Although this is the third Iron Maiden studio album, it’s their first with Bruce Dickinson (Paul Di’Annio having that old rock and roll problem with addiction). Just as Deep Purple pretty much laid down what to expect from a Seventies hard rock song, Iron Maiden I’d argue do that here with the new heavy metal sound. Some of it sounds a bit cliched these days, but that’s because this is where the cliches come from.
This is especially true with 22 Acacia
Avenue with its galloping beats, power chord opening and squealy guitar solos,
while Children Of The Damned is a classic power ballad kind of a song. The
Prisoner starts with the opening to the classic TV show, even though the song
itself doesn’t seem to have anything lyrically connected to the show. The track
does however turn into a great Nu-Metal kind of guitar solo (with Clive Burr
delivering thunder on the drums).
Apparently the group asked Patrick McGoohan
permission to use the track to which McGoohan reportedly said “A rock
band, you say? Do it”. The band also wanted Vincent Price to deliver the
opening reading from Revelation for the excellent title track but couldn’t
afford him (whereas Michael Jackson evidently could for Thriller).
The stand out track, for me, is the classic
Run To The Hills. This is not the first song about the genocide of Native
Americans (Neil Young got there first), but it’s one of the most instantly
recognisable ones, and the most powerful. Surprisingly short, though.
If there was any doubt about Dickinson’s
ability to take up vocal duties, they’re erased by this track alone, although
he comports himself well throughout. Able to reach the Robert Plant high notes,
he’s also got a good growl when he wants to. And I was once on a plane that he
was flying, so there you go.
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