The Official Maidenfans.com Rankings results (2004-2016)

[MrKnickerbocker]

It has huge averages in early years. Simply massive. Even with the rolling rankings rating those years at a lower value, it kicks it up into the mid-eights. The original & Dance of Death generations of Maidenfans simply loved the track.

I still don't get it. But I also don't get how in the hell Loneliness is this high either. Should be far lower than 100.

Easily Top 20 material.

Said someone about every song in this thread.

 

[LooseCannon]

T55: Isle of Avalon - The Final Frontier (Smith, Harris)
Average score: 8.49/10 Deviation: 1.02
The Final Frontier 7/10
Top 50: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
Top 100: 2016

Here's one that dropped off this year. I guess Geddy Harris and Adrian Lifeson's song from Iron Rush hasn't done that well with the most recent generation of Maidenfans. Huh, turns out I made that joke before. Lots of appreciation on this one, but a few people who just don't love the prog-influence and think the track is boring. A few critiques of the lyrics, but I think they're more mystical than they are confusing - you just need a pretty solid grounding in Celtic Britain, which I have.

Choice comments:

The song was going well until they went to this boring ass riff which pretty much killed things for me. Oh and the transition into the reprise of the intro was pretty shit. The rest of the song is quite strong, and as a result this is on of my favs.

Good call Khan - you hit the nail on the head with the Jazz riffage in the mid section.. I was listening to this today traveling inbetween sales calls and my jaw almost hit the fucking floor - they have NEVER done anything likethis before. So, right there I give the guys huge props on this album.. Creativity is king - I mean did we really want another Piece of Mind?

I'm still finding new pieces. The "I can hear her crying, tears of an angel" part is ungodly. I can feel this song in my bones. I look forward to years of listening and absorbing this track. What can you say? This album has turned me upside down. My life is almost at a halt as I listen and take care of the rest of my life in between listens...

Anyway...when I first heard this song I did a double-take and thought 'what the hell is this?'. There's just so much going on in the song I could tell this would need alot more listens to even begin to get my head round it. Well, now I've listened to it a few more times, and it's growing on me all the while.

the song does have a chorus of sorts, namely the "fertility mother goddess" part. Whenever it repeats, it comes off like the high point of the vocals. I think the overall structure of the song is not that complex really. But the stuff they do over the 7/4 beat in the center is incredible, the riffs too! I really like how the rhythm guitars build suspense and carry the solo. When it hits with the vocals again, it's like a giant conclusion of drama.

God, I cannot believe how boring this song is.

Easily the most progressive song in the Maiden catalog, this track tosses back to the 1970s and summons forth Geddy Lee to run interference for Steve Harris. A killer chorus overshadows the longer verses. This track screams "experimentation"! and it mostly works.

is is a masterpiece. I wasn't so sure when I first heard it; although it was a 9 on first listen, it has grown on me even more. Some really sweet riffs and melodies in this one.

"Fertility mother goddess" was the line I thought dumb on first hearing; now I love that line and the way Bruce sings it.

I thought this was a brilliant song when the album was new, and one of the best epics on the album. But something has happened, maybe the fact that I've listened to the song about 150 times has made me a bit tired of it, I just don't think it's that great anymore. The weakest link in this song is Bruce. Especially towards the end of the song. Don't get me wrong, it's a very good song, but not as good as the four other long songs.

Pre-chorus and chorus are among the worst and laziest melodies they've ever put down on record. Sounds like they just had to speak out some lyrics and the melody is whatever first came to mind. It's really irritating, considering how great the intro and the instrumental section are.

The vocal melody of the post chorus is grating, but not enough to ruin the song. The bridge is very reminiscent of Paschendale and Dave's solo is fantastic, leading the band into a Rush-inspired jam with a killer Adrian lead. It's great to hear them playing something so typically un-Maiden, especially Steve's funky, Geddyesque bass line.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2011: 8.70; 33/144
2012: 36/144 -3
2014: 8.87 +0.17; 31/144 +5
2015: 8.64 -0.23; 48/144 -17
2016: 7.85 -0.79; 73/155 -25

Overall

Spoiler

55 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
55 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
57 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
58 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
59 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
60 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
61 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
62 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
63 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
64 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
65 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
66 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
67 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
68 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
69 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
69 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
71 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
71 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
73 - Wrathchild (Killers)
74 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
74 - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
76 - The Ides of March (Killers)
77 - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
78 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.38 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.92 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.00 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.51 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.62 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
1.62 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.69 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.19 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.36 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.50 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
2.89 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.26 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 26
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 18
Somewhere in Time 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 20
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 44
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 1 Top 100: 11
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 4/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 3 Top 100: 18
The Final Frontier 7/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 28
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Mosh]

Best Maiden instrumental section since Alexander the Great, except this time everything else is equally as good.

