous Doomsday clock which itself was used as a measurement of how close the world was to Nuclear holocaust during the cold war(If anyone recalls, it was 11:58. Exactly two minutes to midnight, hence the title of the song. Also, the song length is 5:59 which doubled is 11:58......)

Instrumentally the song uses the traditional intro but moves along quickly into Bruce's vocals soon after.

Kill for gain, shoot to maim
We don't need a reason
The Golden Goose is on the loose
Never out of season

2 minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
2 minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb

As I mentioned earlier, a bit gory, but it fits its own aim very well. Meanwhile, the song moves back to the main riff for but a second after the chorus but quickly heads into the next verse.

The blind men shout, "Let the creatures out
Let's show the unbelievers"
The napalm screams of human flames
Of a prime time Belsen feast, yeah!

2 minutes to midnight
The hands that threaten doom
2 minutes to midnight
To kill the unborn in the womb

Perhaps not the most subtle nor poetic method of getting their point across, but it gets made. But there are a few subtlies within the verse anyway! The "Prime Time Belsen Feast" actually refers to the Nazi-Germany containment camp of the same name, implying that if today, such similar atrocities were commited, NO ONE, would give a ****. A tad bit extreme, but given the state of the world today, I can't bring myself to disagree. Then the song slows down a bit, adding a bit of change of pace for a while. And I just love this slow-downed section, even though it somewhat endns abruptly and picks up pace back to the song's original speed soon enough.

Body bags and little rags
Of children torn in two
The jellied brains of those who remain
Put the finger right on you

Midnight, all night

The last bit of the song reminds us of a very scary alternative that the cold war could have easily taken for us, in the haunting final section. The constant chiming of "midnight" reminds us of the ever constant possibility for midnight to occur on the doomsday clock.

In the end, a very powerful and very amazing song to keep the album going strong

9/10

And we're back to continue onward with one of Maiden's most acclaimed albums :3

Song #3: Losfer Words (Big Orra)

Notice anything weird about the title of the song? Say it out loud. Yup, Losfer words means "Lost for words" implying that the song is just an instrumental piece. Actually, to date this is the final instrumental that the band has done which is a shame since this is a very good song and I really do feel they are capable of great instrumentals if only they did them more often (In terms of their best instrumental, I'd say that's Transylvania, but this song isn't far behind).

Instrumentally, the song is sound and despite there being no lyrics at all, there is a rather amusing chant by drummer Nicko McBrian at the beginning of the song :3
But back to the track, even with no lyrics I never get bored with this song, its just a really fun song to listen to all the way through. Despite the fact that Steve Harris for whatever reason could not find any lyricis to this song does not make it bad at all, in fact I think this song has a unique charm as an instrumental.

9/10

And we're gonna keep going steady here folks!

Song #4: Flash of the Blade

This song delves into the territory of sword fighting, inspired by lead singer Bruce Dickinson's interest in the subject to be honest. A subject that IM hadn't really delved too much into before, with the exception of "Sun and Steel" but that song was awful. A much better attempt at something like that this time around!

The song starts with a relatively "scratchy" guitar riff (Don't know how to describe it really =/) for a bit until Nicko's drums enter the mix along with the backing rhythm guitar to accent it. Not long after, Bruce starts singing about swordsmanship!

As a young boy chasing dragons with your wooden sword so mighty,
You're St. George or you're David and you always killed the beast.
Times change very quickly,
and you had to grow up early,
A house in smoking ruins and the bodies at your feet.

You'll die as you lived
In a flash of the blade,
in a corner forgot by no one.
You lived for the touch
For the feel of the steel
One man, and his honor.

Not much to speak about the lyrics, while not necessarily deep they get the job done for what the song is about. the middle instrumental section is pretty cool though and helps out with the song. Fairly cool song for a bit even if it does wear thin after a while but still good in the context of the album.

8/10

Song #5: The Duelists

Now, time for what in my opinion is the weakest song on the album but still that's not saying much on an album that is absolutely essential to the genre of heavy metal, now is it?

