Favorite Current Iron Maiden Lead Guitarist

Who is your favourite current Iron Maiden lead guitarist?

  • Dave Murray

    Votes: 51 39.5%

  • Adrian Smith

    Votes: 63 48.8%

  • Janick Gers

    Votes: 15 11.6%
  • Total voters
    129
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My vote goes for Adrian and I would vote for him again, anytime [img src=\"style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/smile.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":)\" border=\"0\" alt=\"smile.gif\" /]

[!--quoteo(post=129870:date=Feb 27 2006, 05:04 AM:name=uRiZeN)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(uRiZeN @ Feb 27 2006, 05:04 AM) [snapback]129870[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]Adrian puts forth a lot of emotion and thought in his solos... Dave may have the speed, the smooth way of technique...[/quote]Some people would tell you precisely the opposite (as it usually is with opinions) - that Dave is the one who has the feeling ("Powerslave", "Charlotte the Harlot") and Adrian is a "technical" soloist. I would rather say Dave has warmth.

What I love about H, is that he has attitude, versatility and that special drawl (forgive me, I'm not an expert). His licks are fabulous ("The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner"). In a solo, he can surprise by sudden change of tempo ("Sea Of Madness"), smoothness ("Alexander the Great", "Stranger In A Strange Land"), raw energy ("Total Eclipse") or focused energy ("Aces High").
As you can see, I could go on and on ::
 
[!--quoteo(post=130000:date=Feb 28 2006, 12:08 PM:name=SilentLucidity)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(SilentLucidity @ Feb 28 2006, 12:08 PM) [snapback]130000[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
My vote goes for Adrian and I would vote for him again, anytime [img src=\"style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/smile.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":)\" border=\"0\" alt=\"smile.gif\" /]

Some people would tell you precisely the opposite (as it usually is with opinions) - that Dave is the one who has the feeling ("Powerslave", "Charlotte the Harlot") and Adrian is a "technical" soloist. I would rather say Dave has warmth.

What I love about H, is that he has attitude, versatility and that special drawl (forgive me, I'm not an expert). His licks are fabulous ("The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner"). In a solo, he can surprise by sudden change of tempo ("Sea Of Madness"), smoothness ("Alexander the Great", "Stranger In A Strange Land"), raw energy ("Total Eclipse") or focused energy ("Aces High").
As you can see, I could go on and on ::
[/quote]


I think one of the greatest Adrian Smith solos is the one he plays in Quest for Fire!

Raw, focused and very catchy, all at the same time! :-)
::
 
For me, the best maiden lead guitarist definitely is Adrian Smith... Then Murray, and then Gers. What Smith has that the others lack, is the excellent refined feel and grace with which he executes his solos (eg. Two Minutes To Midnight, especiall the descending phrase in the third bar of the solo and the excellent bluesy phrase in the eighth.) Murray also has that kind of a feel, and his impeccable legato technique definitely gives him the slickest and smoothest feel, though Smith's solos win hands down melodically and harmonically. Adrian Smith's style is also more unique than any other guitarist is the genre (as defined by Dickinson as "lazy" and "having notes falling on each other"... he, of course, means this is a good way lol... Also onstage, H may experiment with his solos and improvise a bit, but NEVER messes them up, unlike Gers, who does have a unique style, but well... messes every solo up live. Murray is a close second because of his smooth and accurate legato, but he just doesnt have the same finesse and grace of smith. Gers does execute some pretty good solos (The Clansman, Dream Of Mirrors, Ghost of The Navigator, Blood Brothers), but just doesnt have that feel and accuracy that the other two have. Another reason why Smith is better is because his solos are better constructed, ie. a great entry, purposeful body, and graceful exit. A perfect example of this is his solo in "Dance Of Death". Unlike the others, Adrian's solos are always purposeful, rather than drawing a blank.
 
OMG I couldn't deside. Addrians solos may be more perfected which is his advantage.
But Dave does the pouty lip thing and that is fuckin awsome
And janick flips it around and is like WHOA LOOK AT ME GO. YAYUH ALL OF THEM ARE GREAT
 
I actually listened to every Murray/Smith solo and wrote down who's was better. Dave won.
 
[!--quoteo(post=131745:date=Mar 13 2006, 09:05 AM:name=slave to the power of death)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(slave to the power of death @ Mar 13 2006, 09:05 AM) [snapback]131745[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
I actually listened to every Murray/Smith solo and wrote down who's was better. Dave won.
[/quote]

that depends heavily on your personal criteria of judging the solos. If you look for technical skill, Dave's legato wins (and surprisingly, janick would place second on account of the great speed of his picking techniques). if you look for melodic and HARMONIC content, adrian has no other rival. Also Dave tends to overdo things a bit (eg. his solo on The Mercenary). i have yet to find Adrian guilty of butchering a solo.

