Instead of Live After Death I opt for Rock in Rio. The band had just joyfully regrouped with Dickinson and Smith, released a killer comeback album after the aimless Bailey-years, and is simply on fire. Add to this a South-American audience that is going completely bonkers, prompting the band to really give everything they've got and you got a tremendous album in your hands. Rock in Rio also offers a nice selection of old and new Maiden, including some Bailey-years songs, that are now performed by Dickinson and heavily improved.
― Sebastian (Royal Mermaid Mover), Friday, 13 August 2010 15:45 (fourteen years ago) link
really though, any of them from the first dickinson era, can't go wrong...and gonna recommend 'fear of the dark' too
hah, fear of the dark was actually my first maiden album simply because it had just come out circa when I figured that I should check em out. have more affection than most for this reason but there are some serious clunkers on it!
― original bgm, Friday, 13 August 2010 15:58 (fourteen years ago) link
Alright I've been listening to Iron Maiden tunes all morning, how have I missed this band before??
― ilxor has truly been got at and become an ILXor (ilxor), Friday, 13 August 2010 15:58 (fourteen years ago) link
a lotta people never get into em cuz they think from the exterior that they're this cheesy cock-rock group or something. I got into em when I was about 17, and my life was never the same.
― plate of dinosaurs (San Te), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:02 (fourteen years ago) link
i mean my bank account balance was permanently reduced by the cost of those cds
Number of the Beast
― glitter hands! glitter hands! razzle! dazzle! (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:03 (fourteen years ago) link
Number is one I like a lot, but to me it doesn't hold up next to the albums that bookended it.
"Children of the Damned" though is one of their best ballads evah.
― plate of dinosaurs (San Te), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:04 (fourteen years ago) link
this was exactly my reaction to Powerslave oh so many years ago
― How could you forget the crazy hooker? (HI DERE), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:19 (fourteen years ago) link
I was introduced to Maiden by the song "Wasted Years," but I didn't buy an album until Seventh Son, et al. I'll always hold them close, but the '82-'85 era is primetime.
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 13 August 2010 16:22 (fourteen years ago) link
By "them," I mean that song and that album in particular.
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 13 August 2010 16:23 (fourteen years ago) link
I only own Killers/NOTB/POM/Powerslave, I'd pick Piece Of Mind 'cos I think it's got the strongest hooks. I need to check out the others on this list someday too. The CDs are always cheap enough (by the way, does anyone here own the full set of reissues with the picture from the first album across the spines?).
― Gavin in Leeds, Friday, 13 August 2010 16:27 (fourteen years ago) link
Powerslave is my favorite, but I think its a no-brainer that the place to start is Number of the Beast.
― Chicago to Philadelphia: "Suck It" (Bill Magill), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:30 (fourteen years ago) link
number of the beast is a terrible place to start imo, album has 3 good songs, you can probably guess what they are
ps "run to the hills" is not one of them
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:34 (fourteen years ago) link
been listening to a lot of maiden lately and I'm surprised to find piece of mind is the one I find most consistent
production is a little tinny on it tho
if piece of mind had the same production quality as powerslave it would be pure gravy
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:36 (fourteen years ago) link
powerslave is good but I don't like "rime of the ancient mariner" or "losfer words" and that's 1/3 of the album right there
also it's a weird thing to be concerned about iron maiden's thematic concepts, but powerslave struck me as very samey. the first 5 songs with lyrics are all centered around war/battle imagery. and it opens with "aces high", a retread of "where eagles dare" from piece of mind. sonically it's a powerful album but content wise it seemed like they were starting to recycle instead of expand their themes.
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:46 (fourteen years ago) link
killers untouchable imo
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:47 (fourteen years ago) link
so I guess what I'm saying is killers, piece of mind
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:48 (fourteen years ago) link
"quest for fire" is the only dud song on piece of mind
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 16:54 (fourteen years ago) link
I'm a huge di'anno stan but never liked the debut album
production's thin and the songs just aren't there yet
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 17:10 (fourteen years ago) link
WHUT????
omg THE SONGS ARE INCREDIBLE.
