Be Quick or Be Dead

[Ray K.]

Good tight song. Everyone just seems to be musically on the money in this song. Like the lyrics and the growling vocals. favorite part is see who pulls the stri i ings lol even if it is just playing in the background for whatever i am doing i seem to stop to sing along to that line!

 

[MrKnickerbocker]

7

It's a rocker. Decent opener.

 

[Eddieson]

Great evil-sounding riff and furious delivery by Bruce. The chorus aren't as good as the verses, but that's hard because the verses are superb. There is energy all the way through the song and this one is an excellent opening. The title is also a good one!
A great opening, if only the album could have continued like this...

8/10

 

[DJMayes]

7. This is a really fun song that would be a contender for an 8 if Bruce didn't sound like he was throwing up at one point.

Rankings:

Spoiler

Previous Albums:

Spoiler

Iron Maiden - 6.67

Spoiler

8 - Prowler
6 - Sanctuary
7 - Remember Tomorrow
6 - Running Free
9 - Phantom Of The Opera
7 - Transylvania
4 - Strange World
6 - Charlotte The Harlot
7 - Iron Maiden

Killers - 5.91

Spoiler

6 - The Ides Of March
6 - Wrathchild
6 - Murders In The Rue Morgue
5 - Another Life
5 - Genghis Khan
5 - Innocent Exile
8 - Killers
5 - Prodigal Son
8 - Purgatory
6 - Twilight Zone
5 - Drifter

The Number Of The Beast - 7.56

Spoiler

6 - Invaders
7 - Children Of The Damned
8 - The Prisoner
7 - 22 Acacia Avenue
9 - The Number Of The Beast
10 - Run To The Hills
6 - Gangland
5 - Total Eclipse
10 - Hallowed Be Thy Name

Piece Of Mind - 7.44

Spoiler

8 - Where Eagles Dare
9 - Revelations
9 - Flight Of Icarus
7 - Die With Your Boots On
8 - The Trooper
7 - Still Life
6 - Quest For Fire
6 - Sun And Steel
7 - To Tame A Land

Powerslave - 6.75

Spoiler

8 - Aces High
7 - 2 Minutes To Midnight
3 - Loss Fer Words
7 - Flash Of The Blade
5 - The Duellists
6 - Back In The Village
9 - Powerslave
9 - Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

Somewhere In Time - 8.00

Spoiler

8 - Caught Somewhere In Time
9 - Wasted Years
8 - Sea Of Madness
8 - Heaven Can Wait
8 - The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner
7 - Stranger In A Strange Land
8 - Deja Vu
8 - Alexander The Great

Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son - 8.25

Spoiler

7 - Moonchild
9 - Infinite Dreams
9 - Can I Play With Madness
9 - The Evil That Men Do
10 - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
6 - The Prophecy
8 - The Clairvoyant
8 - Only The Good Die Young

No Prayer For The Dying - 6.90

Spoiler

6 - Tailgunner
6 - Holy Smoke
8 - No Prayer For The Dying
7 - Public Enema Number One
7 - Fates Warning
7 - The Assassin
6 - Run Silent Run Deep
8 - Hooks In You
8 - Bring Your Daughter... To The Slaughter
6 - Mother Russia

Fear Of The Dark

7 - Be Quick Or Be Dead

 

[Pand]

A great grab-you-by-the-throat, high energy opener. A very strong...
8/10

 

[Poto]

Like already mentioned, this is a really good opener. Hard-hitting, exciting and energetic. Bruce singing also works surprisingly well, and the solos are great.
8/10

 

[MrKnickerbocker]

8/10

The album opens with a bang in Be Quick or Be Dead, one of the fastest Maiden songs ever. Dickinson and Gers turn in an incredibly aggressive metal song with anxious guitar work and a simple, catchy chorus. It’s a hell of an album opener, but Bruce’s rasp is almost unlistenable here. His tone fits the song, but it’s still a shame to hear such a great singer croaking out the notes. The good news is that the production sounds immediately better than No Prayer for the Dying, even though the bass guitar is a bit too quiet and muddy and the drums lack some depth. Janick’s guitar solo sounds more rehearsed and structured, a welcome change from his wankery on No Prayer.

 

[Mosh]

This song works fine as an opener to establish a high energy level, but the song itself doesn't do much for me. The main riff is really generic and the playing during the verses is unimaginative. Also can't stand Bruce's singing here. I like the rasp on some tracks but not so much on this song. Both guitar solos are good, although I miss the contrast between Adrian and Dave. Janick and Dave have a very similar style on these albums.

5

 

[LooseCannon]

An average song with a bit more than average feel. This song is a 6.

 

[BeThyJames]

Probably the poorest rocker opener they've done. Uninspired and Bruce's vocal is dreadful.

5

 

[Diesel 11]

I love this song. It's a nice bam! kind of opener, fast paced and fun, and I'll be honest, the music video is probably my all time favorite of theirs. Awesome track. 9/10

 

[permanenteddie]

A great song, fast and furious that goes straight to the point. Bruce's way of singing fits well with the general tone of the song.
8/10

 

[Diesel 11]

I gave this a 9? Bullshit, this is a definite 10/10. Amazing opener, one of their fastest songs ever, the video is still awesome, sinister and angry lyrics, this is a damn good song. Still wondering why I love FOTD?

 

[Number 6]

Fantastic intro with genius lyrics. Very aggressive, kicks off the album really well. Bruce's growls fit perfectly with the tone of the overall song, Janick's solo is just chaotic and one of his best. A solid 9, and possibly the best song on the album.

 

[GiovaOfficial]

A very good energetic opener, with great solos too. 8/10, could be a 9 with slightly less repetitive lyrics

 

[Jer]

One of the heavier grooves Maiden has laid down, and probably the strongest straight-ahead rocker Gers has been involved with writing.

Gers' riffing is more interesting than usual on the intro and verse. Bruce's growly vocal style is a little over the top here, but it also fits the subject matter. The vocal harmonies are a bit odd, but not in a bad way.

The verse and chorus vocals are catchy, and the caustic post-chorus vocals are an unusual touch, but work well for the song. A nice, catchy bridge carries into the second round of verse and chorus, followed by a pair of pretty strong solos before closing out the song.

Strong material throughout. 8/10.

 

[KidInTheDark666]

I can't imagine them ever playing this song again, which is a shame. 9

 

[Diesel 11]

Opening with a rapid drumbeat, "Be Quick or Be Dead" is one of the fastest songs the band has ever released. Bruce's rasp is in fine form, very sinister, and it's pretty strong overall, though not as good as others. The music video is a fave of mine. 7

 

[Kalata]

Brutal opening to the song (one of the best from Maiden). The scream is wild. Almost speed metal song (one of the fastest in the band's discography). Incredible drumming, amazing verses and even better chorus. Both solos are great. This song is one of my favorites - classic!!! They really have to play it again live. 10/10

 

[dickinson1978]

Would love to listen to this song life one more time