[!--quoteo(post=131117:date=Mar 8 2006, 02:31 AM:name=Death_Dealer_)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(Death_Dealer_ @ Mar 8 2006, 02:31 AM) [snapback]131117[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
OMG I couldn't deside. Addrians solos may be more perfected which is his advantage.
But Dave does the pouty lip thing and that is fuckin awsome
And janick flips it around and is like WHOA LOOK AT ME GO. YAYUH ALL OF THEM ARE GREAT
[/quote]

agreed, janick has great showmanship, but can't you help but grimace with disapproval as he starts butchering away at EVERY solo he does live? from out-of-tune bends, to unwanted strings ringing in the background, and not to mention his lack of flair for melodically and harmonically-correct improvisation, janick simply isnt a guitarist of the same calibre his bandmates. Though he has written some of my favourite studio solos (fear of the dark, the clansman, blood brothers, brave new world...)

dave loses out to adrian only by a slight margin. he's nearly as good as smith, but lacks smith's excellent sense of melody and harmony. he also tends to over do things a bit (the mercenary). as for his pout, isnt it just adorable? [img src=\"style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/biggrin.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":D\" border=\"0\" alt=\"biggrin.gif\" /]
 
[!--quoteo(post=131755:date=Mar 13 2006, 09:31 AM:name=Daniel)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(Daniel @ Mar 13 2006, 09:31 AM) [snapback]131755[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
that depends heavily on your personal criteria of judging the solos.....

dave loses out to adrian only by a slight margin. he's nearly as good as smith, but lacks smith's excellent sense of melody and harmony. he also tends to over do things a bit (the mercenary). as for his pout, isnt it just adorable? [img src=\"style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/biggrin.gif\" style=\"vertical-align:middle\" emoid=\":D\" border=\"0\" alt=\"biggrin.gif\" /]
[/quote]

Murray nearly as "good" as Smith? What are your criteria for "good", then?

Hmm, to be honest, I always have thought Murray is technically better than Smith. They have different styles, but Dave is the more natural player. When Dave plays a solo, it all goes way easier than when Adrian does. Adrian is the guy who has learned it by practising often (I assume) and Dave is the guy who could do these things when Adrian was still in kindergarten. That's why I tend to call Dave the better solist.

By the way check the Murray solos on e.g. Weekend Warrior or Judas Be My Guide. Very melodic, with a lot of feel, if you ask me! :-)

And what is "sense for harmony"? A harmony is something, done with 2 or more guitar players (or sometimes other instrumentalists), so I don't really understand why Smith would have a better "sense for harmony" than someone else.

If we talk about "executing" guitar harmonies, Dave is the better one. Listen to the LAD version of Rime of the Ancient Mariner -> time index on 1995 re-release: 10.17-10.29: Dave is way tighter, and H is a bit behind.
 
i voted for dave mainly because i like his style of solos the best but it was a very hard choice between him and h
 
I voted for dave murray, mainly because hes been in maiden since the very beginning with steve and he has created the maiden sound along with H, he plays so well, very fluent and his solos are among some of the best in the world, although H is also an awesome guitarist it is really hard to choose, as for jannick hes an utter legend, solos can be a bit rough but the acoustic stuff like on dance of death and dream of mirrors are really impressive. overall it has to be dave murray

and his little concentrating face is so sweet ::
 
Forostar said:
[!--quoteo(post=131755:date=Mar 13 2006, 09:31 AM:name=Daniel)--][div class=\'quotetop\']QUOTE(Daniel @ Mar 13 2006, 09:31 AM) [snapback]131755[/snapback][/div][div class=\'quotemain\'][!--quotec--]
that depends heavily on your personal criteria of judging the solos.....

dave loses out to adrian only by a slight margin. he's nearly as good as smith, but lacks smith's excellent sense of melody and harmony. he also tends to over do things a bit (the mercenary). as for his pout, isnt it just adorable?  [img src="style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /]


Murray nearly as "good" as Smith? What are your criteria for "good", then?

Hmm, to be honest, I always have thought Murray is technically better than Smith. They have different styles, but Dave is the more natural player. When Dave plays a solo, it all goes way easier than when Adrian does. Adrian is the guy who has learned it by practising often (I assume) and Dave is the guy who could do these things when Adrian was still in kindergarten. That's why I tend to call Dave the better solist.

By the way check the Murray solos on e.g. Weekend Warrior or Judas Be My Guide. Very melodic, with a lot of feel, if you ask me! :-)

And what is "sense for harmony"? A harmony is something, done with 2 or more guitar players (or sometimes other instrumentalists), so I don't really understand why Smith would have a better "sense for harmony" than someone else.

