Reviews (page 8 of 13)
Not my cup of tea, but good for the overall genre
Background punk music?
I like when they play fast.
This was ... good? Did not expect that - do I now have to change my lifestyle, drink different beer, get new friends, etc.?
i liked strange world!
Does listening to this today make me a late-middle-aged dirtbag, baby?
Meddl leude
My youngest brother has always been a big Iron Maiden fan. I thought it was more of an attitude towards the band's mascot. Later, I listened to the band's music myself and really liked some of it. Well, maybe it was my mood that day, but somehow I couldn't get excited about it. To judge it better, I'll have to listen to it again. 3/5
Dede olunca dinlerim
almost a 4–seemed objectively great but wasn’t crazy abt it
Full of energy and super lively, I quite enjoyed this album. Some tracks, like Remember Tomorrow and Strange World, were more up my alley, but I didn't feel the urge to skip the others because of how fun they all were. I probably should listen to this again when I don't have a headache, though.
They have done it better, they‘ve done it worse. It‘s okay, I guess. Fav: -
That was better than I expected.
Liked it more than i thought i would, very punky actually. Never really gave them a chance before.
Pretty solid album here but there's other metal I'd much prefer.
It's amazing how melodic this album is.
A solid album, fun to listen to. I can see why people like it.
I understand Iron Maiden was a big deal in the rock/metal world back in the early '80's, but it's frankly just doesn't hold up. Later groups did it a lot better.
It's weird hearing Iron Maiden without Bruce Dickinson. This is a really solid prototype for their later work.
illustrative of just how much of a difference the right frontman can make. some of this is bad to mediocre (Charlotte the Harlot, Running Free) and some of it is fantastic (Phantom of the Opera) but there’s just something missing. Feels like Dio without Dio, Priest without Halford, AC/DC without the inexplicable two different guys who sound weird in the exact right way to make their band work still pretty good but man nothing on here makes me feel like Run to the Hills or Flight of Icarus
Eh.
recht laut, halt einfach iron maiden ...
Firstly, let's talk that production. Alot of the album, especially the first half, this sounds MIDI programmed, which I guess is also a testament to the rhythm section but still not nice to listen to. Secondly, these are genuinely very cool songs and some great song-writing and performance - but this album, & I guess this genre, is just constant electric guitar. And between those guitars, not a massive range of timbres/effects. It was a relief when "Strange World" came on and offered something different. If guitar's are your thing then this is an essential, but for me it feels quite sonically limited. These guys are terrified of anything that isn't a guitar. 6 / 10 Best track/s: Strange World
Samey halfway through
Average and a bit nothingy
It was ok
Coldplay left me well, cold
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would as someone who generally can't stand metal. There were a lot more prog elements to this record than I expected, but then again, it's apparent to me now that I never really knew much about Iron Maiden and their music in the first place. I'm pretty sure I've conflated them with other metal bands for my whole life. That said, this still isn't really my kind of music, but I didn't hate it like I thought I would. Favourite tracks: Phantom of the Opera, Remember Tomorrow,
it’s a classic, some songs are too heavy for me but i still like it
I don't think I've ever actually listened to Iron Maiden intentionally before! Their instrumentals are probably the best part of the album. The singing is fine, especially for the style. But I did find myself really enjoying the guitar solos and instrumental breaks. I don't think this album is *special*, but it is really good. Favorite Song(s): Phantom of the Opera
Not sure I've ever heard pre Bruce Dickinson iron maiden... It's definitely not as good, I think his singing is one of my favourite things about them (because I'm not a huge fan). But this is the debut so stands to reason it will sound a bit rougher. I think you can tell there is more about them than similar bands, music is a bit more interesting and it still has a fun vein to it, think you can tell it's not taking itself too seriously. Not as good as number of the beast but still alright, 2.5.
The Number of the Beast is better. Preferred the more aggressive stuff, Charlotte the Harlot, and the latter part of the album. Quite enjoyed the 7+ minute song, whichever one that was.
Identifiable as iron maiden, but not as distinctive sounding as what I'm familiar with. All sounds pretty rough around the edges and the sound quality isn't great. Was thinking that Bruce definitely hadn't found his style at this point, but it isn't him so that checks out! It's all pretty decent, but later maiden is better 3
It’s okay! Obviously very good guitar playing, GREAT riffs, and some fantastic drumming but the vocals don’t quite do it for me here. Phantom of the Opera and Transylvania are pretty dope though.
I’ve never heard to any other song that was not storm trooper, so it was a new album for me. There was a few interesting songs that I liked and some other that didn’t quite really catch my attention.
A total 180 from the last album released in 1980 (Kilimanjaro), evidencing a real dichotomy in early 80's music.
Mejor de lo que pensaba la verdad
Didn't listen to the whole thing, but overall it was nice?
