Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Good bangers. Was impressed
Loud and in your face! Great album with some slappin riffs and guitar work (and can't forget about the awesome basslines as well!)
I like the big famous tracks but not really a fan of the genre.
Not bad
First time hearing the first Iron Maiden. Honestly only ever listened to Run for the Hills and Trooper. I dug it a lot, and will revisit again sometime.
Can truly hear, even through the production the impact this album has had within any kind of melodic metal. If Black Sabbath had the blueprint for doom, Iron Maiden had the blueprint for power. Solid debut album held back by production but that also adds onto the charm. I'd have to give a 7.5/10
Fucken rules
I understand the importance of the album then. I don't understand the importance of the album now. It's not bad at all, but it's been done a lot better later. Favorite song: Iron Maiden.
Ok
Love the instrumentals and the vocals Vibes - very energetic, makes you want to move your head :) 4/5
Pretty great, enjoyed the album
This list is trying to make me metalhead, and it's so working. This rips the whole way through,starting strong and only getting better.
Honestly fucking epic. One of those albums that sounds a bit corny but that’s only because there’s been so many imitations of it that it diluted the initial impact. Crazy that despite that it still hits
Now I know what Wheatus was on about
I liked this way more than I thought I would. I always thought there were going to be some crazy scream metal band or something, based on their name and album covers. But they turned out to be pretty fun. Prowler starts us of with a decent song, but some great guitar shredding. Remember Tomorrow is nice and smooth. Strange World also has some great guitar work. The rest of the songs are all right. All in all though, a good time. Best song: Remember Tomorrow
pretty fya
Interesting, some metal you can see the connections- i.e Sabbath's first is pretty bluesy, this one sound like thin lizzy just a little faster and louder and can definitely see the lines afterward to to metallicas ballady stuff. Love the Eddy gimmick. Who's corpse should he stand over now?
I really enjoyed it although I was very different from other iron. I’d listen to. Really strong debut album, you can really feel the structure of what Iron Maiden became. I’m wondering if the singer changed or if he just changed his voice. Great listen would listen again
2,5
Icónicos. Sin Iron Maiden no habría un después, trazaron sendas insospechadas
Eddie’s still in diapers, but the chaos is real.
I've heard very little Iron Maiden. I was not expecting this album to be so lush, interesting, and full of instrumental sections. The Prog influence and a variety of tempos results in a dynamic Heavy Metal experience I really enjoyed.
## In-Depth Review of *Iron Maiden* by Iron Maiden Iron Maiden’s self-titled debut album, released in 1980, is a landmark in heavy metal history. It not only introduced the world to the band’s raw energy and unique style but also laid the foundation for what would become one of the most influential careers in metal. Below is an analysis of the album focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with its pros and cons. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Iron Maiden* are a mixed bag. While they showcase a youthful exuberance and raw creativity, they lack the depth and sophistication that would later define Iron Maiden’s work. Tracks like "Prowler" and "Charlotte the Harlot" focus on gritty urban themes with a punk-like attitude, reflecting the band's early influences. On the other hand, songs such as "Phantom of the Opera" hint at the epic storytelling style that bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris would refine in future albums. The lyrics here explore themes of mystery and grandeur, making it one of the album's standout moments[1][2]. However, some tracks feel underdeveloped lyrically. For instance, "Running Free" features a straightforward narrative that lacks complexity, making it more of a crowd-pleaser than a lyrical masterpiece[2][3]. Overall, while the lyrics are serviceable for a debut album, they don’t yet reach the poetic heights Iron Maiden would later achieve. --- ### **Music** Musically, *Iron Maiden* is a dynamic blend of punk energy and heavy metal precision. The album is brimming with technical guitar work from Dave Murray and Dennis Stratton, whose solos are both intricate and emotionally charged. Steve Harris’s bass playing stands out as particularly innovative for its time; his galloping rhythms add a progressive edge to tracks like "Phantom of the Opera" and "Transylvania"[2][3]. The drumming by Clive Burr is another highlight. His crisp execution drives the tempo on tracks like "Prowler" and "Iron Maiden," showcasing his ability to balance aggression with technical skill[3]. The instrumental track "Transylvania" is a showcase for the band’s musicianship, featuring complex arrangements that influenced future thrash metal bands[2]. However, some tracks suffer from inconsistency in composition. For example, "Strange World," while atmospheric, feels out of place due to its psychedelic tone—a departure from the raw energy that defines most of the album[2][3]. Additionally, while "Running Free" has an infectious groove, its simplicity makes it less compelling compared to other songs. --- ### **Production** The production of *Iron Maiden* is raw and unpolished—both a strength and a weakness. Will Malone’s production captures the band’s live energy effectively but lacks refinement. Steve Harris’s bass is prominent in the mix, adding power to the overall sound without overshadowing the guitars[2]. The drums are crisp and punchy, complementing the aggressive guitar riffs. However, this rawness comes at a cost. Some tracks feel unevenly balanced, with certain elements (like vocals) occasionally buried in the mix[3]. While this unpolished sound gives the album a retro charm that fans appreciate today, it pales in comparison to later Iron Maiden albums produced by Martin Birch. --- ### **Themes** Thematically, *Iron Maiden* explores rebellion, urban decay, and existential angst—all fitting for its punk-metal hybrid sound. Tracks like "Prowler" and "Charlotte the Harlot" delve into gritty street-level narratives, while "Phantom of the Opera" introduces grander themes of mystery and ambition[1][2]. The album also hints at Iron Maiden’s future thematic direction with songs like "Transylvania," which evoke dark imagery without relying on lyrics. These themes resonate with listeners who appreciate heavy metal’s ability to blend aggression with introspection. --- ### **Influence** Iron Maiden’s debut album was instrumental in shaping both their career and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. Its combination of punk rawness and progressive ambition set it apart from contemporaries like Judas Priest and Saxon[1][2]. Tracks such as "Phantom of the Opera" influenced countless bands with their complex structures and harmonies[2]. Moreover, *Iron Maiden* introduced Eddie—the band’s iconic mascot—on its cover art. Eddie would become synonymous with Iron Maiden’s identity and contribute to their legacy as one of metal's most visually striking bands. --- ### **Pros** 1. **Raw Energy**: The album captures Iron Maiden’s youthful aggression perfectly. 2. **Musicianship**: Exceptional guitar solos by Dave Murray and Dennis Stratton; innovative bass playing by Steve Harris. 3. **Standout Tracks**: Songs like "Phantom of the Opera" and "Transylvania" showcase progressive ambition rarely seen in debut albums. 4. **Influence**: A cornerstone for NWOBHM; inspired future thrash metal bands. 5. **Charm**: The unpolished production gives it an authentic retro feel. --- ### **Cons** 1. **Inconsistent Composition**: Some tracks feel underdeveloped or out of place (e.g., "Strange World"). 2. **Lyrics**: Lacks depth compared to later Iron Maiden albums. 3. **Production Quality**: Raw sound sacrifices polish; vocals occasionally buried in mix. 4. **Running Free's Simplicity**: While catchy, it hasn’t aged as well as other tracks. --- ### **Conclusion** *Iron Maiden* is an audacious debut that showcases raw talent and sets the stage for one of heavy metal's greatest legacies. While not flawless—its lyrics are average at best, and its production lacks polish—the album’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Tracks like "Phantom of the Opera" demonstrate progressive brilliance that would become Iron Maiden’s hallmark, while its raw energy captures the spirit of NWOBHM perfectly. For fans seeking insight into Iron Maiden’s origins or those exploring heavy metal history, this album remains essential listening—a testament to how passion can overcome imperfections to create something truly iconic.
