Hemicidal
11-28-04, 05:20 PM
THE YEAR WAS 1982, and one couldnt help but get the feeling that Judas Priest just knew that the English Metal bragging rights belonged to them, and them alone, and why not...Certainly, Iron Maiden and Killers (though fine albums) did nothing to threaten their reign, but oh my how the tables turned when 'The Bruce' joined the ranks, and Priest, finally, had another thing coming...No one can dispute that MTV was an enormous help in pushing pure-metal bands into the mainstream, as well as a bunch of others that we wish we could forget, but if you were the least bit visual, it was primetime baby...True, Iron Maiden werent your typical (anything but) metal band...They didnt chunk and tank like Priest, and their bassist was just way too busy, right..?
Steve Harris is the numero uno reason Maiden ever saw the light of day in the first place, and that is by no means taking ANYTHING away from Dickenson, Murray, Smith and Burr (later McBrain), who are all stellar at their jobs, but it was the songwriting that set Maiden apart, and kept them there...Bruce however, was just the right visual frontman that the band needed to establish themselves as challengers to the Priest kingdom, and did it EVER work...When I think of 80's metal, Iron Maiden is the first thought that pops into my head, and Dave Murray's lead solos will still tear your head off...Many bassists had been extremely recognizable, like McCartney, Bruce, Lee, and $immon$, but it was Harris who got the respect of the metal fan, and musician alike, with his freight-train busy fingering style, and his killer backing vocals, and it was he, that put Maiden where they are today, on top!
1. Invaders (Harris) Excellent...
2. Children Of The Damned (Harris) Even Better...
3. The Prisoner (Harris/Smith) Unusual and haunting...
4. 22 Acacia Avenue (Harris/Smith) Very Cool...
5. The Number Of The Beast (Harris) One of the best Metal songs ever...
6. Run To The Hills (Harris) Heavy Metal classic...
7. Gangland (Smith/Burr) Very good...
8. Total Eclipse (Harris/Murray/Burr) Different but good...
9. Hallowed Be Thy Name (Harris) The sleeper cut...
RATING:10+
Rob Graves
Steve Harris is the numero uno reason Maiden ever saw the light of day in the first place, and that is by no means taking ANYTHING away from Dickenson, Murray, Smith and Burr (later McBrain), who are all stellar at their jobs, but it was the songwriting that set Maiden apart, and kept them there...Bruce however, was just the right visual frontman that the band needed to establish themselves as challengers to the Priest kingdom, and did it EVER work...When I think of 80's metal, Iron Maiden is the first thought that pops into my head, and Dave Murray's lead solos will still tear your head off...Many bassists had been extremely recognizable, like McCartney, Bruce, Lee, and $immon$, but it was Harris who got the respect of the metal fan, and musician alike, with his freight-train busy fingering style, and his killer backing vocals, and it was he, that put Maiden where they are today, on top!
1. Invaders (Harris) Excellent...
2. Children Of The Damned (Harris) Even Better...
3. The Prisoner (Harris/Smith) Unusual and haunting...
4. 22 Acacia Avenue (Harris/Smith) Very Cool...
5. The Number Of The Beast (Harris) One of the best Metal songs ever...
6. Run To The Hills (Harris) Heavy Metal classic...
7. Gangland (Smith/Burr) Very good...
8. Total Eclipse (Harris/Murray/Burr) Different but good...
9. Hallowed Be Thy Name (Harris) The sleeper cut...
RATING:10+
Rob Graves