Very enjoyable if you like this sort of music. They would eventually get much better over the next few years, but this is a solid start. 3.5/5
This is ok. Not a fan of the band or of heavy metal generally but its easier to listen to than I expected. 3 stars
Pretty good, not my jam
phantom of the opera and strange world are peak
Iron Maiden’s self-titled debut is a confident and gritty introduction that presents the band in its most raw and street-level incarnation. The album doesn’t aim for grand ambition or stylistic diversity; instead, it focuses on establishing a clear identity built around sharp, no-nonsense riffs, a punk-inflected sense of urgency, and an aggressive attitude that sets it apart from many of its contemporaries. From the very beginning, there’s a feeling of momentum and hunger, as if the band is more concerned with making an impact than refining every idea to perfection. In terms of songwriting, the record is a mixed but consistently solid package. There are several genuinely strong tracks that immediately stand out and hint at the melodic instincts and power that Iron Maiden would later develop in greater depth. Alongside these, some songs feel more “workmanlike” or transitional, serving the album’s flow rather than demanding attention on their own. That said, none of the material feels weak or poorly executed. The main limitation is a certain uniformity in tone: while the songs are clearly distinguishable, they often operate within the same sonic and emotional space, which can make the album feel less varied than later releases. Where the album truly excels is in its sound. The original master and vinyl pressing (EMC 3330) are outstanding, delivering a warm, punchy and dynamic listening experience that perfectly suits the raw nature of the performances. The production enhances the album’s rough edge without muddying the instruments, allowing the energy of the band to come through naturally. While Iron Maiden may not be as ambitious, epic, or diverse as the band’s future classics, it remains a strong and enjoyable debut, one that has aged surprisingly well and stands as a compelling first chapter in their discography. 7.5/10
Maiden's debut with Eddie on the cover from Day One.
Best - Transylvania Worst - Charlotte the Harlot
Decent metal- but not great.
C’est sympa mais la DA de ce groupe ne me touche pas du tout. Dans le même style, je préfère Black Sabbath
Normalement j'aurais dit pas trop ma came, mais j'ai bien aimé quelques pistes!
Not really my thing. So why am I rocking out so much!? Definitely something I'd pop in my earplugs for and embrace fully at.summerfest or such.
Oi oi, this is a real "Up the Irons" moment, innit? Listening to this album. you can tell that Iron Maiden had been through a lot before the making of their debut. The band is really in sync with each other, and it shows in the tight musicianship and how each band member will sync up with each other's parts to great effect. There are plenty of prog-like moments on this record where I'm able to see where the band will go from here, but they all just seem to be missing that final wow factor to make it a standout record for me. Not helping matters is the fact that Bruce Dickinson wouldn't arrive for a couple more albums; instead, the vocals are done by Paul Di'Anno, who does a fine enough job here, but lacks the power and charisma to push these tracks over the edge. Overall, a solid debut from Iron Maiden, even if I have a few reservations for it. If you consider it to be a must-hear classic, I won't argue with you. Standout Tracks: Prowler, Phantom of the Opera, Iron Maiden Score: C+
was never a fan, but it was ok
3/5
Liked this one more than I was expecting to. Not sure I have that much to say about it though. Good energy and a nice variation but I’m not sure I’m drawn to listen to it again. Fav song: Phantom of the Opera Least fav: Charlotte the Harlot
Some solid, almost punk type thrash metal here. I like the instrumentals.
Shockingly good
Fantastical Iron Maiden, love the riffs and shouts
Мейден з Полом Діано має таку майже панківську енергетику, але я більше люблю їхній "прог" період або класичні альбоми з Дікінсоном. І навіть з ери Пола я б обрав Кіллерс. Тому тут 3.5
Not my thing
i almost wanna give this four stars purely because of phantom of the opera, but the rest of their 80’s output really blows this out of the water for the most part
Lots of tasty 'Guitar Hero' riffs. This is a breezy and enjoyable quintessential Heavy Metal album. Top tracks: "Prowler," "Charlotte the Harlot," "Transylvania"
--Prowler...\m/. The guitar solo in the middle in fun. not much else to it --Remember Tomorrow...another sick solo bookended by tame melodic metal --Running Free...drums have a different feel here. straight forward bro rock but in a good way --Phantom of the Opera...eat your heart out, Andrew Lloyd Webber. this is the prog shit I came for --Transylvania...instrumental. hits real hard --Strange World...I like the bass here but, to me, this track kind of encapsulates a lot of the negative aspects of metal. this is moldy cheese where "Phantom of the Opera" is the top shelf Parisian shit --Charlotte the Harlot...an appreciated speed punk diversion. things eventually slow down. Di'Anno's voice shines here --Iron Maiden...nice, fat bass drives the track forward. dueling guitars always get the people (me) going
Hmmmm i really didn’t think i was enjoying this at the start there’s a genre that just sounds like school of rock music that i have not been able to take seriously but i’ll admit i was grooving by the end (does one groove to iron maiden?). Some of the guitar solos were pretty mental as well.
This album made me want to bust out the Guitar Hero. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to Iron Maiden but I was pleasantly surprised. I probably won’t reach for it but will be happy to listen again
Add metal to the list of genres that I’m not hugely knowledgeable about, but I was expecting this to be a lot heavier and harder to listen to. So enjoyed it more than I thought I would and can see why people might love it. I didn’t really know any of the songs but great tie in since I watched the new 28 Years Later film today and there was a great Iron Maiden moment
They’re no Wyld Stallyns
A pioneer that couldn’t be captured in a studio recording. I mean it is a lot of the same flavors but those flavors are delicious. The rawness in the voice is amazing.
A good first album. But not great.
Expected to hate it, but I got several tracks in before I got bored and started skipping tracks. I'd listen to it again in the background.
Surprisingly enjoyable
I feel like I should like this more than I do, with the prog elements and clear musical talent on display here. I felt strangely neutral while listening to this.
fun, veers a bit too close to hair metal for me. 3.5
I got 2 tickets to Iron Maiden baby, come with me Friday don’t say maybe. As far as debut albums go 👏🏼
Just cool, Prowler is an awesome song
Pales in comparison to their later albums when they dialed in the sound.
