#10 - The Book Of Souls (The Book Of Souls):
Pompously sculpted in Mayan mythology shapes, this is Maiden blatantly trying to turn back the clock and pull a Powerslave on a different continent. It's well known that things tend to go wrong when bands try to recycle some motives and ideas that marked the peak of their careers. Yet The Book Of Souls is so well crafted and deeply layered that it results in an enormous win for the band. All the arrangements are impeccable but it's that amazing refrain that propels this track to heights only the best Maiden songs can aspire.
#9 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World):
Really emotional track with a smart use of vocal ensemble in the verses, TTLBLAH first part is particularly built for Bruce's voice to shine. The man pulls some really intense vocal lines that intermingle perfectly in a somehow simple but smart build marked by the use of second voices. The second section of the song is also really beautiful but I think it lasts for too long when it should merely work as a prologue for the song and an excellent coda for the album. Yet overall this is an immensely great track.
#8 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier):
The Talisman is another adventure taking action at sea and starts with a medieval lullaby(one a bit too long be honest). But once it accelerates there's no doubt this is Maiden bringing their A game. The tumultuous pace really translates the lyrical content while Bruce gives a show regarding his vocal abilities. Everything is deliciously complemented by excellent guitar harmonies and a simply glorious chorus. Superb.
#7 - To Tame A land (Piece Of Mind):
Based upon the Dune novel series, To Tame A Land's arabesque melody transports us immediately to the deserts of planet Arrakis and when the distortion kicks in we're stunned with the same awe of witnessing the rise of a giant worm. Bruce's perfect vocal line starts to praise the lore of this sci-fi romance till it builds into a crescendo giving way to a final instrumental section filled with excellent variations and solos. This monument of a song his so astonishing in so many different aspects it's ridiculous. Exotic and futuristic at the same time, To Tame Land finds Maiden some complexity without compromising a bit of its out of this world composition and melodies.
#6 - When the Wild Wind Blows (The Final Frontier):
Starting with slow and melancholic melodies, The Final Frontier's last track is perhaps the most beautiful and melodic thing Maiden ever wrote. The same melody serves as base when the distortion kicks in and everything here sounds intense. WTWWB bears one particular trait that is almost unique regarding Maiden epic tunes and I think it has a reason: every time we're expecting the song to blast into an uptempo the song maintains its pace (even during its gorgeous bridges) as it perfectly portraits the lyrics dealing with the Armageddon than never came. And this deep connection between musical mood and words carries on till the last notes when that sad melody returns to unveil the tragic end of the narrative. WTWWB is a lesson on how composing a long song without flaws.
#5 - For the Greater Good of God (A Matter Of Life And Death):
Dealing with the inhumanity of war and the role religion sometimes has promoting it when it should do the precise opposite, this track is a larger than life cry for mercy among men. And with such a demanding message it demanded an equally special composition. And For The Greater Good Of God fills every requisite of its lyrics. A stunning melodic intro, a persistent galloping crescendo that lasts several minutes like if Bruce needs once and for all to let off his chest all the atrocities that haunt this world. Then comes that chorus... Man, how glorious and beautiful that thing is! Not content with that the song still presents us two amazing bridges and great soloing action. What's more amazing to me is how a band 30 years old managed to come out with such perfection. Unbelievable!
#4 - Powerslave (Powerslave):
I really don't know where to start while praising this classic. I can tell you about how the musical composition fits perfectly the Egyptian motive, how Harris' bass gives those verses the weight of all the pyramids of ancient Egypt, how epic the chorus sounds, that it features perhaps the band's best middle section and soloing work or call your attention to that absolutely magnificent coda. But then again if you're a Maiden fan you already know this and undoubtedly praise this masterpiece as one of Maiden's best moments ever.
#3 - Phantom Of The Opera (Iron Maiden):
If that's true that Wasted Years was the song I fell in love with and served as my entrance to Maiden's world, the first time the band left me in awe was some weeks after when I listened to Live After Death's rendition of this monster. Almost 33 years after listening to the damn thing countless times I simply can't get enough of its complex and frantic verses, its beautiful soloing and guitar harmonies and most of all that absolutely transcendent moment when everything stops and Harris' bass starts what I consider to be one of music's best moments ever composed. If these aren't reasons enough for reaching the podium of this ranking then nothing is
#2 - Sign Of The Cross (The X Factor):
In a decade that was proving to be a low point to the band especially regarding pompous and epic compositions this was a slap in my face that came from out of nowhere. Although I also love the original version, I would encourage people to listen to the live one. Of course Bruce's voice give more depth to an already excellent track but the main reason is the fastest tempo that makes Sign Of The Cross sound a bit more edgy. Starting with an obscure ambiance and Gregorian chants and a melodic march like intro until the main galloping riff comes stomping in: it's a simple one yet heavy and strong as hell as it gives birth to a guitar lick adorned bridge till it blossoms into one of Maiden's most powerful refrains. After the second turn the song comes to an alt underlined once again by the initial choral and what follows is simply jaw dropping. We're thrown into a five minute sequence of some of the best passages ever penned by the band, amazing drumming patterns, bass fills, and gorgeous guitar harmonies and solos in various formats, till it finally returns to the chorus for a final time. Absolute masterpiece.
#1 - Rime Of The Ancient Mariner (Powerslave):
Well this is no surprise is it? Let me put it simple: even if we put aside the little more than 2 minutes the Samuel Coleridge interlude lasts (I don't see a reason why... it is simply haunting and does wonders to both the narrative and the song itself) we would still be left with 10 minutes of over the top quality music. The way this absolute masterpiece goes through all its different stages pulls us through the mariner's narrative like if we were living the damn thing. Composed of a countless number of passages and swings everything here sounds perfect. Maiden (every single one and as a collective) aren't simply at their best here... they achieved something else words fail to explain. And perhaps the zenith among zeniths is the crescendo that portraits the mariner's deliverance and reconciliation with the sea creatures. The breath taking fall of the curse and subsequent solos and guitar harmonies is something that somehow tops perfection. Undisputed number one.
So there you go. That's my rank... what is yours?