― plate of dinosaurs (San Te), Friday, 13 August 2010 17:12 (fourteen years ago) link
never really felt 'em
for a long time I thought the production got in the way but even listening to the full version of maiden japan, I just dig the killers material so much more
I think the only songs I really dig from the debut are "running free" and "sanctuary" and the latter wasn't even on the album originally
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 17:18 (fourteen years ago) link
Killers
Not liking "Prowler" is ridiculous.
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Friday, 13 August 2010 17:31 (fourteen years ago) link
Prowler rules just for the opening alone -- catchy simple two chord riff, with simple "wah" drenched lead, but it just makes me wanna leap out of my seat
― plate of dinosaurs (San Te), Friday, 13 August 2010 17:34 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWr-HtpTOyI
vs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjGCSuBpeH8
― Fig On A Plate Cart (Alex in SF), Friday, 13 August 2010 17:35 (fourteen years ago) link
ok I'm gonna revisit iron maiden but I always go in with high hopes, and they come back dashed. maybe the recent remaster is the answer.
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 20:07 (fourteen years ago) link
^that's almost like the guy who said he likes sushi but doesnt like raw fish and seaweed.
― Sabbath to Ulver: "Suck It" (Bill Magill), Friday, 13 August 2010 20:12 (fourteen years ago) link
I know! it's weird
this is a picture of me btw
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/edwardiii/guysrocknrollcelebritylifestyle.jpg
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 20:23 (fourteen years ago) link
And that guy hates Number of the Beast as well!
― Sabbath to Ulver: "Suck It" (Bill Magill), Friday, 13 August 2010 20:29 (fourteen years ago) link
shit from killers is so relentless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUnGqVLw9P8
― (e_3) (Edward III), Friday, 13 August 2010 23:31 (fourteen years ago) link
I third the suggestions for Piece Of Mind. Number of the Beast may be an obvious entrypoint to someone new to the band because of some of their most well-known songs, but Piece Of Mind sounds heavier thanks to better production and better playing, thanks also partly to new drummer Nicko. The hooks, the mesmerizing solos, I think it's totally their peak.
― Fastnbulbous, Friday, 13 August 2010 23:36 (fourteen years ago) link
You can't go wrong with any of their 80s stuff. But go with Live After Death first. It's Maiden at their zenith.
― A. Begrand, Friday, 13 August 2010 23:46 (fourteen years ago) link
Fuck it, man, get 'em all.
― spazzercise (staggerlee), Saturday, 14 August 2010 14:01 (fourteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― System, Tuesday, 17 August 2010 23:01 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFZJY1JR0eIbrave new world
― kamerad, Tuesday, 17 August 2010 23:11 (fourteen years ago) link
really, if you dig up on amazon you may be able to find a lot of em cheap. and I mean better to get em in one shot than to buy one, then spend the next few weeks at work going GOD I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL I GET HOME SO I CAN GET "XX" ALBUM BY IRON MAIDEN.
― plate of dinosaurs (San Te), Tuesday, 17 August 2010 23:11 (fourteen years ago) link
i think this just might be my favorite Maiden release post Dickinson reunion. Brave New World was it for a while but it is let down by the end of teh album.
― plate of dinosaurs (San Te), Tuesday, 17 August 2010 23:36 (fourteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― System, Wednesday, 18 August 2010 23:01 (fourteen years ago) link
oh come on
― michangelo wuz a party d00d (San Te), Wednesday, 18 August 2010 23:04 (fourteen years ago) link
The Number of the Beast 5 Powerslave (rebuy since you can't play the cassette anymore) 0 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 0
fuck you srsly. I like Number but my god it pales in comparison to 4-5 other albums
― michangelo wuz a party d00d (San Te), Wednesday, 18 August 2010 23:06 (fourteen years ago) link
ilx, can't get maiden right
― (e_3) (Edward III), Thursday, 19 August 2010 01:05 (fourteen years ago) link
i want explanations from the 5 NOTB voters
― the master of unlocking (San Te), Sunday, 22 August 2010 15:22 (fourteen years ago) link
BEST IRON MAIDEN STUDIO ALBUM <------- correct results
― the master of unlocking (San Te), Sunday, 22 August 2010 15:25 (fourteen years ago) link
Didn't vote NOTB, but with songs like Hallowed be Thy Name, Children of the Damned and 22 Acacia Avenue, it easily ranks amongst Maiden's best work. I'd deem Gangland to be the only filler song and even that track is really good. Also, NOTB still has that raw, dark and gloomy edge about it that only can be found on Maiden's debut and, especially, Killers. After that, Maiden got more transparent and lighter in tone. Also: Clive Burr at its finest. Yeah, I can definitely see the love for this one.