First time actually listening to Iron Maiden, this shit goes hard. Fave Tracks: Prowler Remember Tomorrow - the GUITARS Transylvania - the fucking GUITARS Strange World - Beautiful
They quite nail their first album. Some of their music is too cheesy for me, but this one is quite great. My favorite is Powerslave though
Another good 80s metal album from the OGs
Nowhere near as good as Number of the Beast
no misses. lots of different styles between the different songs. i like how the latter half of the album is chilled out compared to former. cool guitar solos, but the album isn’t super cohesive and the lyrics can be a bit meh at times. fav track: strange world
nice hard panned guitars stereo. vox on remember tomorrow makes me think it's gonna morph into a prog rock, very king crimson esque when he sings in the lull between the guitar chorus. still nice. guitar bridge very prog, thank yew. rest of album kinda hard to distinguish. probs bc i dont listen to this genre very often. probably still wont. 2/5
🤘
Meh, next
Ya know, was sort of getting scarred by old rock albums on this list just being there, but this was solid. Unmistakable sound, super clean, and super on point throughout. No real standout besides maybe phantom of the opera, but very enjoyable. Probably a 3.5 honestly, maybe a 4, but lack of a standout will leave it a 3.
3 out of 5. For a debut I thought it would be tougher than it turned out to be.
Very fun and dumb
Rock on, lads.
As a huge Maiden fan, I can say with certainty that this is not their best album. I'd put it somewhere around the middle to bottom half. Still five stars, but they've done some incredible records and it's a shame there's only two of their albums on this list. I can see why this would be one though. It's their debut and they came sprinting out of the blocks with a point to prove. Lyrically it's not great. In fact a lot of the tracks just repeat the same verse two or three times. But the music more than makes up for this. Every single track has a very catchy hook, melody. riff or singalong chorus that you'll find yourself humming for ages. The awful production actually adds to the charm of this album in my opinion. It's really rough and unpolished which gives it a bit of a punky vibe along with the vocals of Paul Di'Anno. As I said before with 'The Number Of The Beast' if you like this album, please do yourself a favour and check out their discography. You won't be disappointed. Iron Maiden are the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be. Up The Irons.
Solid early metal. Good licks. I actually think I might listen to more Iron Maiden
Wow guitar and drums. Not something I would listen to.
I don’t think this is their best album to be honest but it has a raw quality that gives it a good vibe. Up the maiden!
The best album here so far, and the first album I got that I knew already. I love Iron Maiden, they were the first metal band I listened to in my life (not surprising) - so, I have a special place in my heart for all Iron Maiden. Really really really great album with some of the most iconic songs. Damn, I wish this album had Bruce Dickinson. But yeah, this album made me happy when I saw that I got it.
I can see why it's famous. It's epic, has some big moments, ballads, crazy guitar solos. but not my type of thing. I want something groovier, or weirder and more emotional
I've never listened to an Iron Maiden album before. My friends older brother was into them and I thought the album covers were the most satanic thing I'd ever seen. I actually liked the slowburn "Strange World" the best.
Borderline masturbatory guitar work? Absolutely. Does it kick ass? Hell yeah \m/ While far from the band's best work IMO, the songwriting makes some interesting decisions (beyond just being basic 4/4 thrash grooves and power chords), which undoubtedly went on to inspire an entire generation of heavy rock musicians - not to mention Judas Priest, who went on to further refine the sound of 80s thrash metal.
It’s a good album, but they have far better albums.
Das Debütalbum Iron Maiden der britischen Band Iron Maiden erschien 1980 und gehört zum Genre des Heavy Metal, genauer zur New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Die Aufnahmen fanden in den Kingsway Studios und den Morgan Studios in London statt. Der Klang des Albums ist roh und direkt, was auch an der Produktion liegt. Die Songs zeigen eine Mischung aus schnellen, energiegeladenen Stücken und melodischen Passagen. Besonders hervorzuheben sind Titel wie Phantom of the Opera mit seinen vielseitigen Strukturen und Remember Tomorrow, das zwischen ruhigen und härteren Passagen wechselt. Auch Running Free fällt durch seinen eingängigen Rhythmus auf. Das Album gibt einen guten Einblick in den frühen Stil der Band, der sich später weiterentwickeln sollte. Die kraftvolle Instrumentierung und die markante Stimme von Sänger Paul Di'Anno prägen den Sound. Insgesamt ist es ein solides Debüt, das den Grundstein für die Karriere von Iron Maiden legte.
Overrated by decent overall
Definitely an interesting album. In the humble beginnings
It's good, but i wouldn't listen to it that often. 3 best track - phantom of the opera.
Cheesy metal.
2+ Stars (6/15)
Enjoyed this. It does descend into guitar wankery a few times which I wasn't really that into. But generally it rocks, good hooks and I don't know much Iron Maiden beyond a few later hits so nice to hear some tracks with the original singer
a refreshing blast, which manages to be both bombastic and tinny - classic New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
good, will listen to it again
Never been a metal guy but I really enjoyed the guitar work on this album, will listen again
I love Maiden, but I never really got into the original singer. I've heard these all a thousand times sung by Bruce live, and only listened to this album a few times all the way through. It's a fun listen, and great to hear how fully formed the band's ideas were right out of the gate. Four stars for the hints of what's to come
nah
This is really really boring. Nothing heavy about it, pure middleweight metal. I don't know who would enjoy this?
The debut recording from IM? Okay, I'll check it out. It was weird not having Bruce on vocals, but it was pretty decent.
Good album, I’m surprised I enjoyed it.
(this is actually on day 14 since I didn't have time the other day) Found time to listen to this on a hectic walk to the train station, and an even more hectic train ride. It suited it perfectly. Felt like I was in an Anime. Kept thinking of the scene in Stranger Things when that outcast kid is battling aliens with his guitar skills haha But I didn't really "listen listen". It never really grapped my attention. It's very fast and melodic, and it gets my blood rushing. I don't know much about Iron Maiden, wish I did. I don't know what to give it. It's not really my type of music. At least for now. Giving it 2, sorry.
Bam. Off to the races w this classic.
Iron Maiden is the fucking greatest band in the world!
Much more into the Sabbath doom side of metal than I am the Maiden flourishes but there’s no denying the influential nature of this particular release - it has a little bit of everything. My favorite flavor on display here is “Phantom of the Opera,” but it all works really well as a cohesive and coherent rock album front to back.
had absolutely no idea what this was going to sound like! solid!