It's Iron Maiden, which is cool. But it's weird that this is the album for the list. I don't see the importance of this Maiden record versus Number of the Beast or Powerslave.
Love Maiden, but I don't feel the utter relevance of their sound.
actually pretty goood
I didn’t listen to this but I accidentally tapped a star and can’t undo it, sorry.
sounds like dad music 6/10
Assez sympa
You know it's early cuz the skeleton guy looks kinda derpy on the cover.
3. Surprised how much I liked a few of the tunes, look forward to hearing more of the discography.
Interestingly enough, as (at times) a metalhead, I never dived deep into Maiden's back-catalog. I started listening to them with "Live After Death" and almost all their albums that came after. That said, I was never a big Maiden fan either, although I do appreciate their later albums, leaning more towards a heavy prog-metal style. Even so, it turned out that this was my first listen to their first album. And, albeit without the legendary Bruce Dickinson, this was not bad. I can truly hear why they were heralded as pioneers of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal). Sometimes a bit proggy, and mostly straightforward power metal - you can even hear how this inspired the later Bay Area thrash bands (Metallica, Megadeth, etc.). Still, it's not an album I would revisit often, unlike "Powerslave" or "Live After Death." 3/5
Meh
Review Score: 3.5/5 Good rock album, amazing instrumentals, lyrically it lost me the further the album went on, but i think it'll come to me the more I listen to rock albums.
Lizzie P this time. Loved stranger world song. Appetising. Not much range.
Solid
Second IM record of two, and this one is not as good as Number of the Beast. The OG lead singer was no Bruce Dickinson, who puts his pants on one leg at a time, then makes gold records He's kind of a weak lead esp in front of the great band behind him. This likely lands here as an influencer, esp on early Metallica. All in all, it's a solid record and definitely informed what followed, but Maiden surpassed this with all of the Dickinson records and I'd say it's non-essential unless you are a metal fanatic
5 Album cover is too scary!!
Yeah it was alright for 80s metal
I had never given Iron Maiden any listening time because I expected it to be hair metal but this wasn't actually bad or cheesy or anything. I think it aged pretty well. My son liked it when we were riding in the car and it might end up in a rockin' rotation at some point.
Iron Maiden - Len Houmous’ pet name for his 23rd wife. Margaret Thatcher. 2.9 5/8 Transylvania
It did grow on me a lot, still not quite my personal vibe but I’d listen again passively
Torture me back at your lair!
Pretty decent, never been a fan but I wasn't bored. I like that they have a song that's Iron Maiden by Iron Maiden on the album Iron Maiden
Favorite songs- prowler, running free, & Iron Maiden When I think of 80s metal- this is what I think of
3.4/5 Good generic metal to put in the background while caffeinated
necete verovati ovo je bio prvi put da sam ikad pustila mejdena svejedno ne znam sto al meni je ovo mid mozda je do toga sto nmg strani tekst (😭) ako me ne lozi bas uglavnom mislim ima dobrih pesama al uglavnom mi je smor
I didn’t hate it and I thought I would!
I went into this expecting to quite like this, given I've love a lot of the harder rock albums so far, but this didn't quite hit for me. It was good but I didn't like it as much as I expected to. A solid 3.5.
I’ve never really listened to much Iron Maiden. As you can tell from my ratings, hair metal and “hard rock” aren’t my favorite genres but this one was pretty good actually! Liked it more than I expected to. The bass was what really caught my attention, good stuff! 7/10 Favorite Tracks- “Prowler” “Transylvania” “Iron Maiden”
First time really listening to iron maiden and pleasently suprised. Love how there are also calm songs in the mix, like strange world. Could see myself listening to it again. toegevoegd aan bibliotheek
meh
Good to hear Running Free again
Decent but probably don’t need to listen to it again
Only 2 years before Number of the Beast but I was much less familiar with the debut and think I liked it significantly less. I don't think it's just not having Bruce Dickinson, although that is partially it - this just sounds a lot closer to 70s hard rock than 80s power metal. The guitar work is still excellent in places, but I don't like it as much when it's more boogie-ish (for lack of a better word?) and less driving/chugging. Being more like Thin Lizzy is not necessarily bad, but I came to like the more thoroughly metal later sound and this was just an adjustment. Phantom of the Opera is the standout track, but the first/last bookend tracks are also very good.
Wasn’t impressed then, less impressed now. Gimmicky more than artistic.
Not sure... It's okay
La primera canço bastant més chill del que m'esperava. En general aplica per tot s'album. Aixi i tot i ha bastanta guitarra, pero no em sembla tan heavy metal.
great guitar
not my cup of tea, but i liked it
3.5/5 not their best but still strong
This album hit me differently at 20 then it does now 45 years later. When Maiden and Def Leppard both released albums during the NWOBHM period, what stood out was the punk influences that colored the traditional metal. The songs had a different energy, an aggressiveness not found in the more popular bands of the period who were leaning into prog. Maiden, less so than Motörhead, tried to strike the balance and as Maiden’s popularity grew after this record they became less interesting to me because I was becoming more punk rock and far less metal. The guitar tone on this record also strayed into punk rock so as it sits today, there are still a couple of enjoyable tracks - Prowler, Remember Tomorrow and Iron Maiden but the other 5 tracks, except perhaps Charlotte the Harlot, are less memorable. It was a nice revisit but my memories of this record as being far more enjoyable, are misplaced. I saw this tour of Canada and met them in Vancouver, so that might be a factor. Not a horrible record in any way, but just not as exciting today.
3/5
нормалек, но без эмоций. некоторые песни напомнили лед зепелин, думаем...
