As a lifelong fan of Iron Maiden, I must say that compiling this list has been a journey through time and space – much like the band’s music itself! Each album represents a unique chapter in their illustrious career, and it is an absolute privilege to have grown up with their tunes as a soundtrack to my life.
Iron Maiden is undeniably one of the most renowned and emblematic heavy metal groups ever. Originating in London back in 1975, they have stood as a beacon of reliability within the music scene, dropping 17 studio albums and performing more than 2,500 shows across the globe.
Over the course of 44 years, Iron Maiden has provided fans with a wealth of music to explore, ranging from their first self-titled album all the way up to Senjutsu, their latest record.
Here we take a look at the top 10 albums in the band’s discography.
Ranking the top ten Iron Maiden albums from worst to best
No. 10- A Matter of Life And Death (2006)
Although not a concept album in the traditional sense, “A Matter of Life and Death” delves into the topics of religion and war, giving it a distinctive tone and atmosphere. This record is most enjoyable when played from start to finish because several tracks seamlessly blend together. Notably, this is the only Iron Maiden album that they have performed live in its entirety, which happened during their tour in 2006 and 2007.
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my awe as “Different World” kicks off with Iron Maiden delivering top-notch performance from the get-go. Tracks like “The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg”, “For The Greater Good of God”, and “These Colours Don’t Run” stand out as the album’s crown jewels. This record extends their impressive streak and marks the band’s strongest three-album sequence since they were at their peak in the late 80s.
No. 9-Dance of Death (2003)
After the successful return of Bruce Dickinson with their reunion album, Iron Maiden continued their momentum by releasing “Dance of Death” in 2003. Clocking in at 68 minutes, this album delivers a strong impact without much unnecessary material across its 11 tracks.
Key tracks on the album are “No More Lies”, “Rainmaker”, “Journeyman”, and the title song, which were regularly played during the accompanying tour. The album offers a well-balanced mix of acoustic and electric sounds and is considered one of the band’s top achievements in the 21st century.
No. 8- Brave New World (2003)
In 2000, the album “Brave New World” emerged as Bruce Dickinson’s return to Iron Maiden after a nine-year absence. The band’s performance was marked by his presence, making it their strongest release since “Somewhere in Time” from 1988. Among its standout tracks are “Blood Brothers”, “The Wicker Man”, as well as the epic pieces “Dream of Mirrors” and “The Thin Line of Love and Hate”.
The Blaze Bayley albums from the ’90s weren’t poor quality at all, but “Brave New World” was truly a comeback to their prime and played a significant role in propelling the band into the new millennium with an impressive impact.
No. 7- Killers (1981)
In the Paul D’ianno era, the second and concluding album, titled “Killers“, adopts a strategy similar to their first self-titled album, which proved successful. This album is characterized by its rawness and energy, yet it tends to be front-loaded, with the superior tracks appearing on side one of the record.
Distinctive songs on this album are “The Ides of March” and “Wrathchild,” that powerfully commence the record, and the title track with its booming bassline, transporting you on an adventure to conjure a chilling, ominous atmosphere through the perspective of a murderer. Although not as uniformly excellent as its predecessor, the album “Killers” showcases much strong material and served as a fitting farewell as the band embarked upon a new phase.
No. 6- Somewhere in Time (1986)
On the album “Somewhere In Time“, synthesizers took center stage as Iron Maiden sought to innovate their sound and infuse a touch of elegance into their music. This strategy proved successful, as “Somewhere In Time ” is a cohesive record that deserves recognition and praise. Notable tracks on the album include the timeless hit “Wasted Years”, as well as deep cuts such as “Deja Vu” and “Alexander the Great”, the latter of which was recently performed live for the first time, bringing joy to fans across the globe.
This album, one of the priciest the band’s ever produced, is undeniably a worthwhile investment given its polished production and top-notch tracks that are regaining the acclaim they merit. As they kick off their “Future Past” Tour stretching through 2024, it seems these songs are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.
No. 5- Iron Maiden (1980)
In the world of heavy metal music, Iron Maiden unveiled their self-titled first album back in 1980, a groundbreaking release that echoed the rough style Metallica employed with their debut album “Kill ‘Em All.” This early work served as the blueprint for their future endeavors.
This album boasts an impressive fusion of slow ballads and fast-paced numbers, including “Running Free”, “Prowler”, “Remember Tomorrow”, “Strange World” and the instrumental piece “Transylvania”. The band excelled at merging punk rock, metal, and progressive rock, creating a timeless album that significantly boosted the career of one of the most renowned bands in music.
No. 4- Piece of Mind (1983)
Back in ’82, Iron Maiden blew everyone away with their groundbreaking “The Number of the Beast” album. So when they dropped “Piece of Mind,” I wasn’t just excited – I was on edge. And let me tell you, they didn’t disappoint! From the moment it hit the shelves, it was clear this album was a smash hit, both among fans and critics alike.
Musically speaking, this collection explores various tales from ancient texts woven into its tracks. For instance, “The Trooper” incorporates the 1854 poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” while “To Tame A Lamb” draws inspiration from the science fiction novel “Dune.” Greek mythology is also touched upon in “The Flight of Icarus.” Despite the first half not reaching the heights of side two, Piece of Mind, this album as a complete work has proven its longevity and enduring appeal over the past 31 years.
No. 3- Powerslave (1984)
From the get-go, “Powerslave” is an unyielding album that maintains its pace without missing a beat. The band opens the record with “Aces High”, a song written from the perspective of a fighter pilot, which has become a regular in their live performances and is one of their most recognized songs. It’s been featured in Madden 10, Nitro Circus, and other projects.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how the album concludes with the mesmerizing “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. This extended piece of music transports listeners on an enchanting voyage, mirroring Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem of the same title. Clocking in at 13 minutes and 45 seconds, it was the band’s longest composition until they outdid themselves with “The Empire of the Clouds” in 2015.
The album “Powerslave” served as an introduction for Iron Maiden to a fresh audience, with songs like “Aces High” and “2 Minutes to Midnight” getting frequent play on rock radio stations. From a technical viewpoint, “Powerslave” marked the last authentic classic Iron Maiden album without synthesizers or keyboards, offering approximately 50 minutes of unadulterated heavy metal brilliance for fans to enjoy.
No. 2- The Number of the Beast (1982)
In March 1982, Iron Maiden made their mark as heavyweights in the metal music scene with the release of “The Number of the Beast.” This album marked the arrival of Bruce Dickinson, previously from Samson, whose contribution was warmly received and helped propel Iron Maiden to unprecedented levels of success they had never known before.
This album showcases some of Iron Maiden’s evergreen hits like “Run to the Hills”, “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, and their iconic anthem in the title, all of which are well-known and beloved tracks from their discography.
No. 1- Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son (1988)
The band’s sole concept album so far, titled Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, continues the progressive metal approach initiated by its previous work, Somewhere in Time. It incorporates keyboards and synthesizers to produce a richer, more robust sound. Consequently, it has become an enduring masterpiece filled with timeless classic rock anthems that continue to resonate strongly even after 35-plus years.
As a die-hard metalhead, let me tell you, the album kicks off with an explosive bang through Moonchild and never falters for its full 44 minutes, delivering nothing but top-tier metal mastery. Standout tracks on this record include Moonchild itself, The Clairvoyant, The Evil That Men Do, and the title track, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. This album is Iron Maiden at their finest, striking a remarkable balance between heavy and progressive metal genres, showcasing tempo shifts and edge-of-the-sleeve riffs that will send chills down your spine.
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2024-09-12 15:30