Typischer Metal-Sound - das Debut von Iron Maiden. 4/5
I'm not very familiar with the pre-Dickinson Iron Maiden era - but I think this debut further proves that I can genuinely listen to this band all day and no matter what. I mean, to be fair, despite not having those iconic lead vocals, you do still have Dave Murray playing his sharp lead guitar on many of these songs. Admittedly, this album isn't as high-octane, dramatic, nor as epic as the high watermarks in the Iron Maiden discography like 'Powerslave' or 'The Number of the Beast'. You get some long, drawn-out, slow-ballad moments like with 'Strange World', and songs like the closing title track give heavy punk-rock vibes more than anything. Honestly, the bass all over this thing is very punk rocky. Still some incredible highlights here. 'Phantom of the Opera' for one might be one of the band's best songs - it has everything that makes an Iron Maiden song incredible from the length to the back-to-back guitar solos, to the catchy verse melody, to the winding song structure. I also really liked the riff of the opener 'Prowler' and 'Transylvania' was an incredibly solid instrumental cut. More than anything, I think this album proves that this band was coming in, guns blazing, out the gate. And while I'll always prefer Dickinson, Paul Di'Anno does the band more than justice on this debut.
Boring?
A few songs surprised me but overall not my thing
⭐️ ⭐️ Not great… Transylvania was a decent song but overall not a fan. I don’t love old metal albums. The distortion just sounds bad compared to what I’m used to… not much they can do about that, I just don’t like it.
7.5/10. I have to admit I do like this kind of metal, I grew up with a lot Metallica so it's kind of a surprise I wasn't into Iron Maiden as it is very reminiscent. In some ways I even preferred this with its rapid pace and stronger focus on the guitar shredding. It think where it falls down in comparison is that some of the songwriting is a little more forgettable and the eerieness is kind of lost. Fundamentally it lacks the heavy hitters of the genre that Metallica contained. That being said it was good fun with excellent musicianship throughout.
Not my kind of music! But: two stand outs from this short album are: Remember tomorrow Phantom of the opera (trust me)
6/10
Definitely 80s, but also an early view into metal and a pivotal point in music. Can't say I've listened through to an entire Iron Maiden record before, but this was what I expected it to be. Upbeat, decent harmonies and rhythms, and vocals aren't too harsh. I can now say I experienced this.
Fine. A few good moments here and there but overall the album did not grab me. As a kid I remember seeing shirts, posters, patches, jackets, etc, with Iron Maiden stuff on them and thinking it looked scary and that the music was probably wild and dangerous or something. Now this sounds kind of tame and quaint (complimentary).
Kinda surprised that I liked this one, a bit of a Sabbath ripoff, but not too bad. The other Maiden I’ve heard is better than this, though.
This was alright. I certainly can’t argue with it being on this list. It had too much of the glam rock, falsetto, arena rock vocal element to it for my taste. Near the end of this, when another song started and my reaction was “Really? It’s not over?” I knew I had to give it a 2.
No.
I thought it was pretty ok but forgettable, nothing too special
Im a sucker for good guitar riffs. wish the vocals were a bit better
Fun
Surprisingly, I liked this album, a good variety of music
This was definitely a better album than the last Iron Maiden one I got. I can't imagine I'd listen to it very often but I enjoyed it enough to give it a 4.
It’s good for metal.
Not my fav
First 4 tunes are good rockers.
Pretty solid, more musical than I expected with some nice guitar bits. Love the melodic guitar backing riffs in Remember Tomorrow. The staccato interlude followed by sweeping guitar and marching repeating riffs then a tempo and style change in Phantom of the Opera is great writing. Overall I wanted to be more blown away by this album than I was but I would still happily listen to again and think it's a great inclusion for the history and significance.
Started this and wasn't feeling it all. Then cranked it loud and had a good time. Phantom of the Opera is the best song here. Transylvania is an enjoyable instrumental. They went on to be better but this is fun.
I was surprised by the highly melodic music of this album. Previous to this I only knew Iron Maiden as a name, if I heard their songs it was not knowingly so I was expecting something with more screaming and crunching noise. Pleasantly surprised.
Rock/Glam/Punk Decent Vocal A good laugh
4* 85%
10/10
This got me hype
I read something not so long ago about the loss of the key change in recorded music, and how this relates to the paucity of storytelling in contemporary songwriting. I didn’t expect to find vivid proof of this in an Iron Maiden album, but there you are. This isn’t to my taste at all. But listening to it dispassionately, I’m struck by the rigidity of the composition, the clever juxtaposition of rhythmic variations - and, yeah, key changes to underscore pathos or passion. Also: I swear there are echoes of both Blondie and Metallica’s Black Album here. That was not at all expected.
This is great - and different from the later Maiden albums. Prowler and Running Free are classics and some of my favourite Maiden songs
It's cornball early-80s metal, but it's my cornball early-80s metal.
Had a super busy day at work and this album was just what I needed to keep my energy and pace up. Really enjoyed this, despite not having listened to much Maiden before now.
It was ok... Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it. I didn't find it partially memorable.
4.5★. Man, if more Metal had this kind of beauty, this kind of oscillation—this kind of music—I would be such a huge fan. (Though I see that some question whether this is even Metal or just ”hard rock,” which also came to mind while listening.) The hideously grisly cover (seems to be the band’s m.o.) is totally misleading from the kind of refreshing energy and poetic flourishes that can be found in this thing.
Solid album. Prowler sets the tone
The instrumental parts were my favorite. You can really hear how other metal bands (especially Metallica, with the instrumentals...) grew out from this. But wow, some of the vocals are pretty awful here. I'm not even a big fan of Bruce Dickinson, but man was he an improvement.
A lot better than number of the beast.
Interesting to hear metal arrangements with some suuuper minimal distortion or “heaviness” from the guitars. Two years later they’d peak, with a bit more distortion, a bit more production, and a few more classic metal tropes. It’s a delicate balance, though - toooo much of that (I.e. the late 80s) and metal gets out of hand.
Favourite tracks - Prowler, Running Free, Phantom of the Opera
5/10
Love the wailing guitars on this record
- Iron Maiden is one of the metal bands I am most likely to turn to, but I have no familiarity with their earliest output. I am not shocked that it is relatively shallow and unrefined, which is not helped by Paul Di'anno's vocals just not standing up to the later Bruce Dickinson. - Fun sound (the opening guitar work on "Prowler" to start the album is legit blood-pumping) and obvious skill, but this is just a fraction of what this band would grow to be.
Prefer Bruce Dickinson on vocals but still great and a sign of amazing things to come.
Honestly tuned it out...oops
It is certainly fascinating to hear the very first album by Iron Maiden. Their album art may not have changed much, but the sound certainly has. Most notably is the different vocals, as Bruce Dickinson’s operatic vocals are nowhere to be found here, instead having Paul Di’Anno’s grittier style instead. And although there are some parts that sound undeniably Maiden with the galloping rhythms, there are others that sound like a different band entirely. I enjoyed this album, and found myself frequently fascinated by what has changed, and what has stayed the same.
*confused delighted screaming* No Bruce but.. still good?!!
This was a bit of a revelation for me. The punk attitude to this was not what I was expecting and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
Never been my thing. I can’t take this music seriously.
Pretty rockin’
A friend brought me along to a show a couple years ago. I started to explore their catalogue at that time but that faded away. Hearing them again I realize that I really should get back on exploring their catalogue.
