NO PRAYER FOR THE DYING - Your thoughts…

There's something anti-climatic about No Prayer. I like it and Licks of the Beast's video from 2 years ago will make you fall back in love with the riffs:

My views...

Some of Bruce's and H's better ideas clearly went into their solo albums, diluting the focus of the band. There a good other thread where Katala pulled out a 1989 interview with Harris mentioning a pair of ASAP songs he thought could have been Maiden songs.

The loss of band focus shows on the lyrics to Tailgunner, which are just an embarrassment, treating a serious, epic and emotive topic as a joke. Bruce's head was clearly in the wrong place. Also, his voice was shot and tired.

Some of the stage clothes, the vibe, the feel of the album is just not entirely there... I'm not surprised after a decade of hyper activity and such immense success with so much travel and 100s of shows. Something had to give. Other bands just break up at this point in their careers or kind of disperse. We get No Prayer... which I'll take in a heartbeat!
 
Helmuth Von Moltke said:
Some of Bruce's and H's better ideas clearly went into their solo albums, diluting the focus of the band.
Click to expand...
More like their different ideas, not for Maiden, wouldn't you say. Bruce for sure. Adrian has always liked hard rock and didn't get a chance to write for the album except for one song. True about the focus.
Some of Bruce's co-written songs on the album (with Dave and Steve) and at least 1 Steve and Dave/Steve songs are strong ideas, incomparable to both of their debut solo stuff - maybe with Son Of A Gun and The Lion. The rest is too glam/rock approach. I think the album would have benefited from Janick's writing, we can see this in the next album, for almost all songs. Or even another Dave song.

edit: btw, here's an interesting interview with Bruce from 1990 speaking about his debut solo album and a bit about No Prayer (he likes the songs he co-wrote with Dave), topic-wise of my answer. He was really enthusiastic about it and working with different musicians, but still wanted to be in Maiden a lot. Focused? Who knows, only him.

Something curious about No Prayer: he said they wrote the songs 2 months ago and they had to record them. That's odd, but those were the times in this transitional era.

bd -tm.jpg
Helmuth Von Moltke said:
the feel of the album is just not entirely there... I'm not surprised after a decade of hyper activity and such immense success with so much travel and 100s of shows. Something had to give. Other bands just break up at this point in their careers or kind of disperse. We get No Prayer... which I'll take in a heartbeat!
Click to expand...
Well said. About the feel, of the album, they nailed it, the overall feel of the band, agree with you. The album simply doesn't have clear standouts and favorites for the majority of the fans, despite the success of one of the singles.
 
Last edited:
Helmuth Von Moltke said:
There's something anti-climatic about No Prayer.
Click to expand...

Regarding the aspect I believe holds back No Prayer, I think this remark is extremely well spotted and superbly synthetized. And, IMO, it was amplified by the fact the record came out only two years after Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, easily the most pompous and theatrical album Maiden has ever released. SSOASS's "wow!" effect is surely on high... a trait Maiden increased from album-to-album during the 80's and NPFTD's major strength isn't based on that premisse IMO (TBH is quite lackluster in that regard).

I bought the record the day it came out and, although I liked it, from day one I felt a certain disenchantment attached to it and that lingered for years. TBH, during a couple of years after 1992, I was even more drawn into FOTD than NPFTD and that stems precisely from that "anti-climactic" factor: despite being a filler fest, I'd much rather listen to the by then "brand new" FOTD stand out tracks, like "Be Quick Or Be Dead", "Afraid To Shoot Strangers" or the title track, since they're arguably more appealing and exciting compared with the best tunes on NPFTD. IMO most NPFTD tracks are extremely enjoyable, yet none of them goes all out in one particular aspect. In other words: there are fast and heavy songs yet nothing like i.e. Iron Maiden, Invasion, Sanctuary, Killers, Purgatory, Murders In The Rue Morgue, Back In The Village, Sea Of Madness, Only The Good Die Young or Be Quick or be dead. PENO, the title track or Mother Russia have excellent guitar harmonies, yet I can easily and immediately list at least ten songs that are more effective in that regard. And yes, Tailgunner, Fates Warning and Run Silent Run Deep are great muscular metal songs but once again there are several instances when the band had similar compositions that, in my book, are better achieved. And when it comes to epic flavor the difference is even bigger. The sole aspect where I think NPFTD 100% matches any release is when it comes to the radio hit song: despite its corny lyrics and polarizing as it may be, Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter IMO is on par with Maiden's best hit singles (or slightly below some) like Running Free, Wrathchild, Run To The Hills, Flight Of Icarus, 2 Minutes To Midnight, Wasted Years or Can I Play With Madness.