Better than average metal
Honestly, as far as early 80s metal goes, this was pretty bland, it was good for a whole sit down listen, but really nothing memorable stood out to me.
Not as dirty/distorted/loud as j was expecting
Not being a real Maidenhead, I'd never listened to anything pre-Bruce Dickinson. It's pretty clear that Maiden made the correct choice in hiring one of the great voices in rock history. That said, this album is way better than it has any business being. Heck of a bunch of catchy grooves scattered across the tight 40 minutes. Worth a listen.
I don’t have whatever bone in the body makes someone like heavy rock or metal, but this wasn’t bad
Good, but not great. I enjoyed it well enough, though I feel that starting with their debut album is doing this band a disservice.
Liked! nice guitar
Wasnt bad at all. Im still not a fan of Iron Maiden’s sound
this is how i think whippits would feel like
I had to check that The Number of the Beast, the album where Iron Maiden became Iron Maiden, was on here, because if not, you are hailing the wrong Satan, friend. This a fun record, like Thin Lizzy in Halloween costumes, but why listen to them crawl when you can witness them running to those hills two years later.
I love Iron Maiden. I don't know a lot about them, and I'm not giving this album any more than 3 stars, but I still love Iron Maiden.
It is absolutely essential that there be a classic Maiden lp on the list, and there is: Number of the Beast. This one is pretty good for a debut but has the singer they ditched after 2 albums. I'll rate it for content and not for shouldn't be on the list.
It was ok. It sounds like a debut album. I like Number of the Beast better. Favorite songs:: Transylvania, Strange World
Solid metal album. I can hear how they influenced a ton of rock artists that came after them. Highlights: "Phantom of the Opera" and "Strange World"
Pretty good, nothing particularly stood out.
Didn't manage to listen to this properly but maybe I'll come back to it
I’m never in the mood for this sort of stuff but it was pretty decent.
Well, it is what it is. Not bad tho
I liked this way more than I expected. Running Free and Phantom of the Opera were favorites.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to! My favorites were "Transylvania," "Phantom of the Opera," "Running Free," and "Strange World."
trademark galloping bass production wise, feels a lot rawer and more dirty than a normal iron maiden record the singing doesn't feel as enthusiastic as later records (i think that's a good thing) distinctive guitar solos, played quickly doesn't feel like heavy metal, more like early prog rock terrible cover art though surprisingly diverse songs (e.g. remember tomorrow v prowler)
I do like Iron Maiden, and even though this the first of the band might have historical importance, it is far from what the band achieved later on. 6/10
I'll admit I liked this more than I thought I would. It's not screaming metal...he actually sings, and doesn't sound half bad! I struggle to enjoy or even appreciate the vocalists who just yell words over loud guitars. These are proper songs, worth listening to! Still not my jam, but I get it.
As good a heavy metal album as I have heard.
Et av iron maidens kjedeligere album syns eg då, men eg syns generelt sett iron maden e ganske bra! ikkje alt for heavy, akk passe Beste sang: Iron Maiden
Since I was behind I was going to skip this one but saw the 5 stars from MitsFM so thought I had to listen. Metal is never going to be my favourite genre but this is one of the best metal albums I’ve heard and I imagine it’s pretty influential. Lyrics seemed a little less overtly demonic than the other Iton Maiden album on the list (or maybe I just couldn’t really understand them) so that made it an easier listen. While not my favourite style of guitar, there were spots where it just fuckin rips. Phantom of the Opera was the standout for me.
A lot softer than I expected, but still is doing well with what it is doing. Feels more like glam rock style than metal.
Pretty fun, didn't make a huge impression, but I'd listen to more from them.
I like it! From the perspective of 2025, it feels light pretty light metal but that does make it easy to listen to. There's great guitar and great bass and the vocals are only sometimes terrible. It's foundational for sure, not for a genre I love, but I can certainly respect it. The cover is iconic and grotesque, it's great for what it is, 4/5.
Im into it
I was sort of expecting more of a wall of sound but it was more...smooth? than I expected. I liked it. 👍Phantom of the Opera, Transylvania
Nothing really stood out to me
Solid metal album.
Honestly more punk inspiration on this than I expected. Not the best or heaviest Iron Maiden I've heard yet but very listenable and enjoyable. Never really went through an 80's metal phase but will probably revisit more of these. Transylvania is probably the standout as my favorite on this one.
I consider Iron Maider one of my favorite metal bands by far, but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a full album. I really enjoyed the raw sound on this record, I just don’t think Maiden became Maiden until Bruce Dickinson took over. Best Track: Phantom of the Opera
Cool, but kinda funny that this was heavy metal. Seems tame compared, but i understand it was ahead of its time. 3/5
Did not like it as much as I rhought I would. I just find it a bit boring compared to newer rock/metal
It was alright. Middle of the road heavy metal.
Not my normally type of music but I was quite surprised! Good for a gym work out!
Charlotte the Harlot was misogynistic but overall good album. Had some nice melodic parts which were unexpected
some iconic songs, too many guitar solos lol
Soy una abuela? Aprecio el nivel de músicos de Iron Maiden pero no es mi vibra.
I'm not super familiar with Maiden, I know bits and pieces, I've heard the odd album but possibly nothing from this earlier iteration of the band. It felt like a slightly looser version of them than the Dickinson lead band that spawned many of their big songs. And it really works for me, it carries a trace of 70s blues oriented rock that just softens it out a little but the Maiden trademarks are still there too. I think I prefer it and so I may be checking out a little more of Di'Anno lead Maiden.