I felt like I just experienced the birth of the sun
actually my first time venturing into pre-number of the beast iron maiden, and while im not super interested in anachronistic comparisons i will say theyre tbh very recognizable, maybe even more so than i was led to believe! its marginally rougher and more DIY and inherently has some punk connections but its still straining for big grandiosity within those boundaries, soaring leads and chugging riffs and intricate steve harris basslines. iron maiden always rly cuts to the heart of metal's Escapist appeal, up to and including their extremely accessible hyper-melodicism. honestly its easy to imagine a different set of historical circumstances that puts some of their tracks in the walmart playlist instead of enter sandman. album itself is maybe not the most "distinct" thing all these decades later but its hard to fault the listening experience in any way!!!! bangs p much front to back, and the lack of being couched in bigger resources lends its own appeal...the best songs to ever torment u from ur neighbor's garage
Empezó gustándome mucho y ahora que lo tengo en bucle me está empezando a dar bastante igual. No sé reconocer ninguna canción, pero me gusta igualmente, me lo guardo.
A fantastic power metal album that isn't close to the peak of Iron Maiden, and yet is still so excellent and fun. Bruce Dickinson is the best Maiden vocalist, but this is still a very respectable album that shows the band's talent was present from the first track. Top tracks: Prowler, Phantom of the Opera, Transylvania/Strange World
Gutes Heavy Metal Album, mit allem was das Eisen braucht. Glut, Gefühl und Gitarre. Top Titel ist die Ballade „Strange Ways“ aber auch das „Phantom of the Opera“. Gerne mal wieder.
terug een debuut van jewelste... ik hou wel van de oude maiden... ook de zanger kan mij wel bekoren
perdi a minha virgindade de iron maiden com esse aqui rs e gostei bem mais do que imaginava!! talvez pelas artes de capa dos CDs, sempre achei que a banda fosse um heavy metal pesado com guturais pouco entendíveis, mas não é o caso. vocais ótimos, riffs de guitarra e bateria com mt personalidade! tem até baladas/músicas mais lentas. top
good shit, classic rock
First time Iron Maiden listener. It sounds exactly like I thought it would. Not worth revisiting.
3.5
3.5
Rating: 10/10 One of the best debut albums of all time. Catchy, fun, beautiful, and absolutely infectious.
I haven't heard this one in a long time but it was fun! I think I always enjoyed Maiden with Paul than I did with Bruce, but I think it comes down to more of the heavy metal sound being punkier than it was proggy with their stuff later. That being said, this one has many songs like that still, some leaning more towards psychedelia and prog in a way that it's cool but I guess I didn't care for every song in the album. I might try out Killlers later and see if I can recall why I liked it more than this one.
Revisited this a few months later and kicked it up a star. Actually is really fucking good and could climb some more. Turned off by the juvenile Eddie artwork.
Pretty good
It's more musical than I would have thought, based on all the 80s fanboys I knew in high school. Still not my taste though
Great start to Iron Maiden but not there best album, I think it really kicked on after they changed lead singers.
It's a brutally good first album. Maiden is one of the best and while this one has some rough edges, the way they grow and smooth it all out is wild.
The kind of energy I needed. The cover art probably kept me away in my youth. I had an uncle with an Iron Maiden denim jacket that haunted me. Last time I said "I look forward to hearing more", I wasn't disappointed. The Blues, Prog, and Garage Rock. Metal. Great song craft, great album.
Some solid, almost punk type thrash metal here. I like the instrumentals.
Was pretty good, fav was Strange World
Good example of the “Metal” genre. The stage personas of angry musicians playing angry music for angry young people. With the exception of a couple of the tracks—slower ballads—it just started to sound all the same. Shred, shred, and more shredding. Great—what else you got.
Not as good as some of their later albums. I definitely prefer Bruce Dickinson on vocals. This is still decent metal though
I like Iron Maiden, but didn't quite enjoy this one. It's obvious they improve from here.
I really liked Transylvania. Shout-out to these badass guitar players out here. Great album and a great time for metal. Noice.
This is obviously not the polished, well-produced Iron Maiden we know now, and I actually mean this as a compliment - I like the rougher sound, and it somehow makes it more fun and organic. If this was the first Iron Maiden albun that fell into my hands I think I would have been much bigger fan.
Not quite the personality of the later Maiden, but you can hear them slowly developing their signature style. Personally I prefer Bruce's vocals.
Love the punk metal attitude on this one. By no means this is a perfect album, but it is so exciting to listen to! Bonus points for wrapping it up with the song that has the same name as both the album and the band (and a killer one, indeed).
Iron maiden before they grew balls
Yeah solid metal I guess. Goes alright but it all starts to sound the same after a while. Wasn't big in Charlotte the Harlot either, but still enjoyed the album
Niki album
In my mind, metal maiden music never distinguished itself from the dozens of head banger bands of the era. Simple. Average.
Surprisingly chill and Led Zep-like.
Dude this was a great album! And it flew by I loved it! It was a great first album and kinda showed you where they were planning on going with this style and sound! Good album overall
i usually skip pre-bruce maiden but this was great. the production's not as bad as its reputation. most of the songs hold up, but charlotte the harlot sucks.
I don't care for iron maiden. I know they were progenitors in a lot of ways but it has never appealed to me. I like a lot of classic metal but not this.
From a simpler time. Straightforward classic metal. Production is minimalistic, showcasing the band as they are. Break out the Z-28 with the Pioneer Supertuner and your 6 x 9 Jensons.
I have listened to this album hundreds of times and I never get tired of it.
Blind album, only know the artist by name. I was generally pleased by this, and more than I thought I would as well. Opening track was a banger, but then as the album went on, it faded a bit and was come and go. Happy to hear more from the band if this was their debut.
Classic Old School Metal. Pretty cool. Great guitars. And his vocals are really enjoyable. I wish I'd been posting my favorite track from each album all along...I think I'll start doing that from here on out. Favorite track: Strange World
Honestly Iron Maiden is just a really fun band, gonna have to listen to more of their stuff.
So close to awesome. Just needed some Bruce.
p463. 1980. 1 star. Generic Brit heavy metal. It's Spinal Tap, isn't it? On the plus side, its short.
The first album from a band I have listened to a lot throughout the years. I didn't recognize any of these songs though and after listening I now know why. While the sound they made synonymous with the band is kind of there somewhere in the drums and guitars but other than that I think they have made so much better music later on that I can safely pass on listening to this again without missing out on a great band.
V melodic. Pretty good
If you want some metal get some Maiden. But this doesn’t quite feel like their best.
Rocking out great tunes!
I'm a fan of metal so this is quite nice, not too heavy. Very good remaster.
The debut album by the British legends combines a lot of what I don't like about metal: most of all the tendency towards a thematic lack of imagination (seriously: Phantom of the Opera? Transylvania? That's cheap - as if someone for inspiration had read the synopsis of the films in the video store which were on display in the horror section for lack of ideas of their own). Then this craft-over-style mumble: playing in unison when you want to show how good you can play etc., while in the end this doesn't offer anything really impressive for anyone used to stuff like fusion jazz, Zappa or the better prog rock bands. The record has nice parts, the musicians can play and it's not the worst thing in the world but at the core is a little-boys-big-pants aesthetic for wannabe blokes. I understand this one is a bit of a pioneering release, so 1 extra star for that.
