Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: March 26, 2002
• Label: Metal-Is Records
• Copyright: (P) 1998 Iron Maiden Holdings Ltd. Under Exclusive License To Sanctuary Copyrights Ltd.
• Total Length: 40:38
• Genres: Alternative Rock/New Wave & Post-Punk, Hard Rock & Metal/British Metal
• ASIN: B001BEE6WW
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (128 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Metal's Old-School Classics!, October 9, 2004

By 

K. Brown "El Rudo Lucky Pierre!" (Walnut, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Iron Maiden (Audio CD)

While Bruce Dickinson is THE voice of Iron Maiden, I think Paul DiAnno's contribution during the early Maiden years is too often overlooked. "Phantom of the Opera" and "Sanctuary" are the first great tunes that turned me on to Iron Maiden, and alerted me to just what an incredible group they are.

I won't go as far to say that I like DiAnnio over Dickinson... there is nobody in all of heavy metal that could reproduce that melodic war-cry of a voice he lets rip! But DiAnnio was unique, and left enough of an impression on this album that I think he deserves a bit more of a nod than he gets.

If you have only heard the highlight CDs of Iron Maiden like "Number of the Beast" and "Powerslave," believe me, you are missing out. Those albums are excellent, true. This album is one of the finest beginnings of any band in the this genre of music.

"Phantom of the Opera" is such a unique piece in the heavy metal tunes of that era. There are so many terrible metal lyrics from that era, which makes this great song stand out. The combo of common mental torment, silent film references, and the classic Maiden guitar licks make everyday domestic-despair sound like gothic horror.

One of those rare albums that is every bit as good as Iron Maiden's later efforts! Worth the time and dough!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Iron Maiden wants you for dead!, May 28, 2002

By 

The Wickerman (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iron Maiden (Audio CD)

This is the album that started it all. Iron Maiden's fantastic debut. It's not exactly the Maiden we all know and love today, but it's still a solid debut, one of the best ever. Paul DiAnno has a much different vocal delivery than Bruce, more rough and aggressive, but it still works. And, he's also an excellent singer, as you will see on such tracks as "Remember Tomorrow" and the surprisingly soft "Strange World" (one of the few Maiden songs that never gets heavy).

The musicianship is excellent here. The music itself sounds like a cross between 80's punk and Deep Purple. However, the technicality is taken up a notch. Even without Adrian Smith, the guitars still blaze like a wildfire. Steve Harris puts on what may be his best performance to date. He is truly one of the best bassists in rock. He even gets a couple of brief solo spots. Nice drumming from Clive Burr. He's not as techinically proficient as Nicko, but he may be a bit faster.

The music is generally not as epic (most of the songs are under 4 minutes), but they're still great. Standouts would have to be "Prowler", "Phantom of the Opera", the aforementioned ballads, the awesome instrumental "Transylvania" (check out Iced Earth's album "Horror Show" for their incredible cover of the song), and of course "Iron Maiden". But I don't think there's a bad song here.

I don't think this album can stand up to the later work with Bruce, but it's still great stuff, one of the best albums of 1980. I personally think it destroys "British Steel" and "Back in Black", even if those two (great) albums were much more commercially successful. While it would have been alright (or as Paul would say, "olroight") if they had kept Paul and made a bunch of albums like this, I for one am glad they got Bruce. But, it's a shame that Paul never really did much after this. He's very talented. Anyway, this is a great album, and every Maiden fan needs to hear where it all began.

UP THE IRONS!!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT START FOR A GREAT BAND!!!, September 16, 2002

By 

"relykk" (Albany, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iron Maiden (Audio CD)

Here is the album that introduced the world to Iron Maiden. They were a new band. A different band. One that dared to enter a world that was peppered with punk rockers and play a completely different style of music. They would later grow into one of the most sucessful bands in history. But in this album, they are captured only as a new band struggling to compete with the other bad boys. None of them knew what was to come.
The album kicks of with the ever popular (and catchy) Prowler, which is an absolute masterpiece in itself. The next song, Sanctuary, was not originally released with the album, but this first attempt still charted at # 4! Iron Maiden's first singer, Paul Di'anno and, of course, Steve Harris team up to create the third tune entitled Remember Tomorrow. It starts out quiet and serene, but bursts into a wild frenzy as only Iron Maiden can do. Track 4 is possibly one of Maiden's greatest songs called Running Free. It is an incredible song that displays all of Maiden's talent. The next song is the perfect, the awesome and amazingly astounding Phantom of the Opera. No words can describe the sheer power and flowing rhythm of this one. It starts out in a rather common way, but launches into a full and ecstatic whirlwind of music. Paul Di'anno is not needed for the next song because it is Transylvania, which happens to be instrumental. It focuses purely on the musical abilities of Maiden, which are demonstrated so well in this tune. Then comes a different side of Iron Maiden. A calm and quiet song named Strange World. Light taps on the cymbals and gentle fills on the drums make for a perfect background for the painstaking guitar work. Charlotte the Harlot has a touch of uniqueness, possibly because it was written by Guitarist Dave Murray. It, like Porwler, is quite catchy and a smashing piece of work. Then comes the anthem of the band and the title track. Iron Maiden is so simple, yet it doesn't compromise the song at all. In fact, Iron Maiden is still one of my favorite tunes. Iron Maiden can't be fought. Iron Maiden can't be sought. You have to listen to it. Do no hesitate to buy the only album that includes Iron Maiden's first guitarist. Get the album that came before Bruce and Nicko, when Paul Di'anno had the microphone and Clive Burr controlled the beats.
And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, guess what? It actually gets better!! If you have the capabilities to access the CD extra, you can view exclusive footage of Iron Maiden playing live at the Rainbow in London in 1981. The two clips are of Phantom of the Opera and Iron Maiden. The video from which they are taken is called Live at the Rainbow. It is very rare (I found a copy on eBay) but this CD gives you the unique opportunity to see Iron Maiden in one of their first concerts. It's to cool not to get!!