The Unbeliever is a song I have in my Maiden top 10 (to be precize: #7).
I realize I am going more off-topic here, but I hope it's okay to also emphasize the pre-reunion era in relation to Janick.
About his own solos:
I have the idea that his solos in the nineties are somewhat overlooked on this forum. A whole lot of them are at least as strong, or even stronger than what he did in the last 15 years. IMO, since
Brave New World his top solos are in The Legacy, The Pilgrim and Ghost of the Navigator. All other solos I would put in my top 10 were done in the nineties.
More in-depth:
When Janick Gers arrived, he kicked the asses of his bandmates. He injected them with new rounds of motivation after Adrian Smith left. Janick has always been gifted with an incredible amount of energy. That energy certainly went into his solos. Especially in the beginning he vigorously attacked the material with his guitar. He must have been very excited and wanted to give his utmost best. And when you look at the nature and topics of these songs, it matches. Janick Gers did fit into this rougher side of Maiden. Much intensity and aggression go hand in hand into some of his solos on his early work. Nowadays he still goes back to that uncontrollable but also exciting and passionate style.
First I’d like to say a few things about his leads on the
No Prayer for the Dying album.
None have made it to my top 10, but 3 or 4 would have been in the 11-15 zone.
Best of the rest: Janick on
No Prayer for the Dying.
Tailgunner
Entrez Janick Gers! First solo of the album is his. The way he presses and bends those notes! Lots of tension. If a video would exist of him while recording it, I’d love to see that.
The Assassin
I dig the 1st and 3rd quarter the most in this one. Very fast stuff, but it is not as messy as one might think during a first listen. It feels like the solo actually has a certain amount of rhythm. But at the same time he clearly must have improvised, because he does things that are probably uncopyable, even by himself, especially in the 3rd. If you listen carefully with headphones, you can even hear a very short roar (like he grips a chord during a fraction of a second). The beginning of the 1st quarter sounds like the laugh of the assassin, going into a mental frenzy right after that.
Run Silent Run Deep
This solo marks an interesting contrast with the tight, continuing rhythm and (bass)guitars underneath. It features the unpredictable side of Janick that I like a lot. The unexpected moves towards some of the higher notes are really cool and in my opinion his specialty. Even after more listenings it’s not easy to know at which exact moment they come. As unexpected as the bite of a snake, or in this case, the sudden impact of a torpedo. ;-)
Mother Russia (first Janick solo: 3.37-4:00)
This solo sounds like he prepared it pretty well. Less aggressive and it swings quite nicely over the marching rhythm.
The next ones might not be among the best of his oeuvre but they are worthwhile enough to mention when talking about his first album with Maiden:
Hooks in You and Fates Warning feature a different side of Janick. His solos in these songs are short and have good memorable melodies.
Top 10:
10. The Legacy
For a long time, I was considering Run Silent Run Deep for the no. 10 spot, but in the end I still went for this one. We have to wait 6 minutes before it starts. Just when I get the feeling that the song begins to sack in a bit, Janick pumps new life into it.
It's especially the first half that does it (the second I find less impressive and it even ends messy): straight from the start Janick climbs higher and higher in a cool pattern. The uneven lenghts of the notes are trademark Janick.
You don't know when he places them, nor is it easy to predict which direction he takes, which makes it the more exciting. At the same time he manages to deliver a memorable melody. Particular personal highlight: the high, pierced tone @ 6:07 in this clip
09. Blood on the World's Hands
A short solo, but I love the bright echoing sound of it. The solo itself is dramatic, screaming for attention, fitting both the lyrics and Blaze's best performance with Iron Maiden.
08. The Fugitive
The most ridiculed Maiden song since a certain bloke made a comparison with the holy Starblind. And an easy target because it's on
Fear of the Dark, an album not many people have affinity with for a variety of reasons.
I maintain to say that this an underrated track. People tend to overlook it. By doing that, they also might overlook the guitar solos. Especially Janick's because it's one of the most unique ones he ever did. I think lots of people might not even know it's him when they hear it (especially the first half). The reason is that it's a stuctured, obviously well prepared and executed solo, played largely with consistent timing. He does a cool figure that matches the interesting chord changes. The second half starts more aggressive (and
very fast) and the ending is strong.
07. Lord of the Flies
Another dramatic solo, now with lengthy notes. Like in Blood on the World's Hands, Janick manages to capture the drama of the song and the dark atmosphere of the album, this time in a more memorable way.
06. Fear of the Dark
I reckon this is not really the most complicated solo Janick ever did but every quarter is fascinating. He picks the right notes and increases the tension before Dave takes over.
05. Ghost of the Navigator
Sharp and moving tones, piercing straight through the heart.
04. The Pilgrim
Great Eastern vibe and build-up.
03. Como Estais Amigos
If we don't count some of his shorter solos, then this could this be the one with the least amount of notes. But what notes. This is
touch of the highest order.
02. The Clansman
An extraordinary melodic work. A wonderful combination of melody and passion. And it has a very clean finish, by the way.
01. The Unbeliever
Very emotional and aggressive in one of Maiden's best instrumental sections. While it's not even my favourite part (I prefer the aggressive bending and vibrato or whatever he does to make those sounds!), the ending is pretty cool when he goes higher and higher. Check that last note still going on for a while when Dave has picked it up.