I’ve always avoided heavy metal because I just didn’t think it would be for me. Holy hell was I wrong! This album blew my mind and was amazing! Full out jamming at work and keeping beats. Biggest surprise so far 60+ albums into this project. And so far my favorite find of a song with Running Free. Who knew!? But I’m sold on this album!
Up the irons! An important part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the golden age of metal.
Listened to this completely keyed up on adrenaline after my car broke down in Apple Valley - wild combination.
3.5 Way better than I thought it would be
1980, le punk a déjà bien secoué le cocotier, la new wave pointe son nez synthétique, et au milieu de tout ça, une vague déferle sur l'Angleterre, une vague de gros son, de cheveux longs et de denim élimé : la New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Et au sommet de cette vague, un nom qui claque comme un coup de cymbale : Iron Maiden. Leur premier album éponyme. Une pochette iconique avec cette mascotte déglinguée, Eddie, qui allait devenir plus célèbre que certains membres du groupe. Un statut de classique absolu, une pierre angulaire du heavy metal. Sur le papier, c'est du lourd, de l'indispensable, du "tu-peux-pas-passer-à-côté". C'est bien pour ça qu'il est dans ce putain de bouquin. Sauf que voilà. En 1980, j'avais dix ans. Mes oreilles commençaient à peine à se former, et elles allaient très vite prendre le pli du post-punk, de la cold wave, de tout ce qui était tendu, sec, et surtout, qui allait droit au but. Pour moi, un morceau, c'était une idée, une énergie, un message balancé en trois minutes, et puis basta. On ne s'embarrassait pas de fioritures. Alors, aborder ce premier Iron Maiden en 2025, avec mes 55 balais et ce bagage musical, c'est comme essayer de faire rentrer un semi-remorque dans une place pour Smart. Ça coince. Ne me faites pas dire ce que je n'ai pas dit. Il y a de l'or en fusion dans ce disque. Une énergie brute, quasi punk, qui transpire de chaque sillon. La section rythmique, bordel ! Steve Harris et sa basse galopante qui mène la danse comme un général d'armée, et le regretté Clive Burr qui martèle ses fûts avec une précision et une puissance démentielles. Ça, c'est la fondation, et elle est en béton armé. On sent que ces mecs-là ne sont pas là pour enfiler des perles. Et puis il y a la voix. Paul Di'Anno. Le chanteur originel, le prolo enragé, le hooligan des cordes vocales. Rien à voir avec le chant de sirène opératique de son successeur. Di'Anno, il beugle, il crache, il a une gouaille de pub londonien qui donne à des titres comme "Prowler" ou "Running Free" une urgence et une authenticité incroyables. C'est sale, c'est teigneux, et franchement, ça me parle. On sent le goudron, la crasse, la jeunesse qui veut en découdre. Des morceaux comme "Phantom of the Opera" ou "Transylvania" déploient des mélodies et des riffs qui, pris isolément, sont d'une efficacité redoutable. On sent le potentiel, la puissance d'écriture qui fera du groupe la légende qu'il est devenu. Et puis... le drame. Le solo. Ce moment maudit, systématiquement, où le morceau, qui tenait la route, qui me faisait taper du pied, décide de faire une pause technique pour que les deux guitaristes, Dave Murray et Dennis Stratton, puissent nous étaler leur science. Je vais être cash, et que les fans me pardonnent, mais je n'en peux plus de ces solos. Cette manie typiquement heavy metal de balancer un dégueulis de notes à la vitesse de la lumière, cette espèce de masturbation de manche qui, pour moi, ne sert strictement à RIEN. Ça n'apporte rien à la chanson. Au contraire, ça la casse. Ça brise l'élan. C'est de la pure démonstration technique, un concours de celui qui a la plus longue... gamme. Et c'est là que le bât blesse sur tout l'album. Chaque putain de morceau ! Tu as un riff qui tue, une ligne de chant qui t'embarque, et BAM ! T'as le droit à ta minute de tricotage guitaristique. Ça pollue le truc. Ça le dénature. On passe d'une énergie rock'n'roll pure et dure à une sorte de kermesse de l'école de musique. Et ça me rend fou, parce que les chansons sont bonnes ! C'est comme avoir un plat magnifique devant soi, et voir le serveur arriver pour y verser une louche de Ketchup. C'est un sacrilège. Alors, oui, "Iron Maiden" est un album majeur. Historiquement, il est incontournable pour comprendre l'émergence de tout un pan du rock. Il a défini un son, une attitude, et a lancé une carrière stratosphérique. Pour le projet "1001 Albums", sa place est justifiée, ne serait-ce que pour l'aspect "culture générale". Mais pour moi, personnellement, l'écoute fut une torture. Une frustration permanente. Le sentiment constant de passer à côté d'un grand album de hard rock à cause de cette manie, de cette convention du genre que je rejette en bloc. C'est l'album qui incarne le fossé entre le punk qui dit "l'énergie d'abord" et le metal qui répond "la technique d'abord". Pour moi, ce sera un petit 1 sur 5. La frustration est trop grande. J'ai entendu de superbes mélodies, une énergie folle, mais elles ont été systématiquement sabotées par des solos qui me sortent par les trous de nez.
So I can understand why people love this band. I am just not one of those people, I can appreciate the technical prowess, but that's about it.
Better than I thought it would be, although it was odd to hear Iron Maiden without Bruce Dickinson. It's not really my genre, but I enjoyed it and would happily listen to this again.
Really enjoyed. Not as heavy as expected, until the end
Tough. 2.5. Not my jam but could bang out in the right mood
Lyrics were a bit misogynistic but had good swagger. Good guitar riffs. Would enjoy in the right context with beer and friends but wouldn't listen to on my own
fire
Really not for me. I know it.
Up the irons
Wank
Oh that's surprising. Heavy metal has been my least favoured genre since starting this. Many of the bands I haven't liked had Maiden stated as an influence, so wasn't that thrilled when this turned up. But what a surprise, those other bands lack the melodically lyrical music that's here. Didn’t know the DiAnno albums, and his limited range does actually make this album for me, moving it away from the stereotype metal vocals Gillan, Dio, Halford et al, with his rawer delivery on running free and strange world being really effective. 4 Star, will definitely listen again, and not as a sweaty teen, and that surprised me.
Transylvania was kinda cool, the rest was not for me. It’s too clean to be metal. I’ve never been a fan of Bruce Dickinson’s voice but it’s still better than this guy, whoever he is.
Just not my cup of metal.
Great debut with some interesting influences (It turns out the Queen-esque influence was by a member who was only on for this album for that reason) and features. Some really solid bass parts especially. Though none of the songs are major standouts from the others, some were more recognizable. A big push for the new wave of heavy metal
It’s a little controversial, but I’m more of a Paul guy than a Bruce. Maiden’s raging guitar greatness stay consistent throughout their career, but Bruce’s more theatrical voice has a tendency to grate on me a bit; especially compared to Paul’s edgier tone. This album is one of my favorites of theirs. There’s an element of punk-iness to the song writing that I can’t quite put my ear-finger on, and I like it. Prowler, Phantom of the Opera and Strange World are favorites. 4.3/5
Bello è bello, ma forse non il migliore.