 

[LooseCannon]

54: The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg - A Matter of Life and Death (Murray, Harris)
Average score: 8.55/10 Deviation: 0.92
A Matter of Life and Death 5/10
Top 50: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
Top 100: 2008

A couple milestones here. We've now entered the 8.50-8.99 range, or "great" songs. Only two levels exist above this - Excellent tracks and Masterpieces. Secondly, half of A Matter of Life and Death is now on the board, as the first single from the album enters our rankings. This one's a grower, and its change in the rankings seems to reflect that. Lots of love for Mr. Murray's solos here, and for the haunting atmosphere the track evokes.

Choice comments:

As this was the first track I heard from this album (coupled with the fact that I took an instant liking to it), I have to say that every time I play the album, this track gives me a little smile as if I'm hearing from an old friend. I love the way the song (aside from the intro and outro) just relentlessly chugs along - great piece.

When I first heard this song I thought it is not very interesting and not that good as from songs from older albums and I was a bit afraid of a new album after that, but I am now satisfied with how it fits right after the Out of the Shadows. But still, there are better pieces, yes. I can't get last triplet out of my head. Even the Legacy (with too long intro some people say) is great. In fact, briliant album closer. It seems to me that when The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg reaches its end I almost feel the nearing end of things with fast and deep finish of the three remaining.

I mean, he's got an awesome first name. Let's face it. Everyone knows that people named "Benjamin" are superior human beings.

I found this to be a disappointing introduction to AMOLAD. The disappointment was forgotten when I discovered how great the rest of the album was, and as the years have passed this one has slowly crept up my list. I love the intro, the heavy, relentless main riff and the instrumental section. The rhythms seem so precise and Bruce’s performance is outstanding.

Really heavy... everything about this tune is great, but Dave should have at least doubled the length of the solo. Even better live...

This intro with that haunting lead guitar by Dave is a very moving one. This goes so deep that when I hear it, I get a vision of the future in which I play this song, after the death of (one of) my parents, or another loved one, and then I would feel a big sadness, and see images of the past, memories... of them and me. Mad, I know, but sometimes music can evoke feelings which are deep inside, and bring it a bit more forward. I guess I am scared of and feel sad about the idea of missing them. And this song evokes (reincarnates!) this idea, from time to time.

I didn't understood the fuzz about the song before, but the song has grown on me lately.

The riff is bone-crushing, the atmosphere is dark and the lyrics are thrilling. The song have a great flow, and seamlessly goes between verse and chorus.
Bruces does a great performance, and the melody and lyrics goes together very well. The solo really stands out as well, very good one.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2008: 7.92; 97/134
2011: 8.64 +0.72; 38/144 +9
2012: 45/144 -7
2014: 8.84 +0.20; 32/144+13
2015: 8.77 -0.07; 40/144 -8
2016: 8.39 -0.38; 50/155 -10

Overall

Spoiler

54 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
55 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
55 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
57 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
58 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
59 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
60 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
61 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
62 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
63 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
64 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
65 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
66 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
67 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
68 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
69 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
69 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
71 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
71 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
73 - Wrathchild (Killers)
74 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
74 - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
76 - The Ides of March (Killers)
77 - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
78 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.38 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.92 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.00 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.51 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.62 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
1.62 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.69 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.19 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.36 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.50 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
2.89 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.26 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 26
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 18
Somewhere in Time 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 20
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 44
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 1 Top 100: 11
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 19
The Final Frontier 7/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 28
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[LooseCannon]

T52: The Talisman - The Final Frontier (Gers, Harris)
Average score: 8.57/10 Deviation: 0.58
The Final Frontier 8/10
Top 50: 2011, 2014, 2015
Top 100: 2012, 2016

This one probably misses out on being an excellent-or-higher track due to the intro. Too many people feel like it repeats what we heard on The Legacy, and many have noted that it goes on a little long. However, it has scored high marks for Bruce's vocals and for feeling like "classic" Iron Maiden (whatever the fuck that means). A fairly average deviation for this album, as opinions have swayed back and forth on this one slightly, but I think it's going to stick in this realm over the next few years.