I think what the song suffers from the most is that its six minutes long and it should have been trimmed just a bit. I've nothing against long songs, in fact this album holds Iron Maiden's longest song ever (And one of my favorite songs by them to boot), but the length doesn't suit the song well and cutting off the last chorus/verse certainly would have made it better in my opinion.

He threw down a glove you made the mistake
Of picking it up now you're gone
The choosing of guns or fighting with swords
The choice of weapons is done
He'll tear you apart as soon as you start
You know you don't have a chance.

OH...OH...Fought the honour
Fought for the splendour
Fought for the pleasure
OH...OH...Fought for the honour
fought for the splendour
Fought to the death

As you can see, the song is also about the same thing as the previous song before. A tad bit weaker compared to the monster behemoths on this record. But its not a bad song, just could have been a lot better.

7/10

Now, we're really on a roll here!

Song #6: Back in the Village

Aha, if anyone remembers correctly, back at The Number of the Beast album, there was a song called "The Prisoner," based on the old show of the same name. This song is essentially a sequel to that, taking on the future events of the show. Now, I've never really watched it but according to wiki that's what it seems to be about.

I've not watched it myself, so I can't really say for sure. *Shrug*

Turn the spotlights on the people,
Switch the dial and eat the worm.
Take your chances, kill the engine,
Drop your bombs and let it burn.

Back in the village,
And I'm back in the village,
And I'm back in the village, again.

I really can't judge the lyrics considering I've never watched the show but as for the instrumental prowess of the song..... its decent. Nothing mind blowing though. Still a good listen when you spin the album in its entirety. Also, the song ends with a haunting cackle leading into the next track......

7/10

As the cackling from Back in the Village ends we are now presented into the title track from the album itself!

Song #7: Powerslave

One of my favorites from this album (Although it falls a tad bit short to the final number, you'll see later). The song takes on a bit of an Egyptian theme which is appropriate given what the song is about! As the album cover has Eddie being a sphinx and all, its not surprising that the title track would be about something related to Egypt. 😛

Its starts out with the opening riff slowly accenting Bruce's slow haunting singing

Into the Abyss I'll fall - the eye of Horus
Into the eyes of the night - watching me go
Green is the cat's eye that glows -
In this Temple
Enter the risen Osiris - risen again.

Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave
I don't wanna die, I'm a God,
Why can't I live on?
When the Life Giver dies,
All around is laid waste,
And in my last hour,
I'm a Slave to the Power of Death.

When I was living this lie - Fear was my Game
People would worship and fall -
Drop to their knees.
So bring me the blood and
Red wine for the one to succeed me,
For he is a man and a God -
And He will die too.

Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave
I don't wanna die, I'm a God,
Why can't I live on?
When the Life Giver dies,
All around is laid waste,
And in my last hour,
I'm a Slave to the Power of Death.

Obviously, we learn that the song is about a Pharaoh that has misused his power instituting a reign of terror over his own people and even believing that he is a god! He even questions why he must die at all, but that is the cycle of life, no matter what. In the end, he will be a slave to the power of death, just like everyone else!

Then, what comes after that is the simply BEAUTIFUL solo afterwards. Sure, its rather slow but the power it holds is just flat out *ing amazing and the change in pace doesn't seem forced in the slightest. Then, the solo speeds up after that and it still just seems to flow so naturally, not being forced or anything!

Afterwards, Bruce re-enters the song once more.......

Now I am cold but a ghost lives in my veins,
Silent the terror that reigned -
Marbled in stone
A Shell of a man God preserved -
For thousand ages,
But open the gates of my hell -
I'll strike from the grave

Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave
I don't wanna die, I'm a God,
Why can't I live on?
When the Life Giver dies,
All around is laid waste,
And in my last hour,
I'm a Slave to the Power of Death.
Slave to the Power of Death...
Slave to the Power of Death...