I really don’t like Eddie. There, I’ve said it. That stupid 50s horror comic zombie mascot put me off listening to Iron Maiden for ages, which is a shame because they are really rather good. Their debut album is scrappy and full of punk energy (although they would hate being called punks!), and set the scene for the new wave of British heavy metal through the 80s. Charlotte the Harlot is still cringeworthy though.
This was much more fun than what I was expecting. I'm not a huge fan of heavy metal in general (though I do listen to a lot of metal, but not this particular subgenre), but this has a row energy and some punk roots that makes it much more fun.
Can’t say I listened to much Iron Maiden growing up, so checking out a whole album was interesting. I can understand why they were popular and the influence, but I wouldn’t say I loved the album. I thought the album was a solid listening experience, but didn’t come away as wanting to listen to them more than this.
01) Prowler - 6,5 02) Remember Tomorrow - 7,0 03) Running Free - 7,0 04) Phantom of the Opera - 6,5 05) Transylvania - 6,5 06) Strange World - 7,0 07) Charlotte the Harlot - 6,5 08) Iron Maiden - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,69 (67/100) Current ranking: 309/441 Not great, not terrible...
2.5
I really liked this. Good metal album. Classic
Pretty good. Favourite tracks: Remember Tomorrow Would listen again. 3/5
7/10
This isn’t my cup of tea. It’s not terrible, but I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it, and it’s highly doubtful I’d revisit this one. Chances are if I don’t already have nostalgic ties, I probably won’t get into heavier/metal bands at this point. Call me close-minded, I’m fine with it.
HM halt…4/10
Phantom of Opera was really good. This album might have been an inspiration for many of the greatest riffs in guitar history.
NWOBHM is a) a very odd name for a music genre and will b) just never really be my cup of tea. I can absolutely appreciate how these guys hit the ground running with this very energetic and confident debut album. I also like the DIY-aesthetic that they bring and that's often cited in reviews of this particular album. It's got a certain punk attitude that's very rare in heavy metal. However, now that I've listened to the whole thing once, I really don't feel the urge to ever go back to it again.
Great opening song, the rest didn't stand out as much but still defent
Awesome trash metal
Good first album. The instruments were solid. Couple of songs were a bit long.
I’m not a big metal guy but some of the songs were tolerable
Didn't like this as much as The Number of the Beast but was still really solid, they are one of the cornerstones of metal. The guitar is immaculate, really well done, solos are great. The bass (as became their trademark) is superb, under appreciated, and drives the album. Everything else is solid but not really remarkable to the extent of their later works imo. I do love that they kept Eddie in some form or fashion. Would give this a 3.5 if I could but imma round up.
heavy metal not usually my thing so I was pleasantly surprised by this. still wouldn't seek it out again to listen to but understand why this is a classic
decent. Like Bruce D vocals better, personally
3/5
Bra album! Jag är inget jättefan av Paul Di'anno's sång men albumet har flera riktigt bra låtar (titelspåret och Phantom of the opera för mig). Men också några betydligt svagare spår. Jag ligger nog någonstans mellan en 2a och en 3a för denna.
Tänkte ge en 3a först, för att det är långt ifrån deras bästa album, men fan vilka bangers det finns på albumet! Sjukt bra är det. Up the Irons!!
Great album. How metal should be.
Wish that first track was a bit longer and maybe some of the later ones a bit shorter but ong this album FULL of bangers and the cover is sick asf
A landmark for 80s metal. Nothing would be the same without it! The early sound of IM shine through in this. Metal albums, IMO, aren’t worth much without a good instrumental track (or two). This album delivers what it’s supposed to. “Strange World” is exemplary, and "Phantom of the Opera" is undeniably magnificent. I prefer the vocals of Bruce Dickinson, but Di’Anno does it well. This should be part of any Metal enthusiasts diet.
Really dig this album. Really dig the compositions, especially the guitar work. Not much to say except this album rocks 🤘
not much to say about it, but i didn't think i would like it as much as i did. really good instrumentals. solid album
Not a big fan of the unrefined sound. Songs sounded the same and there was too much instrumentation.
Punchy Raw Explosive Punk-meets-speed-metal in your face debut album with the seeds of progressive metal songwriting already coming to fruition by songwriter/bassist Steve Harris.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT6VHtJdfXVNLb8Qi2aJIEnbrQpDyZJus14mA&s This is an album that for some reason never had a song on rock band/guitar hero Guitar Hero II: *The Trooper Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s: *Wrathchild Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock: The Number of the Beast Rock Band: *Run to the Hills Guitar Hero 5: 2 Minutes to Midnight (Phantom was available as dlc for one of the games but i never bought it) With the songs I knew above being my only real iron maiden exposure this album was surprising to me in honestly a positive sense. Standouts Prowler is a real _kickin jam_ for me Remember tomorrow - "We have Nothing Else Matters at home" PotO ofc Strange World hits
Great album. You can sense the evolution of the genre that this album kicked off. Sometimes I prefer the Di’Anno sound, most straightforward than what was to come.
Nothing special, but definitely kick ass metal.
Not my style. Kind of boring metal, honestly. I'm sure it was revolutionary in its time, but not now. No bangers either. 2/5.
stupid asf
these guys are obviously good at guitar so it’s too bad they couldn’t make it sound good
This album was fine, albeit not particular memorable for me. I did not mind listening to it, so I would listen again, but not exactly in a rush to do so.
From their first album their sound is very recognisable. I love their music but the lyrics here are quite camp at times. Stand-out: Remember Tomorrow
Iron Maiden has never really clicked with me, and it still doesn't really. The album did grow on me over time, but I don't understand why they are so popular asides from their visual aesthetic. The music doesn't even really seem in sync with the visuals. Still, I enjoyed a couple of the guitar solos and got into a bit of a flow from it, so I'll give it a 3.
4/5 i was surprised how easy it kind of just fades into the background as like normal background music. not my typical genre but i definitely enjoyed it enough
I do see this similarly as last album I did enjoy this one a little more
didn’t love as much as the number of the beast but i still really enjoyed it
Neckbeard music. Worse than their later albums
Not a bad album but a little too repetetive at times. 3 stars or C.
Often find this genre a bit dull and samey and that happens a bit here but generally it is v good. Some of the instrumental sections/solos absolutely rip.
Prowler is a great opening track to the discography. Remember Tomorrow is pretty good alternating between soft and heavy. Running Free is kind of lame, sounds like a Kiss song. Phantom of the Opera is a very good song, with interesting rhythms, changes, and fast lines. Cool descending pentatonic part in the middle. Transylvania has some nice show-offy guitar with a harmony that reminds of later The Trooper. 118 albums in and this is the only somewhat hard rock/metal album so far.
