Iron Maiden
Last year’s first batch of
Iron Maiden remasters charted the band’s rise and breakthrough over a four-record run invariably regarded by fans as a high-water mark. This second quartet documents the period in which the platinum streak begun by The Number Of The Beast continued, as relentless touring propelled them into rock’s major league worldwide.
Powerslave (9/10) opens with the tooth-loosening combination of Aces High and Two Minutes To Midnight, the former’s twin-guitar harmonies and the latter’s razor-edged riff both undergirded with synchronised rhythm fills from Steve Harris and Nicko McBrain, and overlaid with Bruce Dickinson’s vicious vocal attack. Twin swashbucklers Flash Of The Blade and The Duellists showcase intricate guitar harmonies from Smith and Murray, and long-form epic Rime Of The Ancient Mariner brings down the curtain with a showstopping flourish.
Somewhere In Time (7/10) cemented Maiden’s popularity, hitting the bullseye dead-on with the title track’s frantic gallop and Wasted Years’ huge chorus, but floundered somewhat with Alexander The Great, a formulaic revisit to Ancient Mariner territory.
The conceptual Seventh Son Of A Seven Son (8/10) distils Maiden’s key strengths into topflight songs, by turns aggressive (Moonchild), progressive (Infinite Dreams) and infectious (Can I Play With Madness).
Runt of this litter No Prayer For The Dying (6/10) is marred by lacklustre material (for example Tailgunner’s rehashing of Aces High), but redeemed by deep cuts Public Enema Number One and Fates Warning, and shoutalong chart-topper Bring Your Daughter…To The Slaughter.