Nah
bra, men svakere enn de andre
Great cover artwork and interesting listen. Not as heavy as I had imagined and story telling not overly dominated by guitars. Surprised.
Liked this one, but I do prefer Iron Maiden’s later stuff. Favorite Song(s): Phantom of the Opera, Iron Maiden
Being a metal head in the ‘80s and early 90s meant that you knew and listened to Maiden, even if you didn’t want to. Every house party, car, smoking pad, etc. was playing Maiden. This earliest album is a debut of one of Britain’s and the world’s biggest bands. It’s also is unique and historical, though not their best. It was a first so it’s due respect. Steve Harris made a workhorse machine of a band. For me, there were three standout: the title track; Phantom of the Opera; and Remember Tomorrow as a 3-2-#1. Paul Di’Anno was a good Rainbow-esque glam singer with a helluva range but if you get the chance to listen Dickinson do the same songs on Live After Death, it’s obvious who was the better singer. The original drummer Clive Burr also is impressive and Think it’s awesome that Maiden does an annual show to raise money for this medical treatments. I don’t know if I would have put this Maiden on the Top 1001 but for historical reference I get why it’s here.
Random thoughts: * I don’t have much to say about this one. * Never listened to an Iron Maiden album straight through unless we already did that for 1001. * Iron Maiden always freaked me out because of the scary album covers and t-shirts. * I’m unequipped to properly rate metal albums. There was thrashing, there was speedy guitar licks and solos, there was shrieking vocals. It checked all the boxes! Rock on!
A fun listen. Good heavy metal rock
It's mostly good, but I wasn't in the mood for the extended shredding.
Pretty basic rock. I thoroughly enjoyed a few of the solo sections, but some of these are slog to get through the repetitive parts. Mixed bag for me. Hard to rate.
I could only think of the joke in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
I really like Iron Maiden, but as this is their first album, I feel that it is a bit tame in comparison to later releases.
väldigt välskrivet, men känner att själva spelandet inte riktigt är helt där alltid, som att de har skrivit saker som är lite för svåra för dem. stundtals väldigt burkigt ljud, låter som att det kommer genom en konservburk, speciellt i basen. bra, men kunde varit mycket bättre
Fine album, but a band who clearly unlocked potential with bruce. Running free is the best song though.
Not huge on Maiden, but prefer the more 80’s leaning stuff which is weird.
Overall, great fun but you need to be in the right mood for this sort of thing - not really my comfort zone. Reckon my Iron Maiden collection will start and finish with The Number of the Beast.
This was better than I expected. Not as much of a metal hair band caricature as I thought it would be: decent songs.
Didn’t know they had another vocalist for the early albums. Pretty good!
I’ve finally listened to one of those albums with the scary (but very fuckin’ cool) ghoul on the cover! Hell yeah!!
5/10
Like many bands' first swing at bat, Maiden's debut doesn't exactly give the best idea of where they would go, but it has some solid rock tunes and great musicianship. It's unfortunate that Paul wouldn't be able to compete with Bruce, but thank God Bruce did eventually show up. Almost like your lead singer is important to the band's sound and direction.
A real theatrical album but not one of my favorites from Iron Maiden
Nice to revisit, never liked di’anno’s vocals as much but all the rough ingredients are there for the classic stuff.
I like this more than I expected to, but I didn't really enjoy it. I am unlikely to recognize any of this songs if I heard them again but I feel no need to ever listen to Iron Maiden ever again
I was entertained. For being the first from iron maiden, not bad
I like this album. It's their first, so the sound of this album is more raw, and one of the rare albums that doesn't have Bruce Dickinson singing. It reminds me a lot of Metallica's first album "Kill 'Em All". Just a killer studio sound. I'll rate this 3 of 5. Favorite tracks are: Prowler, Phantom of the Opera, and Transylvania.
Rv
classic earlier metal, with vocals that are almost half punk in style. great musicianship, though I'm not a huge Iron Maiden fan due to the clash between the guitar style and the vocals.
First time I’ve ever listened to Iron Maiden, and it was surprisingly good! Solid “classic” heavy metal
high 3 - not their best project but still really solid
Surprisingly diverse with obviously skilled musicians and strong production. Definitely heavy metal.
Good album ruined by its production. I casually enjoy Iron Maiden but prefer the Bruce fronted stuff.
Iron Maiden before Iron Maiden
Only heard two songs from it before and honestly, it's such a fun album. A slightly less "heavy" version of metal 3/5
I had a hunch & listened to two other Iron Maiden albums. This debut should not have been on this list. Look, it still shred, but their signature style & polish was missing.
I’d never heard most of these songs. Definitely not as good as other Iron Maiden stuff but after the last few days, it was a good listen. Bruce Dickinson sang the national anthem at the Kings opening game this year - neat
Лет 15 назад он меня очень впечатлял, но сейчас совершенно нет) кроме пары песен, слушать особо нечего. Но, тем не менее, класика хэви-метала, нужно иметь уважение
I mean it’s fine! Some tracks are pretty good, even. Real Billy Hargrove shit. Put me in a fast car and play these tunes. But I don’t know how much staying power it has for me. Musically there’s some cool stuff happening; I love the guitar work. But the rest kinda falls flat, I guess. Thematically, our last metal album was much stronger and, context taken into account, much more relevant.
I've never listened to a full Iron Maiden album before, and this is not the Iron Maiden I'm familiar with, so this was an interesting listen. It wasn't a life-changing experience for me, but like the Elvis album, it was cool seeing where so many artists have pulled influence from. "Phantom of the Opera" and "Transylvania" was a great 1-2 punch. I doubt I'll ever revisit this one.