Choice comments:

At the end of the day, I think The Talisman would get more plays on my Ipod if it didn't have the intro. I may in fact have two versions of it. One like how it's supposed to be, and one with the intro edited out. I've done that with a fair few Maiden songs. Call it Sacrilegious but hey. It works for me.

Right on. Excellent song and I have it right behind Isle.. but its gaining ground and coming around the bend! Talk to me tomorrow and it might take over my #1.. listening now, and I love the gallop in this one - its pure wicked man, and Bruce must have had Kevin Shirley pulling on his nut sack to sing like this!!!!

Yes the Talisman baby!! Is anyone else particularly loving the haunting guitar part after Bruce's "But the ropes keep them tight" part? I think that particular sound happens twice or three times during the song. It's like a bend in the song, and it is freekin tight! I love the song, but the intro may be a tad to long, and soft. It actually doesn't sound as much like the legacy as the sample made it out to. Awesome haunting story told with power!

Janick is cleary no longer just "the third guitarist" but an integral parting of Maiden's sonic attack and writing skills. The Talisman is, so far, my fave song on the album. It reminds me heavily of Rime.

Bruce tries (on purpose) to sing like an old man with some particular accent. Even if I might understand the purpose, I dislike it. The weird thing is that currently I am working on some project myself, which also features an "old" voice (done by a 35 year old friend of mine), but that's not sung but spoken. Maybe the way of singing annoys me as well. It sounds a bit ridiculous, like an old man trying to sing for the first time. I have to laugh a bit about it. Later, this laughing turns into something close to terror.

I loved this song right off the bat. I even liked the somewhat sea shanty intro. I get chills when that riff comes it. I love how there's almost two different choruses on this one as well. Great melodies.

My only small complaint is that it feels like it ends too soon. I sort of wish they had done a bit more of a proper Maiden ending to this song. And I think a few more solos would have done wonders as well. But man, that melody is just otherworldly.

This song is brilliant. Correction: The main song is brilliant. The intro annoys me a little, the first one is a little boring and the Legacy copy is unoriginal. However the main song is brilliant.

If I was to choose a Maiden song which defines what I love about the band, it would be this.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2011: 8.50; 47/144
2012: 61/144 -14
2014: 8.74 +0.24; 42/144 +19
2015: 8.81 +0.07; 37/144 +5
2016: 8.23 -0.58; 54/155 -17

Overall

Spoiler

52 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
54 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
55 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
55 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
57 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
58 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
59 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
60 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
61 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
62 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
63 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
64 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
65 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
66 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
67 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
68 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
69 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
69 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
71 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
71 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
73 - Wrathchild (Killers)
74 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
74 - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
76 - The Ides of March (Killers)
77 - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
78 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.38 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.58 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.92 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.00 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.51 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.62 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
1.62 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.69 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.19 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.36 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.50 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
2.89 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.26 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 6/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 26
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 18
Somewhere in Time 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 20
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 44
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 1 Top 100: 11
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 19
The Final Frontier 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 10 Top 100: 30
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[LooseCannon]

T52: Transylvania - Iron Maiden (Harris)
Average score: 8.57/10 Deviation: 2.08
Iron Maiden 7/9
Top 25: 2005, 2008
Top 50: 2004, 2006, 2012
Top 100: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016

The final of Iron Maiden's four instrumentals to make the list, Transylvania checks in just shy of the all-time Top 50. The rhythm section shines here, according to the comments. Some people have commented that this track was a good gateway to Iron Maiden. I don't have much else to say here. Sorry, I only ever think of this song when it comes on, and I don't have any clever stuff to note. Oh, it got savaged in 2016, if that keeps up, it should slump down the rankings.

Choice comments:

the best maiden instrumental IMO and one of the best metal instrumentals ever. actually it is probably my fav. instrumental period. wish it was longer tho. but yeah nice drumming, nice catchy riffs, nice solos (i especially like the live at the rainbow version of this, its faster and yes more aggressive..adrians solo on it makes dennis' sound like poopie, although that one is still quite good)..and the BASS!!! this is why 'arry is my idol...i LOVE playing the bass to this song, its soo fun!!

Vvvvva-ba-ba-babababa-ba-ba-bababaBA!

Great stuff. You wouldn't think an instrumental could rock this hard until you hear it. I'm not sure I like this better than The Ides of March, but it's great. It makes me wonder how this would sound with a heavier production, though.

Next to Prowler the song that really got me hooked and learnt me the strengths of the band: aggression, harmonies and an awesome rhythm section! Those bass/drum accents throughout most of track are almost hypnotizing.