NPFTD is surely a slow burner and it's not for everyone. And it's easily mistaken for uninspired and mediocre if it's given little spins. During the 90's I listened to it aplenty, yet I always thought it was a truly subpar release. It took me more than a dozen years to give the album what I believe is its due value. Ever since I consider it to be a really cohesive effort. With the exception of Hooks In You, there's not a single song I dislike. There was an evident effort from the band to strip down their sound a bit back to their roots (making what would be somewhat of transition between Killers and TNOTB ) but I believe this goal was somewhat of a misfire: most of the songs are indeed more straight forward yet they lack the sheer aggression of some cuts from the Di'Anno era. On the other hand, it brings a more polished and intricate overall approach, yet failing to be on the same echelon as the more curated compositions present in its Dickinson era predecessors in this regard. Like I use to say they somehow got caught in no man's land, and IMO that's precisely what gives the album that "anti-climactic" feel to it, soundings somewhat "tamed" and even lacking ambition or pretention in a positive fashion.

That being said I must underline how I came to enjoy NPFTD way more with the passing of time. Do I still believe it is the band's least achieved record up to its release date? Absolutely. On the other hand, it's a rock-solid album, arguably lacking masterpieces yet IMO it's filled with great tunes, really easy to listen to and it's far from being my least favorite Iron Maiden record. I would even say that, in a paradoxal twist, the aforementioned "anti-climactic" feeling gave the album a unique aura among all Maiden releases. And, unlike back when it came out and the following times, every time I give it a spin, I find myself having a ball listening to it.
 
Last edited:
It's in my 5 least favourite Maiden albums. Most people would prefer FotD to NPFTD, but I think NPFTD is a bit better, but I don't like the overall feel of it. Some lyrics are stupid, some songs like Assassin,Hooks in you are horrible. Going from SIT and SSOASS, that are 10/10 albums imo to No prayer is also a reason I don't like it. It's the first time chronologically that a Maiden album isn't good. There are some nice songs in there, I really like the title track and Holy Smoke is fun (meh). It's in the same category as Fear for me. I like the title track and 2-3 other songs and I really don't like the rest.
 
To me, there's something about Maiden's weakest albums—they still manage to crank out an all-time classic, even when the rest of the album isn't that great. The Clansman and Sign of the Cross on the Blaze albums, or When the Wild Wind Blows on TFF. But No Prayer for the Dying hasn't a single truly remarkable song, even though a few tracks are still enjoyable.
 
Brazilian Benjamin Breeg said:
To me, there's something about Maiden's weakest albums—they still manage to crank out an all-time classic, even when the rest of the album isn't that great. The Clansman and Sign of the Cross on the Blaze albums, or When the Wild Wind Blows on TFF. But No Prayer for the Dying hasn't a single truly remarkable song, even though a few tracks are still enjoyable.
Click to expand...
that's exactly my thoughts too
 
The perfect topic for me.
As many in here already know, NPFTD is my favourite Maiden album of all.
I didn't really like the album when it came out, but over the years it has become my favourite. I just love it because of its rough edges while being very homogenous and consistent at the same time. It doesn't sound pieced together, but like one unit just like their albums sounded in their early days. I can easily listen all throughout the entire album from the very beginning to its very end. A shame it all just isn't documented too well (official live album/video). When I saw Maiden live during the No Prayer-tour in 1990, retrospectively I have to say that this particular tour was the departure from the old live era and its own unique vibe. Somehow it came down like a flashlight on a last happy moment for Maiden in years. After NPFTD, the problem years occured and lasted for almost a decade (marked e.g. by Bruces departure, the difficult Blaze era, the loss of Martin Birch as a producer, moronic marketing decisions like PC games and a lot more of cringe). NPFTD is a milestone that has everything to it. It is a rough, heavy, mean to borderline of the absurd, angry, sad and deeply emotional masterpiece full of melancholy and bitterness. Fuckin' love it.
 
