Fear of the Dark [Enhanced] [Limited]

Performer: Iron Maiden
Engineer: Martin "The Juggler" Birch
Producer: Martin Birch; Steve Harris
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: This is an Enhanced CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. The Enhanced portion includes music videos for "Be Quick Or Be Dead" and "From Here To Eternity." Iron Maiden: Bruce Dickinson (vocals); Dave Murray, Janick Gers (guitar); Steve Harris (bass); Nicko McBrain (drums). Additional personnel: Michael Kenney (keyboards). Recorded at Barnyard Studios, Essex, United Kingdom. This Limited version features vinyl replica packaging. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Personnel: Bruce Dickinson (vocals); Dave Murray , Janick Gers (guitar); Michael Kenny (keyboards); Nicko McBrain (drums). Audio Mixer: Steve Harris . Recording information: Barnyard Studios, Essex, England. Illustrator: Melvyn Grant. Photographer: George Chin. Unknown Contributor Role: Phil Anstice. Although alternative rock was burning up the charts in 1992, longtime metallist outfit Iron Maiden admirably stuck to its guns with FEAR OF THE DARK. This effort follows in the path of 1990's NO PRAYER FOR THE DYING, as Maiden again sticks to more simple compositions, avoiding the more ambitious songwriting tendencies that marked the group's late-'80s work. The album-opening "Be Quick or Be Dead" recalls the work of such younger speed metal bands as Megadeth, while "From Here to Eternity" is one of Maiden's few forays into tales of sex and sin, a la Guns N' Roses. Unfortunately, Singer Bruce Dickinson quit the band after the ensuing tour (although he and guitarist Adrian Smith would return for a reunion in 1999). While 1992's Fear of the Dark was definitely more of a return to form for Iron Maiden, it was still wasn't quite on par with their exceptional work from the '80s. Easily an improvement over 1990's lackluster No Prayer for the Dying (both musically and sonically), the album debuted on the U.K. charts at number one. The opening "Be Quick or Be Dead" proved Maiden could easily hold their own with younger thrash metal bands, "From Here to Eternity" contained lyrics that seem better fitted for M�tley Cr�e, while the expected epic album-closing title track would become a concert staple (all three tracks were released as U.K. singles). While Maiden records of the past would contain an album's worth of first-rate material, Fear of the Dark is again weighed down with too many drab compositions -- "Childhood's End," "Chains of Misery," "Judas Be My Guide," and more. The serene "Wasting Love" proves to be one of Maiden's better ballads of the '90s, while the rockers "Fear Is the Key" and "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" are also standouts. Fear of the Dark would be singer Bruce Dickinson's final studio album with the band (until their late-'90s reunion), as he publicly voiced that he felt the band had run its course. [On all of Iron Maiden's 1998 reissues on Raw Power a multimedia section is featured on the CD, which includes videos, band biographies, tour date history, and photo galleries.] ~ Greg Prato

Q (6/92, p.106) - 3 Stars - Good - "...the ultimate heavy metal band...the Maiden sound is exhilarating...rocks like a dervish..."

Iron Maiden were one of the leaders of the early-1980s New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement energized by the spirit of punk. Maiden built upon their initial cult success, eventually leading to global domination by the mid '80s. The band's singer for the first couple of albums was Paul Di'Anno, but the arrival of vocalist Bruce Dickinson marked the vintage Iron Maiden era. In the '90s, Dickinson was replaced briefly by Blaze Bayley before the classic lineup reunited at that decade's end. Besides the music, Maiden received extra publicity for their undead mascot, "Eddie," who graced numerous album covers, posters, and t-shirts.

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