Ending with the final chorus, obviously no matter what the Pharoah does he will die and become a slave to the power of death. There is little to change that, but instead of using that time to make things nicer for his people he chooses power and abuse, even going so far as to even wish his successor to do the same! Signs of a person who is indeed a Powerslave..... fitting title for the track in that case!

Now the song also has a double meaning, or even triple depending on how you want to look at things. Onen, Bruce Dickinson has expressed a major distaste for the music industry and this song is sometimes said to be an allegory towards those feelings (The Pharaoh being the record industry giants taking in acts and chewing and spitting them out to get all the money they can out of them, and the record executives also acting as if they are gods!). But this song can also be attributed to the band themselves as they were getting even more popular around this time, with little end in sight.

Now, the song is just amazing, that solo just plain *ing rocks. Not to mention the haunting way the lyrics are delivered at the same time which definitely makes the concept of a pharaoh on his deathbed more believable!

A great piece, a song that should not be skipped over.

10/10

Okay, we're back on track! >_>

Time for possibly what would be my favorite Iron Maiden song if Hallowed Be Thy Name did not exist. Its also based on a very famous poem to boot.

Song #8: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Ah, my favorite track from the Powerslave album, what a way to end a classic album, wouldn't you say? An epic song based on a revered and epic poem to boot. And I think it does a good job considering the source material for the song. I mean just right off the bat the song carries an authoritative riff but it oh-so catchy at the same time! I can't help but hum out that riff every time I hear it! <3

Hear the rime of the Ancient Mariner
See his eye as he stops one of three
Mesmerises one of the wedding guests
Stay here and listen to the nightmares
of the Sea!

And the music plays on, as the bride passes by
Caught by his spell and
the Mariner tells his tale.

As mentioned before, the track being based on the poem, expect it to follow the story of the poem and it does very well in my eyes.
The story moves on, after the intro of the poem where the Mariner tells his sad, morbid tale.

Driven south to the land of the snow and ice
To a place where nobody's been
Through the snow fog flies on the albatross
Hailed in God's name,
hoping good luck it brings.

And the curse goes on and on and on at sea
And the thirst goes on and on for them and me

As you can see, the song now proceeds to the part of the poem where the curse is finally placed onto the Mariner and his crew for seemingly killing off the bird for no reason at all other than pride. However here is where the interesting transition within the song takes place. And too boot it off with a direct quote from the poem itself!

"Day after day, day after day,
we stuck nor breath nor motion
As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean
Water, water everywhere and
all the boards did shrink
Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink."

Those words, the way Bruce sings them, fits so perfectly with the rhythm of the riff itself. I don't know how its done, but sheesh I love how Iron Maiden does that! Then, in tune with the poem itself, the song takes a sudden turn into much darker territory as noted in the change of the song's pacing itself.

There, calls the mariner
there comes a ship over the line
But how can she sail with no wind
in her sails and no tide.

"One after one by the star dogged moon,
too quick for groan or sigh
Each turned his face with a ghastly pang
and cursed me with his eye
Four times fifty living men
(and I heard nor sigh nor groan),
With heavy thump, a lifeless lump,
they dropped down one by one."

I just love how the song turns so dark suddenly, Stave Harris' bass work really helps add to the atmosphere alongside the way Bruce just sings the lyrics so amazingly. And by now, those who are familiar with the poem will know that * is going down now with the curse, pretty much bringing the Mariner to his knees. And the haunting basswork used is just.... nothing short of amazing for what it does for this song's atmosphere.

Then afterwards, the song makes its way with a beautiful rising bass solo by Steve Harris along with Bruce's yet again awesome vocals.

[ii]The curse it lives on in their eyes
The Mariner he wished he'd die
Along with the sea creatures
But they lived on, so did he.

And by the light of the moon
He prays for their beauty not doom
With heart he blesses them
God's creatures all of them too.

Then the spell starts to break
The albatross falls from his neck
Sinks down like lead into the Sea
Then down in falls comes the rain.

Just that last part. My god. MY GOD. I mean, the bass work and vocals in how the interact with each other so PERFECTLY and create such a rising tension is just.... holy crap. I mean, Bruce's vocals leading up to the last line in that verse are so haunting yet so amazing.