As the knight adjust his helm and steadies his lance, the driving riff of "Transylvania" bursts in. This album is joust-core, duel-gaze, meant to be played loud over the clash of a friggin' medieval battle.
Great
What it says in the tin…
Everything was in place from the get-go. Obviously things change when Bruce comes in but belongs on the list. For me three stars is a pretty good album for a classic five is indispensable. This is a three.
Beaucoup de bon riffs mais je trouve que ce style là vieillit pas très bien.
I dont care for this version of metal. It's Iron Maiden do 1/2 star for cultural significance. 4.0 plus .5
Sounds like a mix of metal and rock. Good but I don't know how often I will come back to it. 7/10
This was definitely a case of don’t judge by the cover. Pleasantly surprised to find this less heavy than I’d expected.
it was fine, it was good. not the metal I reach for but important to history.
Mostly I’m thinking yeah
Better than I thought it was going to be.
Not for me
Actually better than I expected. While I have always liked metal, I never quite got Iron Maiden. Never seemed to have any emotion in it and while I have heard a lot of folks worship their technical prowess, I couldn't really hear it. When "Prowler" started I thought 2 things: 1. I was right. This sucks. 2. This singer is worse than Bruce Dickenson. Then we get to "Remember Tomorrow" and he actually sings good. Are there multiple singers? Nope. It's just that when he leans in to be a rock star, his voice fails. The good one shows up again in "Strange World". "Phantom of the Opera" and "Transylvania" have what will come to be known as the Iron Maiden signature sound. Good songs. Would love to hear them redone with better production. (The Ghost version of "Phantom of the Opera" is really good.) While I like it more than I expected, I don't think it will make the rotation. Will put "Phantom of the Opera" and "Transylvania" on a playlist or two though. Let's call it a 3.
Not that it was bad, just nothing caught my attention. It definitely sounds of an era
Enjoyed first listen and might return
I-ron Maiden-fly.
Metal with some godd bits. Not all of it is screamy scary angry noise. Dude on the album cover looks like a lot of Americans right now (January 12, 2026) Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Remember Tomorrow, Running Free, Phantom of the Opera, Transylvania, Strange World (guitar bits are fantastic). ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Saved some tracks.
somewhat hell yeah, somewhat repetitive
recording feels....empty? hollow? the music is fine, but something about the mix is off. other than that, it's a decent debut!
Great classics, thx
6/10
Not as fun or crazy as expected to be honest.
ok
Good noodling. Even some singing instead of screeching. One even sounded like Pink Floyd. Ok!
Another impressive debut for what later became an iconic heavy metal group. I know these early heavy metal albums tend to be a bit abrasive, but this sounds pretty damn good for only having been recorded in 13 days. More emphasis on the instrumentals here as opposed to later releases, as we have a few long stretches that showcase Murray, Stratton, Harris, and Burr's contributions. I didn't think there were any super notable standout tracks after listening, but then again, I don't think Iron Maiden was much of a "singles" group in the first place, rather more of a "sum of its parts".
Cover 6.5 Although they sound completely different, whenever I hear the name "Iron Maiden," I think of either Judas Priest or Megadeth. Probably because of the imagery. Megadeth I know. And really enjoy. I haven't really given Iron Maiden or Judas Priest enough time. Like my To Be Read list, my To Be Listened list keeps stacking higher and higher. However, I've now gotten at least one Iron Maiden album out of the way. And I do like it. It's funny how much more tame this style of "heavy metal" is, like Kiss, which was once considered loud noise. I was also never a hige Kiss fan either, although I've tried and there are songs here and there that I do like. That's basically why I haven't bothers with Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. They're too old sounding, I guess. Yet, it do like oldies and 70s music. I don't know. I guess it's just not for me.
I see why the bad is heralded so highly in metal circles. It was chill.
Not really for me... 2.5
That opening track is such a mission statement. It's hard for me to really appreciate Iron Maiden without Bruce Dickinson though - especially as a lot of other elements aren't fully formed yet either.
I like the music well enough, but even the original vocalist doesn't move this into a regular listening rotation.
More technical musically than I thought they’d be
I expected to hate this because metal is so not my genre, but wow, it rocks. Some great guitar parts, and not terribly screamy. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Prowler, Running Free, Phantom of the Opera ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Saved some tracks.
Few good songs great band tho
Raw, scrappy, and fun
Good record! I had an unfair aversion to Iron Maiden before listening to this. A tightly performed and very fun album. Self-titled tracks are a flex.
not really something I typically listen to, but it's a solid record and I legitimately enjoyed it. The mix has it's issues, like the vocals just seem too dry and don't feel like they belong in the mix. The songs hit hard and the riffs scream throughout the whole record. Maybe it's time I listen to some more Maiden and get hang with Eddie for a little bit.
Not too irritating for metal
First half was dynamic
Listening to albums like this is part of the reason I'm doing this project. I wouldn't have thought to listen to this record and I certainly didn't expect to like it. Thought I knew what Iron Maiden was all about, but I was wrong... at least with respect to this album. It's pretty damn good! Much more melodic than I would've expected and less screaming than I anticipated. In fact, the guy can actually sing. That said, I'm generally not a fan of the heavy metal genre, lyrically it's not exactly poetry, and it's just not really music that moves me personally, so I'm not going to rank it that highly for ME. But that said, objectively, it's definitely a good album. 3 stars.