If we talk about "executing" guitar harmonies, Dave is the better one. Listen to the LAD version of Rime of the Ancient Mariner -> time index on 1995 re-release: 10.17-10.29: Dave is way tighter, and H is a bit behind.
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with respect to "sense for harmony" i mean knowing the harmonic relation of a certain note when played over a certain chord. For example, knowing that over an E minor chord, the most favourable notes to accentuate would be the E, G and B, as they harmonically relate to the E minor chord, and this is what H has that dave hasnt, especially when writing riffs that are played over a chord or tonality implied by the bass, rhythm guitar or keyboards in the background. Adrian uses this harmonic sense to great effect in his riffs and solos, which makes then truly melodic and harmonic, compared to murray, whose solos arent really composed harmonically. This is why i mention that adrian has a better "sense for harmony" than dave. harmony doesnt only mean the execution of guitar harmonies that iron maiden has made popular. You will notice I have described harmony in its other, more misunderstood and less-known sense.

Technically, Murray is way ahead of Smith, but if technique were everything, then i would have pledged eternal worship to Yngwie Malmsteen or Michael Angelo Batio ages ago. What i mean to imply is that Dave has the greatest techncinque from them all in iron maiden, and he ALSO has a LOT of feel in his playing, but Adrian has it much more.

btw i didnt mean to be rude in this post, its just that i hate it when ppl do not understand the meaning of harmony from the musical sense.
 
Fixed the poll. Everybody will have to vote again (you can also change your vote if your opinion changes). :)
 
I've always loved the sound of Dave's guitar - it sounds a bit different from Adrian's and Jan's. Sometimes the technique may leave something to be wished for, but the sound...*shudder* :D
 
I vote for Dave.
Although he's a bit stone-faced during concerts, his awesome playing ability more than makes up for it.  :bigsmile:
 
will231982 said:
he's a bit stone-faced during concerts
Click to expand...
Ah come on, he isn't that bad!
StoneFace01.jpg
 
Janick And Adrian. Though I love them both, Janick did a really awesome job in doing the solos in the new album, so it's him. I loved Adrians tighter old work especially in Powerslave and Somewhere In Time. Dave is an awesome guitarist too, but some solos are too smooth for my taste ( Caught Somewhere In Time).
 
Dude, I can't make this vote. They're all great guitarists. Sorry, I just can't choose. It's like choosing between sex, food, and rock'n'roll. That's just a choice I can't make. ;-)
 
Prodigal Son said:
Dude, I can't make this vote. They're all great guitarists. Sorry, I just can't choose. It's like choosing between sex, food, and rock'n'roll. That's just a choice I can't make. ;-)
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uh that's easy... sex :D But seriously folks, I simply can't vote for Smith, it's against my religion (hail to the Mighty Bassist), so I'll go with Dave :D
 
SinisterMinisterX said:
Another obvious poll that's worth starting. But before you start posting, a warning...

This thread is NOT about bashing or insulting any of the guitarists listed. If you want to proclaim, for example, that "Janick suxx0rs", take it elsewhere.

We all know that all three of the fellows listed above are talented. Yet at times throughout my life, I have distinctly preferred the solos of one particular guitarist. When I was a teenager (in the 80s) I preferred Adrian's solos. However, for the past several years, I have found myself really enjoying Dave's solos in particular. Therefore Dave gets my vote.

You may be wondering why I prefer Dave's solos. (Or you might not, but I'm going to tell you anyway, and then it will be stuck in your brain for all time, mwahahaha!) To my ear, Dave's style has a fluidity which Adrian and Janick lack. For those of you who know musical terminology, Dave has the smoothest legato playing of the three. His solos seems to spring effortlessly from somewhere deep inside of him, a trait that few guitarists have. He makes soloing look effortless, like the guitar is another part of his body rather than an external instrument.
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SMX, as a guitarist, I know exactly what you mean, and I agree whole-heartedly.  Davey is one of my primary influences on my guitar playing (Although I am also influenced by H and Janick.)
 
Prodigal Son said:
Dude, I can't make this vote. They're all great guitarists. Sorry, I just can't choose. It's like choosing between sex, food, and rock'n'roll. That's just a choice I can't make. ;-)
Click to expand...

Which guitarist corresponds to which vice? :innocent:

Myself, I prefer H out of all three.  While Janick has shown himself to be a masterful composer on songs like 'The Pilgrim', 'The Legacy' and 'Dream of Mirrors' and Dave has some of the most casually-cool solos of all time, I believe that H is the best, due to his technical skill and perfectionism.  He doesn't have the most stage presence out of the three (he prefers to focus on playing rather than chucking his guitar around ;)), but his solos are some of the finest I've ever heard in my life.  His best ones are instantly memorable, and the whammy effects at the end of his solo on 'Lord of Light' send a chill down my spine.
 
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