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iron maiden by Alex Burns (alex@disinfo.com) - December 16, 2000 |
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| That is not dead which can eternal lie. And with strange aeons even death may die. ~ ~ H.P. Lovecraft. Formed in 1976 by bassist Steve Harris, Iron Maiden emerged from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal period band to achieve global domination, linking the early genre founders (Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, KISS, Led Zeppelin) to the late 1980s Big Four (Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer). IM's intense live shows and the legendary Soundhouse Tapes EP (1979) led EMI Records to sign them. The raw debut album Iron Maiden (1980) stressed vocalist Paul DiAnno's energy, Steve Harris' thundering bass, and guitarist Dave Murray's melodic solos. IM were uncompromising: they demanded to play their first single Running Free on British television's Top of the Pops, and were the first band to do so since The Who (1972). Guitarist Adrian Smith replaced Dennis Stratton for Killers (1981), creating the duelling lead solos with Murray that would become an IM trademark. DiAnno was replaced by vocalist Bruce Dickinson for Number of the Beast (1982), a genre-defining album. IM soon perfected its lyric references to literature, historical events, world mythology, and horror and science fiction films. When drummer Nicko McBrain replaced Clive Burr for Peace Of Mind (1983), the classic line-up was complete, and soon broke into the lucrative US market. During the world tour for Powerslave (1984), IM was the first band to sell out California's Long Beach Arena for four consecutive nights, captured on the epochal double-album and film Live After Death (1985). IM reached this creative peak by collaborating with producer Martin Birch and photographer Ross Halfin. For each release, artist Derek Riggs created distinctive visuals featuring the band's mascot Eddie. These conceptual strategies underpinned innovative video clips, and spectacular theatrical live shows. Somewhere In Time (1986) and Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son (1988) introduced keyboards, venturing into lush progressive rock, alienating some early fans. However, the intimate video Maiden England (1989), filmed and directed by Steve Harris, showed IM was a touring act to be reckoned with. During recording sessions for No Prayer For The Dying (1990) at Steve Harris' home studio (Barnyard Studios, Essex), Adrian Smith left, and was replaced by guitarist Janick Gers. The album's return-to-basics approach was buried under sparse production. Fear Of The Dark (1992) featured the more stylistic diversity; IM triumphantly headlined the Donington Festival on August 22nd, 1992, captured on the blistering Live At Donington (1993) official bootleg. Every IM member is idiosyncratic, but Bruce Dickinson is unique: a world-class fencer, aircraft pilot, and author. In March 1993, during an acrimonious farewell tour captured on the dyad A Real Live/Dead One (1993), the jaded singer suddenly announced he was leaving. IM choose Wolfsbane singer Blaze Bayley, who would front IM on The X Factor (1995) and Virtual XI (1998). Despite some fascinating material and a strong continued touring presence, many fans felt IM had weakened considerably. The Best Of The Beast (1996) and Ed Hunter (1999) compilations reminded nostalgic fans of IM's vast recording legacy; Blaze Bayley was overshadowed by Bruce Dickinson's forceful personality, operatic showmanship, and heavier solo releases. A new generation of bands such as Fear Factory, Machine Head, and Sepultura had consigned Iron Maiden to the dustbin of heavy metal history. Or so it seemed. In a series of bold maneuvers, Adrian Smith returned to the fold, and Bruce Dickinson ousted Blaze Bayley. The new trio guitar line-up recorded Brave New World (2000), which combined Maiden's trademark aesthetics with contemporary rock production, to the acclaim of fans worldwide. While Metallica commit career suicide by suing Napster, and Limp Bizkit battle Eminem and Britney Spears for weekly rebel poseur, Iron Maiden again prove why they endure. Up the Irons! |
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Iron Maiden Planet Blaze Bruce Dickinson.com The Neighbour of the Beast Sanctuary Publishing Too Many Late Nights: Derek Riggs Paul DiAnno The Edge of Darkness Iron Maiden Page The X Factor Pit Caamagno's Maiden Page Iron Maiden's Empire! Judgement Day Real Maiden Rock Heavy Spoon's NWOBHM Page Loud & Heavy Aces High Home Page Music Security's Maiden Voyage Metal-Is Hard Radio.com Kheldan's Iron Maiden Pit Iron Maiden WebRing Heavy Metal Maiden Central Maiden Australia Ultimate Metal An Iron Maiden Tribute Metal Hammer Maiden Hell Anton Gustavsson: Anton Maiden Disinformation Dossier On Marilyn Manson Disinformation Dossier On Satanic Metal Heads Disinformation Dossier On The Cult Of H.P. Lovecraft Disinformation Dossier On Lars Ulrich's Death Wish: Metallica vs. Their Fans Disinformation Dossier On Celtic Frost Disinformation Dossier On H.R. Giger, Perinatal Imagery, & Demonic Beauty |
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