A lovely piece of prog metal. Influences from Zeppelin to Crimson. The sound is clean, though. Doesn't seem like a lot of processing or effects. Short, sweet, rock and roll.
fun but kinda forgettable for me
Inspired by banshees Yet peppered with deft restraint Shocking, raw metal
I didn't think I'd like classic heavy metal as much as I did. Should've give these guys a chance a long time ago
I’m starting to think that if I hung out and went to more heavy metal concerts with some of my high school buddies, I may have surprised myself with how much I liked some of the bands. Iron Maiden in particular. The two guitars attack hits hard, but the band is also pretty melodic. Almost prog-like on several tracks, and it works. I surprised myself how engaging it was throughout. It’s a 4 out of stars for me. Favorite tracks are “Remember Tomorrow” (probably my top track from the whole album), “Running Free”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Transylvania”, and “Strange World”.
God damn did I really fucking enjoy this listen. I was a bit worried that it would be saturated early 80s "DnD" metal, but I couldn't have been more wrong. This album fucks and so does Eddie. 8/10
Not necessarily my cup of tea.
Great album
4- good ol fashioned metal album. Prefer maiden with Dickinson tho. Fav songs: strange world and charlotte and the harlot
Surprised I've never listened to this. I could see myself getting into it. 3 stars
less go this is what I'm talking about
It’s a lot like musical theater. There’s even a song called Phantom of the Opera… Strong theatrics in instrumentation, lyrics, and singing. the people who are into it ARE INTO it. Their culture, lives, style revolve around this stuff. And the guys are clearly nerds. This is rock that didn’t care about style, played dungeons and dragons, and showed up in sweatpants. But there is a virtuosity to the orchestration. Not my bag, but I didn’t think it was terrible. I’d listen to some more, when they rocked they brought the heat.
Definitely enjoyed this, I had never listened to Iron Maiden before and will be checking out more of their albums on some more friends recommendations
Easily one of the best debut albums I've ever heard. The songs are really damn good. I first heard Iron Maiden when Bruce Dickinson was their singer and I can't help but hear where Bruce would have been better on pretty much all of these songs. That being said, Paul Di'Anno was good enough to make this a great record. The only real let down on the album is the ballad Strange World. His voice doesn't carry the ballad very well. 4 stars
What a classic. Not my favorite Iron Maiden album but still a good one.
Pretty good. Not sure if my favorite of their albums, I'd like something a bit more low pitch and gritty/grungy. This whole album blends into one long song. Pretty epic still.
Makes me think of Kays Cooking. Also not a genre I’m not super into but sounds good!
I think Iron Maiden manages to be one of the least embarrassing metal acts. Like I listened to Phantom of the Opera, which was the only song I knew on here, and it’s good. It’s fun, there’s nothing cringy. The instruments are tight. The only flaw is the vocals, because Bruce Dickinson is a WAY better and more interesting singer. I’m guessing Number of the Beast is on this list? And that’s the better album overall.
I much prefer this to the operatic and heartless sounding later Maiden. But it still is not something really want to listen to again.
Steve Harris.
Very good background music. Iron Maiden is one of those bands where they have a very uniform sound, and this album is especially so. This makes for a consistent and smooth listening experience while trying to work and concentrate on something else. When listening to the songs with focus, they are catchy and I do like the sound of them, though they are all quite similar, which makes it harder to choose the x songs of their discography which are worth keeping. 4/5 stars.
Great Powertunezzz
Great, but you can tell they haven't hit their stride yet. There was a lot less singing then I expected, for a band with such a powerful and unique singer.
It was ok but I will never be a fan
Day 79 - Jan 8th, 2025 Eh? 3/5
Most of the songs sounded pretty similar so it was difficult to pick favorites. Favorite track was Prowler, first track. Great sound and fun to listen to
Not my thing but you can hear so much of the framework for later metal bands. I especially enjoyed the harmonizing guitar riffs.
Bit relentless to listen to at 9am, but I enjoyed. Will probably give this a 3, but would actually rate a 7. On second listen, this slaps. Hard 7
I dont love this sound quite like I used to but these songs are still pretty fun
bem cruzão né honestamente eu prefiro esse álbum aos outros que são mais limpinhos das ideia não é ruim não, mas passa meio distante de ser algo revolucionário
caralho, mais rock. novamente, achei que ia ser bem pior. foi divertido, até. tem umas guitarrada boa, uns refrãozim chiclete. heavy metal do fim dos anos 70/início dos 80 era isso aí, né. muita cocaína para tocar guitarra e fé em deus.
Amazing album. Would listen every week.
Better than the usual metalish albums but still not my cup of tea. 4/10 (2/5)
5 stars
The vaudevillian bangers I was expecting - “Prowler”, “Running Free” and “Charlotte the Harlot” - are toffee chunks in a doughy mass of earnest prog. But I like this record for this earnestness, and for the revelation that with roots in Leytonstone and Chingford they’re practically locals to my old manor - it’s homemade East London-Essex baroque. But why does so much heavy metal sound so thin?
First things first - I am unfamiliar with the music of Iron Maiden, although very familiar with their artwork, essentially from older brothers of friends who plastered their room with Eddie posters and would not let us use their ZX Spectrum to play Manic Miner as frequently as we wanted. In that respect, the music here is a huge let-down, not nearly as loud or intimidating as I had hoped. Once I had re-calibrated my expectations, it's actually quite good; a more-proggy Groundhogs, but with a guitarist that might have had too many music lessons. An enjoyably tight sub-40 minutes rock out, if one you can share with your parents afterwards. Did they get more "hardcore" later?
Although this style of metal got really played out by the 90s, this is a surprisingly energetic and fresh debut from Iron Maiden. The hard hitting riffs pair with the melodic vocals quite well. There were some interesting prog elements on here as well. You can tell they had a lot of influence from earlier 70s acts such as Zeppelin. Not my favorite but was a pretty cool listen.
Super unpolished compared to how they play these songs live but honestly top to bottom the songs are all great except Charlotte the Harlot. If this had NOTB production and Bruce singing it'd be a contender for their best album. Hell even if they had a singer who didn't have such a thin voice in the upper register this would be a contender for their best album.
Never could get into metal
I remember this album. It's pretty good - like Kiss but with better guitars.
It has its moments, but doesn't feel as groundbreaking as the heavy acts that came before, or as rich as some that would come on its heels.
The intro is fine, not for me but I can see why people like it. Fun breakdown(?) hot ladies is a boring subject matter remember tomorrow would've worked better as an instrumental. the bass fucks hard and every time the vocals stop I start enjoying it. Sorry vocal guy. running free: wow you'll never guess how I feel about the vocals fun song I like the relentless beat going on I dunno it's annoying because he can make his voice sound nice but I really hate the "IM RUNNING FREE" screeched in my ears every 5 seconds Phantom of the Opera: cool intro tolerable vocals when they're more mixed into the back a bit probably would be a fun guitar hero song cute beat switch (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧ once again the song is pretty good when the vocalist isnt vocaling Transylvania: oh so he can be quiet pretty good it lost my attention however Strange world: cool intro I love whatever the bassist is doing the vocals arent grating here Charlotte the hArlot: cringe name, cringe lyrics, lmfao, i hate this. tip sex workers generously <3 iron maiden: kinda glad this is nearly over bangin drums kinda meh it occurred to me that I am a bit surprised this album is considered influential. It's fine, maybe I'm missing context or maybe it's not my taste. 2
This had some ok stuff, but also some pretty bad stuff, and most of it was pretty forgettable.