― Sebastian (Royal Mermaid Mover), Sunday, 22 August 2010 15:47 (fourteen years ago) link
My objection isn't so much on the grounds that it isn't a kickass album, as it is -- "Children of the Damned" has a fantastic coda which pushes it from great to legendary, and 22 Acacia Avenue is fantastic. While I would say I like every song on the album, some of them don't hit as high ("Invaders" has a corny chorus, "Run to the Hills" is good but the chorus is a bit annoying).
I feel like Piece of Mind was more consistent, with higher highs, and Powerslave was overall a more aggressive album that hit higher highs as well. I also love the two D'ianno albums more than Number (in fact, I rank both very highly).
I wouldn't put NOTB higher than 4th or 5th.
― the master of unlocking (San Te), Sunday, 22 August 2010 15:55 (fourteen years ago) link
Good thing you weren't the only one voting.
― EZ Snappin, Sunday, 22 August 2010 15:57 (fourteen years ago) link
har har.
the only victim in all of this is Dan, who will get home and realize taht while NOTB is good, he could have had a better album. and that's something that may slightly bug him for five minutes or so.
― the master of unlocking (San Te), Sunday, 22 August 2010 15:59 (fourteen years ago) link
Until he hears the other ones, how will he know? And who knows, like many people here he might like it more than you do.
FYI, if you wish for honest discussion or responses starting off with "fuck you srsly" is probably not the way to go.
Honestly, I won't ever listen to a record they did after Piece of Mind (excepting Live After Death, and even that one I don't really care for. As Sebastian put it so well, I'll just quote him
NOTB still has that raw, dark and gloomy edge about it that only can be found on Maiden's debut and, especially, Killers. After that, Maiden got more transparent and lighter in tone.
Powerslave and on just don't appeal to my ears as far as the production. They still can write some great songs, and it's why I'd still see them live, but I just don't like what they do in the studio.
― EZ Snappin, Sunday, 22 August 2010 16:10 (fourteen years ago) link
really not getting that you missed that I was being tongue in cheek, what with the fact that I said he'd be annoyed "for five minutes". I actually felt like adding new discussion to this thread because I happened to be spinning the new Maiden which prompted it.
LOL dude, what board are you on again? its been a pretty common gag after polls end for someone to say a variant of "fuck off" after the results are posted, depending on how challopsy the results are (though I wouldn't say this is a challops, so much as it is RONG).
Anyway I have to disagree respectfully that NOTB has this 'dark and gloomy edge', the chorus guitar riff on Invaders is cheesy as hell, and Run to the Hills is fairly happy sounding. I mean no doubt it's a good album but I don't really consider that album to be in any way related sonically to the D'Ianno albums.
Powerslave isn't "dark" either, but it does rock...like ferociously.
― the master of unlocking (San Te), Sunday, 22 August 2010 16:31 (fourteen years ago) link
i also realize that came from a review you didn't write so I don't mean to attribute that quote to you either
fuck you srsly.
― EZ Snappin, Sunday, 22 August 2010 16:33 (fourteen years ago) link
oh snap.
― the master of unlocking (San Te), Sunday, 22 August 2010 16:33 (fourteen years ago) link
But seriously, though the riffs were still great afterwards in general the tone of the records became cleaner and lighter. Their are small remnants of the nasty sounds of the Di'Anno years in NotB, though not enough for my personal taste.
