Full disclosure- Iron Maiden is my favorite band of all time. They’re the act that got me into metal, and music as a whole. It’s hard for me to be objective about them. But at the same time, the first Maiden album is kind of a mixed bag. The songs themselves are incredible- Steve Harris’ ear for melody, riffs and harmony were evident from the very beginning. And while I know that he was waiting for a muse with a stronger range, Di’Anno’s performances are on point throughout. However, the album’s production is hollow as sin, making its tracks have a fraction of the power they deserve. Meeting halfway, it’s a B+ for me. They’ll get much more right with their follow-up. On another note, it’s absurd that Maiden only has 2 albums in this book, and this is one of them. We really don’t need 4 Metallicas, especially not And Justice for Mid. That should be swapped for Killers or Powerslave, easy.
Heavy 1001 is Heavy reviews
The first album of a legendary career; dare I even say the greatest metal band of all time? It has a couple spots where the songwriting could be tighter, but overall this is a great album/
Great debut from a legendary heavy metal band, but I personally prefer the era starting from The Number of the Beast in part due to the production here being a little flat. Highlights: Remember Tomorrow, Phantom of the Opera
Not familiar with this record. Pretty strange hearing Maiden without Bruce Dickinson's voice, but the galloping rhythms and frantic bass are pretty unmistakable. Not bad overall; not my favorite Maiden record though.
Nothing about this really stuck out to me. I'm disappointed. I thought I'd like it more. 3/5