It's been a while since I've done a blog, so here I go with the top 3 bands in my list of favorite bands. This next one is a legendary metal band, in my opinion the best metal band of all time. They started with one lineup and by the mid 80's only had the original bassist left. They gave heavy metal one of its first and most iconic mascots, the ever evolving, creepy and awesome creature known as Eddie. If you don't know who it is by now, it's time to Up the Irons!
#3 Iron Maiden
Bruce and the boys have kept Metal alive for over three decades now (although, between us, let's pretend the 90's never happened). Their recent movie Flight 666 shows that they can still kick major arse on stage. Their often thought provoking lyrics, intense and intricate instrumental work and Herculean vocals have earned the band an elite status amongst metal fans, and rightfully so. I recently made a list of 5 bands that I would love to have been a part of, and Iron Maiden was one of them. Maiden is essential listening for anyone interested in hard rock or metal. From their early punk-like intensity to their world conquering epics, the boys have proven time and again that they are the greatest metal band of all time. Here's to Bruce, Dave, Adrian, Janick, Nicko and Steve A.K.A. Iron Maiden
Top Albums:
#5 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Sure, this was possibly Maiden's softest album due to the use of Synths but Maiden did not settle for making pop songs, unlike some of their peers. The songs here are among their finest. Moonchild starts off with an ominous verse with an acoustic backing before exploding into a really cool synth section with guitars a blazin'. Infinite Dreams is among Maiden's best ballads. Can I Play with Madness is energetic and fun, a bit of a departure from their typical dark sound. The Evil That Men do is one of my all time favorite Maiden tracks and has their signature galloping bassline and a killer chorus. The title track is epic and majestic, very strong atmosphere to it. The album ends with Only the Good Die Young which features a reprise of the verse that opened the album.)
#4 Piece of Mind (Maiden's second album with Bruce Dickinson, and the first album to feature theessential lineup. It is a strong album, even if it does feel like Number of the Beast part 2. Where Eagles Dare is a powerful opener based on a 1968 WWII spy film. Revelations dispels any rumors that Maiden are Satanists. Flight of Icarus is a catchy rocker based on the myth of the boy who flew too close to the sun on wings of wax. Die with Your Boots On is another great rocker. The Trooper is one of the essential Heavy Metal songs with an awesome riff and solo. It's so good that I'll even forgive it for having Russians as the villains. Still Life contains the album's name as one of its lyrics. To Tame a Land is one of Maiden's underrated album closers. It took me a while to appreciate it.)
#3 Number of the Beast (The album that earned Maiden its notoriety. I never really cared for Invaders, but it's an energetic opener. Children of the Damned is a great anthem. The Prisoner, based on the TV show, is another adrenaline pumping rocker with a great chorus. 22 Acacia Avenue is part 2 of the story of Charlotte the Harlot. The title track has earned Maiden some fierce enemies (religious groups) but has one of the most iconic opening passages in all of Metal. C'mon, Bruce's "Yeah" is f'ing legendary. Run to the Hills is the big single off the album that puts the mistreatment and slaughter of the Native Americans at center stage. And the album closer is the gothicmasterpiece Hallowed Be Thy Name, possibly the best Metal song ever written. The slow opening and orgasmic conclusion make this the best 7:11 of your life, or end of it.)
#2 Iron Maiden (The self titled album that started it all. This is noticeably different in soundfrom the later albums due to the raw production, punkish lead singer Paul Di'Anno and original line-up, more or less. Prowler is an immediate, in your face rock song with a great riff and vocals. Remember Tomorrow shows Maiden's softer side with subdued melodies combined with the occasional heavy riff. Running Free is the most mainstream and straight-forward rocker Maiden ever made, and a damn catchy one. Phantom of the Opera is the album's epic, really raw and awesome riffing. Transylvania is one of Maiden's few instrumentals, probably the best one. Strange World has great lyrics. And of course, Iron Maiden, the album's title track and the band's calling card is a great rocker and closing track.)
#1 Powerslave (The most epic album Maiden ever made, before A Matter of Life and Death, is also my favorite. This was Maiden at its absolute peak. They perfected the formula that they began with Number of the Beast and refined with Piece of Mind. Aces High is a high velocity opener, probably the best NWOBHM album opening track besides Ace of Spades. Two Minutes to Midnight was the first Maiden song I ever heard and features one of their best guitar solos. Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) was Maiden's final Instrumental, and a strong one at that. Flash of the Blade has an awesome opening riff. The Duelists has a great gallop to it. The title track is one of Maiden's best songs ever and is about the idea of a leader being treated like a god while alive, but in the end he ends up being no less susceptible to death than a commoner, a "slave to the power of death". Rime of the Ancient Mariner, based on the poem by Coleridge, is the most epic Maiden song ever. 13.5 minutes of outstanding guitar, drums, bass and vocals. Definitely an homage to 70's Prog rock and an amazing end to a heavy metal landmark.)
Top Songs:
10) Number of the Beast (I used it in one of my videos. That scream is awe-inspiring.)
9) Two Minutes to Midnight (My first Maiden song.)
8 ) The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (Really heavy riff after a slow intro, Maiden is still rockin' in 2000's)
7) Killers (Killer song from the second album, no pun intended)
6) Fear of the Dark (Great crowd song)
5) Prowler (Who says Maiden needed Bruce to rock?)
4) Alexander the Great (Great atmosphere and instrumental passages)
3) Rime of the Ancient Mariner (EPIC!!!)
2) The Evil That Men Do (Turn up the speakers and blast it full volume.)
1) Hallowed Be Thy Name (The Ultimate Metal Song.)