I made it through 5 songs, which is a success for me and metal.
Running Free is still my all time (perhaps only real fav) Maiden track. This was a great listen, while reminding me via Charlotte the Harlot of how I don't actually like them all that much. So a three.
My parents’ music
It was fine.
Turns out it's not Iron Maiden I hate. It's Bruce Dickinson.
I’m not usually a heavy metal listener, but this was a great first spin. The guitar work was nice, the album was short and easy to get through, and while many of the songs blended together, I wouldn’t turn it off if it came on again.
I like this much more than I thought I would
Surprisingly good for me (not a metal fan)
I rather liked this but I feel I’d need more listens to appreciate it more. Some good tracks, particularly Phantom of the Opera.
When I see or hear Iron Maiden, I think of Bill and Ted's excellent adventure. This is as 3 as it gets. Don't love it, don't hate it, wouldn't turn it off, wouldn't seek it out.
There are better Maiden Albums than the self titled.
Perfect album for when you lack the proper tools for carpet removal so you use a hatchet.
I really really liked Prowler. The rest was okay
It's whatever, rocky.
I like it enough I guess.
Still not my cup of tea
Bruce Dickinson really opened up the playbook after whoever’s singing on this one left.
das war schonmal ein schöner Anfang, die besseren kommen noch und live sind die fantastisch
This band always had a great visual style. Not only entertaining but its consistency and cartoonishness told you a lot about them and their music before you ever listened to it. So even though I never dug metal I always had a soft spot for these guys because their album art told me that they didn't take themselves too seriously and were never going to be too demanding in terms of getting overly ambitious. Anyway, so I never heard this before today but was prepared to like it ok even though I am pretty far from the pimply headbanger I imagine to be their core audience. And I did!
Although this project would have been just fine without this early Iron Maiden album, it's still fun to listen to it again after many many decades. I'll admit that until the opening vocals on the not-aged-well "Prowler", I'd completely forgotten about the Paul Di'Anno era of Iron Maiden, which was much more raw than their later style; this is particularly noticeable in the classic "Running Free" as well as the somewhat painful "Charlotte the Harlot". I also enjoyed their quirky prog/punk "Phantom of the Opera" (I remember trying (and failing) to perfect the opening salvos on my guitar way back then), the quintessential IM dualing-guitar-attack of "Transylvania", and the title track, although none of the tracks really qualify as great songs. Much like the album, but there's a lot of heart in this too (all except apparently poor square-peg guitarist Dennis Stratton, who just wanted to play Queen-style ballads and smell the flowers).
Did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. That said, I didn't really like it as much as appreciate a few of the rhythms and some nice guitar.
Some of the songs are great, others are okay. Sounds more like a group of young men having fun and playing around with their instruments, which is great. I expected this to be really hardcore and difficult to listen to, especially considering the age. But I was pleasantly surprised, it’s fun and has a lot of musicality.
Awesome debut album from a legendary heavy metal band. I can hear how they evolved into long, melodic songs with amazing guitar solos in their later work based on the songs off this album. I'm glad they ditched Paul Di'Anno for Bruce Dickinson, I've never liked Paul's voice. This album I can tolerate him mostly. 3.44/5 stars
Prefer Black Sabbath or LED Zeppelin
Decent. More heavy than I expected for a "dad-metal" band. Fairly melodic. Great for a bands early album.
I love the drums and guitar but the vocals are weak and the lyrics silly. Does not belong in the top tier of metal albums.
Another metal album - fine, but just not my sort of thing - not a bad album - just all feel very similar
2.5 stars. I like that little guy on the front, but ehh to the rest.
“It’s nice for people who like that kind of music” - Nora My music history is all messed up. I thought this kind of metal didn’t come around until later in the 80s. There were parts I liked, mostly it was just too much.
Iron maidenista ei kai voi muuta sanoa kuin huh huh! Isoveljen kautta näihinkin biiseihin joskus tutustunut
I’m not particularly a fan of Iron Maiden, but I suppose this sounds exactly how you think a Maiden album would sound - soaring vocals, interesting lyrical imagery, and unnecessarily long guitar solos. Ticks all the boxes if it’s your thing, I guess - it just isn’t really mine.
First off, and entirely immaterial to the music, I feel like I must point out, Iron Maiden album covers are ridiculous. Just absolute nonsense. And, I would argue, completely misleading as they're a far more melodic band than that cover art suggests. After listening to this twice, I am now categorising Iron Maiden in the same list as U2: wouldn't turn it off if it came on shuffle, never going to choose to listen to it. 3/5
Not what I expected. I thought they would be more heavy metal. Just sounds like high-powered, guitar driven rock’n’roll to me. I’m impressed. Well done.
This was fine, but no bangers like a few other iron maiden albums
7,5/10
Really good guitar and the sound is overall nice. But generic lyrics and one very misogynist song. 6/10
I enjoyed this more than I expected.
A band I pretended to like as a kid circa 1987—for the posters—but found Bruce Dickinson’s vocals a bit shrill. This is probably heresy but I think I like Paul Di’Anno better?
It’s a solid Album but not as great as the number of the Beast!
Like it 3/5
You can hear flashes of what would make them great on Phantom of the Opera and Iron Maiden, but the rest is pretty pedestrian.
Not bad, but not my style
Perfectly cromulent metal.
