WildRanger
Nomad
So what's your pick between these 7 tracks and why?
Favorite 80's Maiden album opener?
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dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
Aces high imposible not to sing the chorus. Great song and very close moonchild.
WildRanger
Nomad
Prowler, Eagles, CSIT and Moonchild are all great songs but Aces high takes it for me here.
Azas
Sinner
Aces High because it simply kicks ass. It fully meets the bar for an opening track. It’s intense yet melodic, and in a live setting it sets the tone immediately and gives you goosebumps. The intro is epic - you instantly know you’re in for something great.
It’s also on POWERSLAVE, where Maiden’s guitars were front and center - chugging, dominant, and driving everything. By Maiden standards, I almost see it as a kind of thrash album. The songs feel riff-driven rather than built around simple power chords (at least to my ears - I’m no expert). The sound is strong, sharp, and very metal.
Yeah, at times the song feels like it’s on the verge of falling apart - it’s that fast and intense - but the studio version is just perfect. The solos are fantastic; you can practically picture an air battle unfolding as they play. And the title alone hits hard - ACES HIGH.
With all that in mind, it’s especially disappointing that Steve moved away from writing songs in that style. He - he - wrote “The Trooper” and “Aces High,” and yet after the reunion we mostly get tracks like “Wildest Dreams” and long-winded epics from him.
Futureal was the last big spark of creative brilliance from Steve when it comes to opening bangers.
It’s also on POWERSLAVE, where Maiden’s guitars were front and center - chugging, dominant, and driving everything. By Maiden standards, I almost see it as a kind of thrash album. The songs feel riff-driven rather than built around simple power chords (at least to my ears - I’m no expert). The sound is strong, sharp, and very metal.
Yeah, at times the song feels like it’s on the verge of falling apart - it’s that fast and intense - but the studio version is just perfect. The solos are fantastic; you can practically picture an air battle unfolding as they play. And the title alone hits hard - ACES HIGH.
With all that in mind, it’s especially disappointing that Steve moved away from writing songs in that style. He - he - wrote “The Trooper” and “Aces High,” and yet after the reunion we mostly get tracks like “Wildest Dreams” and long-winded epics from him.
Futureal was the last big spark of creative brilliance from Steve when it comes to opening bangers.
WildRanger
Nomad
How about "The Wicker Man"?
Azas
Sinner
I tend to see it mainly as an Adrian song. Great track. I’m sure Steve contributed to making it even better.
Cat Milk Supreme
Ancient Mariner
Suuuuch a hard one. Does any other band have such a thing with album openers being a point of discussion and then (mostly) always being tour openers?
So many iconic moments. Aces probably rules them all but the whole 'opener' thing totally elevates 'lesser' songs. Not that Aces is lesser. Like, I'd say Aces is a better song that Ides but my god Ides gets my blood pumpin in a live setting (in person or recorded).
I've always loved CSIT despite holding the album at the bottom on my 80s ranking but fuuuuuck a duck, it was such a moment to hear it live in 2024, the Blade Runner intro followed by that synthy swell, the rise of the lights, an absolutely epic moment and then BOOM out they come, the gallop and the swirl of guitars, the chorus, the phenomenal solo section. In that moment it was the best thing they had ever done.
Eagles is probably my favourite song on the list. As an album opener I'd side with CSIT for the atmosphere. As a gig opener I'd go Aces. And then I'd say Ides is my favourite overall in terms of electricity. Confusing? Probably. Unable to choose? Tooootally.
So many iconic moments. Aces probably rules them all but the whole 'opener' thing totally elevates 'lesser' songs. Not that Aces is lesser. Like, I'd say Aces is a better song that Ides but my god Ides gets my blood pumpin in a live setting (in person or recorded).
I've always loved CSIT despite holding the album at the bottom on my 80s ranking but fuuuuuck a duck, it was such a moment to hear it live in 2024, the Blade Runner intro followed by that synthy swell, the rise of the lights, an absolutely epic moment and then BOOM out they come, the gallop and the swirl of guitars, the chorus, the phenomenal solo section. In that moment it was the best thing they had ever done.
Eagles is probably my favourite song on the list. As an album opener I'd side with CSIT for the atmosphere. As a gig opener I'd go Aces. And then I'd say Ides is my favourite overall in terms of electricity. Confusing? Probably. Unable to choose? Tooootally.
Cat Milk Supreme
Ancient Mariner
Ok, the OP asks for ALBUM opener. I'll say Ides. And I'll change my mind in a minute.
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
I just ralized that is a Steve Haris song. I always thought it was with bruce or adrian
Cat Milk Supreme
Ancient Mariner
Which one? For Wicker Man, Adrian wrote the main riff and I don't know what else, Bruce did the words and Steve pulled it together, whatever that entails. So if Adrian only wrote the intro riff then it's probably more of a Steve song albeit heavily flavoured by Adrian but I'm not sure of exactly who did what.
Post 80s, yeah Wicker Man would probably win, it's certainly the most iconic and I do love it but I'd probably vote for Eternity. Great tune overall and the guitar slide into the chorus just tickles me in a special way.
Post 80s I'd have a Top 3 of Be Quick, Futureal, Wicker Man, Different World and Eternity. Sign Of The Cross doesn't count cos it's an epic. Confusing? So what?
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
Be quick or be dead and the wicker man. Both a blast. Be quick or be dead live was really rough. The wicker man is more melodic in the album sound more powerfull than live. And i always thought they play the start different live than thr album.Which one? For Wicker Man, Adrian wrote the main riff and I don't know what else, Bruce did the words and Steve pulled it together, whatever that entails. So if Adrian only wrote the intro riff then it's probably more of a Steve song albeit heavily flavoured by Adrian but I'm not sure of exactly who did what.
Post 80s, yeah Wicker Man would probably win, it's certainly the most iconic and I do love it but I'd probably vote for Eternity. Great tune overall and the guitar slide into the chorus just tickles me in a special way.
Post 80s I'd have a Top 3 of Be Quick, Futureal, Wicker Man, Different World and Eternity. Sign Of The Cross doesn't count cos it's an epic. Confusing? So what?
Cat Milk Supreme
Ancient Mariner
Yeah, I agree, Wicker Man lost something in the live setting, which is rare for Maiden, for me. But I still love it, it was fantastic to hear live as the opener in 2001, a real BOOM moment after the intro tape when the lights came down on Adrian and he played that riff, loud and alone,the first time I ever cried at a gig. It hit me hard and well.
I don't know if they play it different or it just sounds different, if that makes sense. Studio effects, maybe.
I've seen it live 3 or 5 times and definitely 2001 was the best. 2018 also good but yeah, I know what you mean about the loss of power.
I didn't see Be Quick live in the flesh and haven't watched it in years but I remember it being good, fast and furious.
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
I didnt see be quick ro be dead live my first iron maiden show was in 1996 but live it was always fast. About wicker man i think its about the chords at the bigging dont know sounds a bit messy. Just the beggining
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
Vaenyr
Ancient Mariner
Definitely better than 1086
Bruce's voice was in pretty bad shape in 1986 because of the World Slavery Tour. Nicko was struggling in 2023. Seems those songs were cursed to always have problems and issues.