This is “From The Archives” a feature where we take a trip back to a previous decade and discuss an album! We will talk about highlight tracks that should not be missed. As well as reasons why we think the album was so influential and successful.
The Album Breakdown
The 1984 album by Iron Maiden was pretty significant for a few reasons. Firstly it was the first album to feature the exact same line-up as the album before it! That line-up being (Dickinson, Harris, Murray, Smith and McBrain).
Secondly the band became massively superstitious about a ladder! Their studio equipment broke due to air conditioning failure. It started working again once the repairman brought his ladder in… Convinced of the pyramid shape of the ladder held magic powers they forced the repair man to leave it behind for the rest of the recording.
Considered a masterpiece of metal it was written in just 6 weeks in Jersey. Hmm not quite true the 24hr bar was used for 4 weeks of that before a scramble to finish it in 2 weeks that followed. Still what a result!
Highlight Tracks
It opens will real full ferocity. To be honest it never really loses it either. If you had to picture aerial combat in music form then to be honest the band absolutely nailed it! Exhilarating riffs and a rhythm that gallops along, this is heavy metal… To this day still a fantastic live track too!
While the previous song is a sprint to the finish, 2 minutes to midnight takes it time. Built around one of metal’s most recognisable riffs it tackles war, politics and humanities want to basically collapse on itself. It balances a huge chorus with really sharp social commentary that is pretty unique in the Iron Maiden catalogue.
Other Notable Albums From The Band
The Number Of The Beast
Fear Of The Dark
Piece Of Mind
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