― EZ Snappin, Sunday, 22 August 2010 16:40 (fourteen years ago) link
Fell out of love w/ Maiden right after Powerslave, so haven't heard anything released since (I did buy Live After Death for my sister's b-day at the time...but wasn't curious enough to listen.)Piece of Mind was the only album of the initial 5 studio that i never purchased because i hated (HATED!) Icarus. Never liked the patented Maiden "gallop", and until Icarus, I don't think the gallop had ever been slowed down to such a sludgy tempo (i might be wrong). I basically punished the whole record because of its inclusion.Killers wins for me.
― Sanford, Sunday, 22 August 2010 16:40 (fourteen years ago) link
I really like both eras a lot, I mean I don't think Dickinson could have pulled off the D'ianno era sound, his voice was more suited for the material they wrote. whereas D'iannos was perfect for the raw, rock'n'rolly nature of the first two albums.
I hold the first two albums in high regard, maybe even the highEST regard (the s/t has alternated as my favorite on and off for years, and Killers isn't far off).
― the master of unlocking (San Te), Sunday, 22 August 2010 16:44 (fourteen years ago) link
this new album is still holding up REALLY well.
― it takes a nation of will.i.ams to hold us back (San Te), Sunday, 3 October 2010 14:34 (thirteen years ago) link
Lol I forgot to buy a Maiden album
Will fix that today
― THE CHOMPING DUCK GETS HIS FATTY OUT FOR VADAR (HI DERE), Sunday, 3 October 2010 16:00 (thirteen years ago) link
get killers
do it do it
― aerosmith: live at gunpoint (underrated aerosmith albums I have loved), Sunday, 3 October 2010 16:45 (thirteen years ago) link
Don't forget Live After Death either. But Killers first.
― EZ Snappin, Sunday, 3 October 2010 16:47 (thirteen years ago) link
just buy the 1st 3, keep everyone happy.
― pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 3 October 2010 16:48 (thirteen years ago) link
noone will be more happier than yourself mind you
― pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Sunday, 3 October 2010 16:49 (thirteen years ago) link
cuz you will be listening to 3 great Maiden albums for the first time.
it's funny, I am guessing everybody who remembers the thrill of finding out maiden is great shares this "oh man you're gonna have fun now" feeling
― aerosmith: live at gunpoint (underrated aerosmith albums I have loved), Sunday, 3 October 2010 16:55 (thirteen years ago) link
Guys, you are forgetting I already think Powerslave is awesome
also I got Number of the Beast and "Childen of the Damned" is like exactly my type of shit
― I lettered in Sam and Carl (HI DERE), Sunday, 10 October 2010 19:32 (thirteen years ago) link
oh and so is "The Prisoner"
― I lettered in Sam and Carl (HI DERE), Sunday, 10 October 2010 19:34 (thirteen years ago) link
Children of the damned is a definitive Maiden ballad. Especially the end -- classic. Live versions rock even more
― THE SOMEWHAT COMPETENT RANDY (San Te), Sunday, 10 October 2010 19:48 (thirteen years ago) link
This poll was OTM, btw
― ancient, but very sexy (DJP), Monday, 21 March 2011 17:00 (thirteen years ago) link
still prefer the 1st album
― Algerian Goalkeeper, Monday, 21 March 2011 19:22 (thirteen years ago) link
I ran out of Maiden albums (sans a few live albums but how many versions of "Run to the Hills" do I NEEEED, man?), so I bought the first Dickinson Samson album. was that a dumb move?
― Neanderthal, Sunday, 20 July 2014 06:02 (ten years ago) link
also Dan which ones do you have now?
Now there's some true Maiden addiction, seeking out Bruce Bruce with Samson! Actually I like Shock Tactics (1981) and Head On (1980) just as much as any other NWOBHM b-lister in that era. Of course I believe Piece Of Mind is fucking perfect, so what do I know.
They've really been raking it in with their live shows, they haven't had much time for writing or the studio it seems. Maybe they'll have something new next year?
― Fastnbulbous, Wednesday, 23 July 2014 15:02 (ten years ago) link