Iron Maiden

Performer: Iron Maiden
Engineer: Martin Levan
Producer: Will Malone
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Just as punk was mutating into new wave and the '70s were coming to a close, Iron Maiden came onto the British music scene as part of a movement known as the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Named for a medieval torture instrument, Iron Maiden was founded by bass player Steve Harris and released their self-titled debut in 1980. Roughly produced by Will Malone, the songs were influenced by the group's fascination with horror films ("Phantom Of The Opera") and the macabre ("Transylvania," "Prowler"). Driven by Harris' driving bass and Paul Di'Anno's raspy vocals, songs such as the moody "Remember Tomorrow" and the more aggressive "Charlotte The Harlot" also featured the melodic interplay of guitarists Dave Murray and Dennis Stratton. "Running Free" was the album's anthem and landed Maiden a slot on Top Of The Pops, where in their refusal to lip-synch, they became the first band to play live on the show since The Who's 1972 appearance.

Q (8/00, p.127) - Included in Q's "Best Metal Albums Of All Time" - "...Viewed as a punk-metal hybrid....there remains a streetwise edge to this debut that [they] never recaptured..."

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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