Hey guys horns up from Australia. #MetalMonday. Errrm this looks like me before my morning coffee. Who’s ready to rock?! Alright. I can’t do it anymore. I have unleashed as much cringeworthy “pick me” content as I can muster and now it’s time to give Iron Maiden a fair shake. As a kid who gravitated towards the more gruff metal music, this band eluded me with the soaring vocals and melodic choruses. I am excited to see how this hits me now as the *ahem* open-minded music enjoyer I’ve become. Prowler - Great riff, especially with that bass line underneath. The vocals were always the part of Iron Maiden I couldn’t get behind, whether it’s this guy or Bruce Dickinson. There is just a bit of bite missing for me here. Not bad though. Remember Tomorrow - Remember? Tomorrow??? How can I ? Wait a second. You’re friggin with my mind, Iron. Is this the name of that Tom Cruise movie that I believe was on while I slept off a cold? Oh that was “Edge of Tomorrow.” This riff is a lot better than that was. Running Free - A decent song. There are riffs scattered in amongst this entire album that rule, but there is also a weakness in the vocals that I can’t shake. Phantom of the Opera - Fantastic intro. This leans on the instruments more and more and they go pretty hard. This is a solid track. Transylvania - Oh now we’re getting more metallic. The song title and the opening gallop. This feels like the Iron Maiden that I hoped existed beneath the layer of songs I didn’t quite get anything from. Sure, there are no vocals, and I’ve harped on that since the preview paragraph, but if the shoe fits… Strange World - Why does this album need a ballad? I’ll tell you, it doesn’t and this should be removed from the canon. Iron Maiden’s and music in general. Not for me. Charlotte the Harlot - uhh is this a late 90’s skate punk song? Oh god it kicks on from there. This is the dumbest song lyrically by far, but it rips pretty hard. Who am I to deny this drive? Ugh, at least until the emotional appeal to the woman you have been calling a “harlot” for the past two minutes. Not a bad track, but taken down by the lame lyrical content. Iron Maiden - There is something so satisfying about the triple name. The self-titled song on the self-titled record. Bliss. The song itself ain’t half bad either. This album is a lesson in Heavy Metal bass playing. In sayjng that that, There was some catching up to do from the rest of the band. This vocalist parting was best for everybody, and the beefing up of guitars will have to come around, or else future projects would suffer from the same hollow fate this album did. I’m not sure if it was the production, but this all felt so thin to me. There was an almost operatic feel to the entire album and I want that aesthetic far away from most of my music, especially metal. Iron Maiden’s maiden voyage didn’t provide much in the way of surprise, and didn’t quite break my perception of the giants of British Heavy Metal. Good, but not great, as I believe they have the potential to be. 3 HIGHLIGHTS: Remember Tomorrow, Phantom of the Opera, Transylvania
I am not sure if I've listened to this album before bc they're all kinda the same to me. It didn't change my impression from Iron Maiden: the music is technically well composed and played and everything's cool but it's just boring and predictable and cheesy as hell. Works ok as a background music.
Not bad. New to heavy metal some songs were pretty good. Even recognized certain sounds in modern culture references
Iron Maiden, I apricate them, but never got hooked in.
I can't say this was really to my taste, but I found it more enjoyable than other 80s metal I've listened to. The guitar is a bit more raw and melodic, and it has opportunities to breathe. The vocals are cheesy, but in some places remind me of the rawness of Rory Gallagher, weirdly enough, and it kind of works. "Phantom of the Opera" is an especially interesting track, kind of a classical feel with a bit of Brian May in the solo. I thought "Running Free" was the standout track, and I also liked some of the Pink Floyd feel of "Strange World". I think ultimately I get really worn out after about 15 mins of metal, so this album just started to drag and feel repetitive for me after a while. Much of it feels like "standard" metal of the period, with some shining moments. This is something I probably wouldn't listen to again, but it's not bad.
I love metal. Love iron maiden. But it doesn't age super well, does it?
Decent debut album. It was more melodic than I expected.
Enjoyed it more than I expected.
A+ branding, great pinball machine. Not for me but I can appreciate why it's cool.
What’s constantly running through rock and roll dude guy from Gilmore girls head
A great foundation for their later albums.
i love strange world. it feels like a song you’d play for a first love i can imagine dancing while this song is playing in the background. this is very rock n rolly i’ve been trying to get more into rock and this is perfect i love prowler too i love the guitar and drums in this album oh that guitar in strange world this is my favorite song on the album most definitely. the album can be loud too i like that charlotte the harlot is very dancey to me i love it
Not the biggest fan of (heavy) metal, but this was okay.
The classic Maiden riffs are here, but they are not as full in the mix. The bass is, of course, excellent. Di’Anno’s vocal delivery is very different than Bruce Dickinson’s, and unfortunately I think I prefer the latter. Feels like what it is, the debut from a band who would change vocalists and find their sound later on. I could see being intrigued by this debut and eagerly awaiting the follow up in 1980.
Solid album. Not a huge fan of metal in general but older metal has my heart.
This is one album that has not aged well. I can see where some of the later bands (Metallica, for one) got their inspiration, but hindsight is not kind to this one. That being said, it was surprisingly musical. If you listen to this with nostalgia, it is probably great. But the genre left these baby steps (and my tastes) behind long ago. It needs a remix. Still a good album, just not my thing.
Lyssnade inte så aktivt, hade på den i bakgrunden. Helt ok...
Steam iron
Very tame for Iron Maiden and none of the future bangers they’re known for. I likes it but kept waiting for the songs to kick in
Never known why these guys were so popular. Cabaret metal.
I am not into metal but this album was above expectation. The melodies where nice and the instrumentation enjoyable. Cool.
Once cool music that has become dad music. Time comes for us all