Their best instrumental. I don't know why they don't play it live. They could play it so that Bruce could take a little break during the set.

I must admit, I really don't like this one too much. It's a good song, but it just doesn't do much for me.

MORE DENNIS STRATTON!!!!

Not a huge fan of Maiden instrumentals. I prefer both of the ones on Killers in any case

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.60; 44/123
2005: 9.48 +0.88; 24/124 +20
2006: 9.78 +0.30; 30/124 -6
2008: 9.50 -0.28; 24/134 -6
2011: 8.36 -1.14; 54/144 -30
2012: 48/144 +6
2014: 8.29 -0.07; 58/144 -10
2015: 8.27 +0.02; 60/144 -2
2016: 7.70 -0.57; 80/155 -20

Overall

Spoiler

52 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
52 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
54 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
55 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
55 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
57 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
58 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
59 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
60 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
61 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
62 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
63 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
64 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
65 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
66 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
67 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
68 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
69 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
69 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
71 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
71 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
73 - Wrathchild (Killers)
74 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
74 - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
76 - The Ides of March (Killers)
77 - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
78 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.38 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.58 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.92 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.00 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.51 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.62 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
1.62 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.69 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.08 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.19 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.36 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.50 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
2.89 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.26 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 7/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 30
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 18
Somewhere in Time 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 20
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 4 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 44
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 1 Top 100: 11
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 19
The Final Frontier 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 10 Top 100: 30
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Lampwick 43]

I always thought The Talisman was a little overrated... I'm actually slightly relieved it didn't make the overall top 50.

 

[The Flash]

Benjamin Breeg is way too good to go #54. Another certain Top 20 track for me.

 

[LooseCannon]

51: The Edge of Darkness - The X Factor (Harris, Bayley, Gers)
Average score: 8.60/10 Deviation: 1.88
The X Factor 10/11
Top 25: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008
Top 100: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016

We're at #51! That means this list is officially 67% complete! Huzzah! Only...50 more songs to go. Phew. That is actually quite a lot, when you look at it. Think about the competition for these upper echelons. You folk must really like Iron Maiden to give fully one third of their catalogue a "great" rating! The penultimate song from The X Factor, this track was once very close to the Top 10, but has since fallen to be regularly in the 60s. Not sure if that's fair or not - I think it's stellar, but probably not Top 25 material - but clearly this is one of the best-regarded Blaze era tracks. Some people critique the lyrics on this one, but many enjoy the inevitable march into the epic instrumental.

Choice comments:

Amazing song, and one that should be played live again sometime soon. Blaze dominates the song, and it's a prime example of why he was the right man to sing on this album.
I 'kin love everything about this one. The slow build-up, the moody first verses, the way it explodes into the third verse, the Trooper-flavoured lead riff, the galloping parts - DAMN this is pure Maiden all the way through.

Those intro chords are hair raising, the helicopter sound just sends you to another dimension of sounds and images. Blaze's performance is absolutely stunning, the way he delivers the lyrics is like he has a really strong relation to that kind of situation or that psychological condition; Davey and Jan are on fire on this album! Janick' solo is unique, perfect, master class! The song's main melody and the "Here, I am - the knife in my hand and now, I understand why the genius must die!" accompainment melody are the kind of thing you listen, feel and say "Man, no wonder why this band is idolized by millions."

Textbook Harris songwriting imagery. The intro drips the slow, feverish sweat of the deep jungle. Then comes the decisive march in, the loss of control, the moment when the madness realizes clarity and the retreat back into the dank, dense impenetrable night. Probably the second-best track on the album and definitely climbing my personal list.

The main riff is just about the only good thing on this song. First 2 minutes are incredibly boring, and the song as a whole goes nowhere

The X Factor is full of heavy hitters - SotC, Lord of the Flies, Fortunes of War, Judgement of Heaven… - and even out of these this song stands out. It wasn’t always the case: when I listened to TXF for the first time, this was the moment I fell asleep - I admit, the first listen was a tough one. But it grew upon me - the atmosphere, the guitars, even the lyrics.

This song should have been longer. I feel like all that brooding atmosphere and building tension comes flat and I felt like the song had only just started. Am I the only one thinking this is a bit anti-climactic?

10/10. Now I understand why the genius must die.

This one starts interestingly enough with the ominous intro. It starts to fall apart pretty quickly once the heavy part kicks in. The first heavy verse is just plodding to me. Once it picks up the tempo a bit it gets better. