Iron Maiden News, Links, and Interviews

[Cat Milk Supreme]

But Maiden was evolving fast in 1980-82. The old songwriting and the old vocals were holding them back.

Very much agreed. Paul definitely wasn't a strong enough songwriter or personality in the band to keep them 'raw' even if he was still in the band for the third album. As you say, the song writing and production was evolving beyond his niche. The split was necessary and came at the right time.

miles ahead of anyone
NWOBHM albums at the time (compare the second albums by Saxon and Angel Witch, or even 1980 Motörhead, against the sound on Killers).

Word.

I agree that Paul was important to the growth of Iron Maiden, but he was like Moses. He led them on the way, but never got to the Promised Land.

Not sure who would be more displeased at the analogy, Paul or Moses.

One could argue he only sang on two albums and did 'Charlotte the Harlot', which to me is one of the lowest points (definitely lyrically) of Maiden's career.

Well, my comment was not entirely serious (although entirely true) but I really don't think Charlaaaay is a bad song. Ok, I get that people may have a problem with the lyrics but as someone who pays scant attention to lyrics, I have never had a problem and find the song quite decent. An integral part of the album. I find the lyrics of the two songs I mentioned much harder to listen to. But part of that is the fact that the people writing/singing Charlotte were kids so they get a by-ball from me and I see it as a bit of a curio. I dont know why they dropped it in 2005 but I would wager that Bruce couldn't stomach delivering the lyrics in public and if thats the case, I respect the decision. Musically, though, it is much better than Weekend Warrior and Age of Innocence, IMO.

 

[Kalata]

And Dickinson will never have the style nor the swagger on stage as Di'Anno. Feel free to compare the Rainbow gig and now the Beat Club to the Hammersmith Odeon for free points.

I think every time when Bruce sing a Di'Anno era song, he improves it. - actually, Bruce improves every song that he sing, although, I do not know if he can save Prodigal Son live.... (maybe only Purgatory doesn't fit Bruce's voice). Di'Anno was great for the early days, but I think Blaze is also better vocalist than him. The Beat Club concert is great, Paul sings almost like on the studio versions of the songs, but Bruce is majestic on Beast Over Hammersmith - no one can touch Bruce's vocals there !!!

 

[Kalata]

IRON MAIDEN: ALBUM BY ALBUM Book Out In October -> http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=30138

Required reading for all IRON MAIDEN fans, Album By Album is a compendium of in-depth, entertaining, and profusely illustrated conversations about all sixteen of the legendary metal band’s studio albums.

This new book from prolific rock journalist Martin Popoff pays tribute to IRON MAIDEN’s studio discography through a series of in-depth, frank, and entertaining conversations about all sixteen of the legendary heavy metal band’s studio albums. Inside, the author gathers together metal journalists, authors, and musicians, who offer insights, opinions, and anecdotes about every release.
MAIDEN’s fanbase is large, diverse and enduring, and that goes for the line-up Popoff assembled to break down each MAIDEN studio release. Among those weighing in are musicians Marty Friedman, Mike Portnoy, Matt Heafy, Nita Strauss, Ahmet Zappa and former MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley. Rocker and pro wrestler Chris Jericho is here, along with journalists “Metal” Tim Henderson, Rich Davenport, Jimmy Kay and other metal and IRON MAIDEN experts.

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[John Silver]

I guess if I was one of those people who really loved the pre-Smith/Birch sound, then yeah, I'd be upset when Paul left.

Birch was involved in Killers though buddy, and Dickinson brought a completely different thing to Maiden that many liked and many still like. Once in a while someone comes along and thinks Dickinson isn't the bees knees and this is that time.
What they lost with Di'Anno was the band at street level/East End level. Another bit of that went bye bye when Burr was kicked out.

But Maiden was evolving fast in 1980-82. The band that they were on the Soundhouse Tapes wasn't even close to the band they were a year later when Iron Maiden came out, and Killers was another different sound altogether.

They kept evolving beyond that as well, culminating arguably in 1984 with Powerslave. A very good sounding record and I can mostly tolerate the vocals on there. Mostly. Of course Di'Anno would not have fitted in that scene.
After that the cartoon powermetal image came really into play with the laughably poor Somewhere in Time. After that, a return to form and then mostly decline until Dickinson left in '93.

And yea, it was good that Di'Anno was out by '82, though I could imagine him doing well on quite a few tracks off Number of the Beast.

 

[LooseCannon]

Birch was involved in Killers though buddy

Yes,that's why I called it the "pre Smith/Birch sound", on account of both those fellows first showed up for Killers.

What they lost with Di'Anno was the band at street level/East End level. Another bit of that went bye bye when Burr was kicked out.

Absolutely! The problem is that bands that retained that sort of feeling never made it big. I think Angel Witch is the best example, very promising opening records, then they just kinda...didn't go anywhere huge. Not to say that they don't have a ton of fans, but Maiden was able to go to the next level because they evolved past the style they had built while playing in pubs and small London clubs. I think the difference for Steve was that he never saw a record deal as his end game, he never saw a big concert as his end game. He saw himself playing bass for the biggest metal band in the world, #1 albums galore, a lasting global influence, and playing to hundreds of thousands at huge festivals. Anything that threatened that went out the door, from day one. And Paul was one of those things who threatened that success.

 

[Poto]

What they lost with Di'Anno was the band at street level/East End level. Another bit of that went bye bye when Burr was kicked out.

That's like saying you lose your spot in Championship when you qualify for the Premier League.

 

[harrisdevot]

I must be deaf, but I've never heard such a big difference between the different incarnations of the band. I mean, everything is still there in 1980 in term of writing style. Sure, there is a world between Burning Ambition and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, but, this prehistory of the band put aside, when one listens to the debut, many things are already there. What followed were improvements due to a new singer with a wider range, allowing the songwriters to write more complex melodies, a great producer, and many gigs which helped the band to be tighter and tighter and improved their musical skills. But saying that it's a whole different band, no, I wouldn't go that far.

 

[John Silver]

Yes,that's why I called it the "pre Smith/Birch sound", on account of both those fellows first showed up for Killers.


Absolutely! The problem is that bands that retained that sort of feeling never made it big. I think Angel Witch is the best example, very promising opening records, then they just kinda...didn't go anywhere huge. Not to say that they don't have a ton of fans, but Maiden was able to go to the next level because they evolved past the style they had built while playing in pubs and small London clubs. I think the difference for Steve was that he never saw a record deal as his end game, he never saw a big concert as his end game. He saw himself playing bass for the biggest metal band in the world, #1 albums galore, a lasting global influence, and playing to hundreds of thousands at huge festivals. Anything that threatened that went out the door, from day one. And Paul was one of those things who threatened that success.

Bugger, I agree. Paul had to be ousted.
But just imagine, in an alternate reality where Steve was not hell bent on world domination, an Iron Maiden with DiAnno and Burr making a few more records and then fading into obscurity. But those few records would be glorious.
Or imagine Paul being electricuted during said Beat Club gig. He would be the Bon Scott of Maiden lore and not the pariah he is considered now. I’ll stop meself now. Thank you.

 

[Diesel 11]

But those few records would be glorious.

Well if Killers was anything to go by...

 

[Number 6]

And when he was in Maiden, Paul never sang on anything as pish as Weekend Warrior or Age of Innocence. We will all go to our graves with this knowledge.

*cough* "Another Life" & "Drifter" *cough*

 

[Diesel 11]

*cough* "Purgatory" *cough*

 

[Cat Milk Supreme]

*cough* "Another Life" & "Drifter" *cough*

*cough* "Purgatory" *cough*

Absolute masterpieces compared to WW & AOI!!!


@John Silver I don't think Di'Anno is seen as a pariah, not on here, generally. Ok, not many regard his era as Maidens peak but I don't see any outright hatred of the man or his time in the band. Maybe there have been a few negative comments regarding some of his antics and modern day vocal performances but to be fair, they aren't exactly unwarranted.

 

[Diesel 11]

Absolute masterpieces compared to WW & AOI!!!

 

[Cat Milk Supreme]

You may be in trouble @Diesel 11 I think The Wizard has trademarked that move

 

[Diesel 11]

The Wizard smiles upon those who have implemented the gif in their own posts.

 

[GhostofCain]

But part of that is the fact that the people writing/singing Charlotte were kids so they get a by-ball from me and I see it as a bit of a curio. I dont know why they dropped it in 2005 but I would wager that Bruce couldn't stomach delivering the lyrics in public and if thats the case, I respect the decision.

I think you've hit the nail right on the head... At least that is the impression a mate of mine got after talking with Bruce and Adrian some days after the song was dropped.

 

[Forostar]

I do not respect that decision, prudish wimps. I do not believe it either. It would be a lame ass hypocrite move by the writer of BYDTTS, Hooks in You and Zulu Lulu.

 

[GhostofCain]

I do not respect that decision. Lame ass hypocrite move by the writer of BYDTTS, Hooks in You and Zulu Lulu.

It is not as if any of those songs have been performed live recently, is it?

Either way, I guess Bruce not the only band member embarrassed by the lyrics. We now know that even Dave Murray disowns them.

 

[Forostar]

They're sure happy with the Beat Club release. Great performance. It is so much more than lyrics this song.

 

[GhostofCain]

They're sure happy with the Beat Club release. Great performance. It is so much more than lyrics this song.

All songs are. The problem some of us have with it is that we find the lyrics to be terribly cringeworthy.