Last edited:
Helmuth Von Moltke said:
Bruce's head was clearly in the wrong place. Also, his voice was shot and tired.
Click to expand...
Always weird to read about Bruce´s voice on that album. Head and shoulders above, or at least rejuvinated 2.0 compared to 7th Son voice both album and tour. Actually live in 1988 Bruce´s voice is probably on its worst and in 1990 its quite good. Also in 1992 some of his best ever performances.
 
I absolutely love this album. It's such a shame it didn't get more exposure outside of the 1990-1993 setlists. It was incredible to hear some of it again during 'Give Me Ed 'Til I'm Dead' in 2003—the intro and the singalong were amazing. That tour was fantastic, and it really brought the songs from the album to life. If I remember correctly, tracks like Holy Smoke, Hooks in You, No Prayer for the Dying, Public Enema Number One, Tailgunner, and The Assassin were all in the set, and they sounded great live. They should've definitely played Mother Russia live. I also loved the more minimalistic stage set for No Prayer on the Road and The X Factor tour, which is probably why I enjoy Blaze's solo shows so much.
 
Prowler said:
It's in my 5 least favourite Maiden albums. Most people would prefer FotD to NPFTD, but I think NPFTD is a bit better, but I don't like the overall feel of it. Some lyrics are stupid, some songs like Assassin,Hooks in you are horrible. Going from SIT and SSOASS, that are 10/10 albums imo to No prayer is also a reason I don't like it. It's the first time chronologically that a Maiden album isn't good.
Click to expand...
No Prayer is a consistent album, but going from Seventh Son to this material/approach is one of the strangest decisions, probably in metal. A heavier approach would have been more of a sign of times, Priest and Saxon did that.
Brazilian Benjamin Breeg said:
To me, there's something about Maiden's weakest albums—they still manage to crank out an all-time classic, even when the rest of the album isn't that great. The Clansman and Sign of the Cross on the Blaze albums, or When the Wild Wind Blows on TFF. But No Prayer for the Dying hasn't a single truly remarkable song, even though a few tracks are still enjoyable.
Click to expand...
The title track is the closest. Shame it hasn't been played live since.
Dick Brucinson said:
It doesn't sound pieced together, but like one unit just like their albums sounded in their early days.
Click to expand...
Well said.
Blood On The World´s Hand said:
Always weird to read about Bruce´s voice on that album. Head and shoulders above, or at least rejuvinated 2.0 compared to 7th Son voice both album and tour. Actually live in 1988 Bruce´s voice is probably on its worst and in 1990 its quite good. Also in 1992 some of his best ever performances.
Click to expand...
Problems with Bruce's '88 studio vocals? Live worst? Late 80's and some 1993 performances.
07-SMS:A1L said:
That tour was fantastic, and it really brought the songs from the album to life. If I remember correctly, tracks like Holy Smoke, Hooks in You, No Prayer for the Dying, Public Enema Number One, Tailgunner, and The Assassin were all in the set, and they sounded great live.
Click to expand...
No Prayer songs worked quite well live with the energy, but some of them (at least 3) I don't think were great live at all.
 
Kalata said:
No Prayer songs worked quite well live with the energy, but some of them (at least 3) I don't think were great live at all.
Click to expand...
In hindsight, it's crazy to think that at times, Maiden played six songs from No Prayer for the Dying live, while other times, they played seven songs from Virtual XI.
 
07-SMS:A1L said:
In hindsight, it's crazy to think that at times, Maiden played six songs from No Prayer for the Dying live, while other times, they played seven songs from Virtual XI.
Click to expand...
With the exception of Fear Of The Dark, every album tour has seen at least half the record being played live, often closer to 3/4. BNW had 8 out of 10 for example, DOD 6 out of 11, AMOLAD was played in full, TFF had half, TBOS had 7 out of 11 played live and Senjutsu 7 out of 10.

The 80s Dickinson albums consistently had the majority of the record being played live, with each of them having a couple of songs not making the setlist and if Back In The Village actually was played once in the 80s that statistic holds for every album between TNOTB and SSOASS (Invaders & Gangland, Quest For Fire & Sun And Steel, Flash Of The Blade & The Duellists, Deja Vu & Alexander The Great, The Prophecy & Only The Good Die Young).
 

With a better production it would have been a solid album. As it is now, live versions of the songs, mixed by Martin Birch, used as b-sides on the Fear of the dark singles, sound much better.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top