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Couple of Iron Maiden related questions.

Started by Magnetica, 12 November, 2017, 06:35:49 PM

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Magnetica

As I have posted on other threads Iron Maiden have been working their way up my list of favourite bands. Right now they sit just about at the top (or Manic Street Preachers depending on how much I have been listening to them.)

Given that I have been reappraising them and have even listened to The X Factor and Virtual XI properly for the first time (it's only taken 20 odd years) and actually they are not that bad once you get used to Blaze Bayley not being Bruce Dickinson.

So my questions are:

1. Is it worth getting Bruce Dickinson's solo albums? I bought Tattooed Millionaire when it came out but thought it was only alright.

2. What about Maiden's live albums? I have Live after Death but haven't listened to it in years as I have it only on vinyl and have no means of playing it. As I understand it Rock in Rio has a cracking version of Sign of the Cross with Bruce on vocals( a song I have only just become aware of.)

3. What about other Maiden solo albums / members playing in other bands e.g. Adrian Smith in  Psycho Hotel?

So any thoughts/ recommendations?

Greg M.

Quote from: Magnetica on 12 November, 2017, 06:35:49 PM
Given that I have been reappraising them and have even listened to The X Factor and Virtual XI properly for the first time (it's only taken 20 odd years) and actually they are not that bad once you get used to Blaze Bayley not being Bruce Dickinson.

So my questions are:

1. Is it worth getting Bruce Dickinson's solo albums? I bought Tattooed Millionaire when it came out but thought it was only alright.

Accident of Birth, The Chemical Wedding (both with Adrian Smith) and Tyranny of Souls are all absolutely brilliant. For many people, The Chemical Wedding is one of the highpoints of Bruce's career - I personally lean towards Accident, which is one of my favourite records and far superior to anything Maiden were doing at the time. Skunkworks isn't quite as good, but is far better than it's given credit for - songs like Solar Confinement and Inertia are excellent. Balls to Picasso's not bad, though Tears of the Dragon massively outshines everything else on the album.

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2. What about Maiden's live albums? I have Live after Death but haven't listened to it in years as I have it only on vinyl and have no means of playing it. As I understand it Rock in Rio has a cracking version of Sign of the Cross with Bruce on vocals( a song I have only just become aware of.)

They undoubtedly have too many live albums, but I do like Maiden England, with its heavy focus on Seventh Son-era material.

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3. What about other Maiden solo albums / members playing in other bands e.g. Adrian Smith in  Psycho Hotel?

Psycho Motel is sort of all right, not amazing. Adrian's ASAP project is not great. Steve Harris's British Lion are interesting - their existing album is not well produced, and I don't think the singer's a great fit, but I saw them live a while back and they had more fire about them, and played some good (as yet unreleased) songs which I felt were better than the stuff on the debut.

dweezil2

Rock In Rio is probably my favourite live Maiden album, it even surpasses Live After Death in my estimations.

Dickinson returning after the long hiatus gave the band a real renewed energy and vigor and this live recording captured it perfectly!
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dweezil2

On a comic related note, I'd recommend picking up the Legacy Of The Beast comic book too-bit of a convoluted start, but I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes and the art is great!  :)
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"He's The Law 45th anniversary music video"
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Taryn Tailz

Quote from: dweezil2 on 15 November, 2017, 11:46:05 AM
Rock In Rio is probably my favourite live Maiden album, it even surpasses Live After Death in my estimations.

Dickinson returning after the long hiatus gave the band a real renewed energy and vigor and this live recording captured it perfectly!

The sheer volume of noise created by the massive crowd at 'Rock in Rio' also adds a lot to the live album.

dweezil2

Quote from: Taryn Tailz on 16 November, 2017, 01:28:07 AM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 15 November, 2017, 11:46:05 AM
Rock In Rio is probably my favourite live Maiden album, it even surpasses Live After Death in my estimations.

Dickinson returning after the long hiatus gave the band a real renewed energy and vigor and this live recording captured it perfectly!

The sheer volume of noise created by the massive crowd at 'Rock in Rio' also adds a lot to the live album.

Totally agree!  :thumbsup:
Savalas Seed Bandcamp: https://savalasseed1.bandcamp.com/releases

"He's The Law 45th anniversary music video"
https://youtu.be/qllbagBOIAo

shaolin_monkey

I'd steer clear from the Rio video though. The editing is awful!! Steve should stick to playing bass.

But yeah, great album. It'll always be Live After Death for me though - that was my era. Best live album ever made, by anyone, as far as I'm concerned.