"SINKS DOWN LIKE LEAD INTO THE SEA THEN DOWN IN FALLS COMES THE RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!"

Then, just HOLY *ING **** I NEED NEW PANTS!

Seriously, the song just EXPLODES QUITE LITERALLY! I mean just goddamn that is pure 110% concentrated awesomeness being unleashed up until.... ZOMGDUALGUITARSOLOS!!!!!

I mean..... it was awesome before that but the unprecedented attack of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith is just musical sex for your ears.
Hear the groans of the long dead seamen

Then the main riff just goes in and slightly builds up some more tension and Steve's bass is just so sexy in this song, I cannot comment on it enough <3

Then the riff from the beginning starts up again leading back to Bruce's singing.

See them stir and they start to rise
Bodies lifted by good spirits
None of them speak and they're lifeless in their eyes.

The Mariner's bound to tell of his story
To tell his tale wherever he goes
To teach God's word by his own example
That we must love all things that God made.
And the wedding guest's a sad and wiser man
And the tale goes on and on and on.

And it goes on until the conclusion of the long epic. Being Iron Maiden's longest song to date, clocking in at 13:38, I'd say its fair to call this song epic. I love this song and even the poem itself is very beautiful (Note that I have a rather significant distaste for Christianity yet this poem is one of my favorites ever. Go figure.)

If only Hallowed Be Thy Name did not exist, this would be my favorite Iron Maiden song. Also I think Samuel Taylor Coleridge would be proud of this song, but that's just me.

10/10

And now recap once again!

Album: Powerslave

Year: 1984

Aces High: 10/10

2 Minutes to Midnight: 9/10

Losfer Words (Big Orra): 9/10

Flash of the Blade: 8/10

The Duelists: 7/10

Back in the Village: 7/10

Powerslave: 10/10

Rime of the Ancient Mariner: 10/10

With 3 10/10 songs on it, little wonder why this album is considered a Heavy Metal classic, eh?

Album Recap!

1. Powerslave: 10/10

2. Piece of Mind: 9/10

3. The Number of the Beast: 8/10

4. Iron Maiden: 8/10

5. Killers: 6/10

And coming up will be their sixth album, "Somewhere in Time' once I get to it!

Okay and we're back and ready to do this again! This time, their sixth album "Somewhere in Time". This one is a bit of a departure from the pure heavy metal style of Powerslave, in that it starts to use guitar and bass synthesizers for the first time in an Iron Maiden release. And as the name itself implies, history and time are common lyrical themes within the album! Also the album was released right at their peak of popularity but I don't think its their creative peak quite yet

Let's get it started, shall we?

Song #1: Caught Somewhere in Time

The opening track starts with a bit of a synthish opening as predicted before! The guitar synth riff moves along for a bit and then suddenly launches into a typical Iron Maiden galloping riff before Bruce begins to sing rather interestingly.

If you had the time to lose,

Just let yourself go.

Honestly I have no clue what the lyrics mean XD

If I had to guess I'd say something about someone making a deal with the devil to be allowed to move through time? Eh, the lyrics aren't the high point of the song anyway. Then, it moves along to the chorus once more:

Caught somewhere in time

Caught somewhere in time ... oh oh

Then another galloping riff comes in and I have to wonder, how much stamina does Nicko have? Cause he's a really effing awesome drummer to keep up that gallop like that! It moves so perfectly with Steve's bass too! Then a rather lengthy but solid guitar solo comes in. A bit longer than necessary but its not bad. Then the main riff comes back into play for a bit before Bruce starts singing again:

Like a wolf in sheep's clothing,

Caught now in two minds!

As I said before, the lyrics really don't make much sense to me but the high point of the song is the furious galloping power of Steve Harris' bass guitar and Nicko McBrian's drumming!

Very nice song, lots of cool hooks, only thing that kills it is the really long guitar solo I really don't like. But still very good nonetheless!

9/10