Album itself is fine with some songs that SLAP and some boring ones (strange world), it also has a pure instrumental song. its really two sided but is overall fine. Prowler - overall it's fine but it is a bit too long for what it is or it is trying to be, also very repetitive. Remember tomorrow - Is way too long. the sound itself is nice but the last 1~ doesnt really have lyrics making it a bit boring. Running free - it's a really fun and energetic song, the only problem i have with it is that there are a bit too many music bridges. Phantom of the Opera - This is quite the song with its strong 7 minutes of run time, but it never gets boring and is consistently changing. overall it is a real good song made well. the only problem i have is the ending; 20~ seconds on pure nothingness. Transylvania - the instrumental sounded so nice that they really just couldnt care enough to make lyrics and it is still an amazing song with 2 different solos. and the ending transitioning into the next song of the album is phenomenal. strange world - slow and boring, almost fell asleep. charlotte the harlot - it feel similar to running free with its fast pace and energetic nature with the sudden slow part at around a minute into a song that transitions back into the fast paced song it's really good. iron maiden - the climax of the album is really simmilar to Prowler. the bridge in the middle is really good though. dejar.
Even being first these songs I kept waiting to hear Bruce to be honest. Good songs, solid album, surprised an Iron Maiden album without Bruce made it on the list, surely his are more appropriate overall.
Amazing debut album and a very important one for metal. I actually prefer this one to other Maiden records, even though it wasn't sung by Bruce. Great songs and great guitar work
I’m sorry, but this band was cooler without Bruce Dickinson.
Iron Maiden are a shockingly consistent band, particularly through the ‘80s. While I never really hear them mentioned as one of those artists with a strong imperial period like Stevie Wonder or Prince, it’s pretty obvious if you’ve actually gone through their discography, and that’s also ignoring some really great late-career albums. Still, you kinda can’t go wrong with Iron Maiden up through Seventh Son. Obviously, Number of the Beast is the most culturally essential, but you could make a case for any of those records being their best and/or a personal favorite, and I wouldn’t bat an eye, even arguably up through Fear of the Dark. But Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden is a hard record to judge. In many ways, it’s a template for the metal genre overall; you could argue that there’s a distinct and irreconcilable difference between metal pre-Iron Maiden and post-Iron Maiden. That doesn’t mean pre- is bad, or post- is bad, but the genre is palpably not the same after this record. But! This is also an extremely rough sketch of not only Iron Maiden as a band, but of Iron Maiden’s vision for the shape of metal to come. There’s a choppiness to the playing, a grit to the actual production, and it’s not really a cohesive record. There are true high points. The opener “Prowler” is intense, and despite its near-punk looseness, you can see the seeds being planted. The same could be said for “Charlotte the Harlot” and “Iron Maiden.” While I think”Phantom of the Opera” is maybe less Maiden than future songs and its progressive elements aren’t structured all that well, it’s still a killer track. Similarly, “Remember Tomorrow” may be a little kitsch and light for metal, but it still works really well. The weaker points, though, drag this debut down. “Running Free” is fine, but only fine; the real issue is the instrumental “Transylvania” and the ballad “Strange World,” which are technically okay, but aesthetically out of place while also ruining the momentum. The result is a bookended blueprint of an album. It’s a draft of metal’s future, and you can feel the draft lines and see the pencil markings underneath. It’s still good, but the middle is choppy, and leaves you lost at sea the more is strays from its strengths, which no other future Maiden album will do. There’s high historical value to a progenitor record, and depending on your interpretation of this list’s raison d’être, that’s enough of an excuse to include it here, even if it is not the best Maiden record from a skills perspective, a commercial perspective, or an enjoyment perspective. But if I’m being honest, that also makes it feel like homework more than anything. When it’s good, it’s great. Again, Iron Maiden is extremely consistent, and this debut is more gold than mold. Will I pick it up in a record store over any other Maiden album? Maybe not, unless it’s under $10, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t still a very solid record, and important to the future of metal. I support it, just know that they only go up from here.
Nice. Great instrumentals and fitting vocal work. Not my favorite selection from their discography though. 'Transylvania' was a standout for me.
Heavy metal began to change starting in the '80s. Shaking off the slower, more bluesy influence of Black Sabbath, bands began to embrace faster and more varied influences. Most popular of this new wave of British heavy metal was Iron Maiden, who would go on to effectively define heavy metal from here on out. Bassist Steve Harris managed to hold down a stable enough lineup to record the band's first album after a tumultuous start in the '70s. While there are a couple good songs on here, this debut isn't nearly interesting enough to warrant listing compared to later Maiden. The punk influence is cool and all, but I'm mostly here for the opener and closer tracks.
A classic I suppose, although there are better Maiden albums, like Killers.. the one that followed
Good, but their best albums came later. The absence of Bruce Dickinson's vocals really subtracts from the album, yet their signature sound is already present in the instrumentals.
Liked this way way more than I was expecting to. Although my expectation level was set pretty low. Really got into the whole album and enjoyed it. May have to alter my perception of the Maiden.
This is brilliant!! Don’t think I have ever listened to their debut before, but it has all the signs of their later stuff including killer riffs and hints of prog Rick and Sabbath. The vocals are obviously different to when Bruce Dickinson took over and are much softer, and I can’t decide if that is better, worse or just different. Top track: Phantom of the Opera
It’s somewhere between hard rock and hair rock, unsurprisingly given its release date. Did it influence the latter, who knows. Anyway, it’s got some good galloping riffs and solos, and while I don’t really know their work, it sounds quite ‘Maiden’y’. So I guess there’s some development of what is in my head ‘their sound’. However, they’re totally let down by the singer, just very bland, no wonder they got shot of him. All in all, there’s no good or bad songs as such. File under ‘interesting listen but unlikely again’.
Good album, vocals were a bit low in the mix early on, although this seemed to be better in later songs, would definitely listen again
While not even close to Maiden's best albums, you can hear loud and clear, what would be THE Iron Maiden sound, of dual guitars playing searing licks, throughout the tracks.
This record is better than you think it will be.
just doesn't scratch that itch. maybe one ok-ish song... Phantom of the Opera?
We’ll cheat and include Sanctuary.
Such a classic
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would
Yeah I'm def a Maidenhead (tm)
okii 7/10
There are many more deserving Maiden albums.
I consider this album an official transitionary piece tying rock and roll to heavy metal. There are some who heard this and never went any deeper, but more that heard this and never went back!
Not my bag at all.
Far better than expected! The album shines with captivating vocals and a very catchy sound. While enjoyable, it doesn’t quite sweep me off my feet
Haven’t really listened to Iron Maiden before for some reason but I enjoyed this. Will have to listen to more.
I really don’t like Iron Maiden but i have it a go. It’s more punk than I expected so it gets an extra star.
Some good songs, some less memorable. Like Paul Di Anno’s vocals but nothing hits peak epic like in their later albums. You can see glimpses of it, just not there yet.
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. Not really my bag but I enjoyed listening to it.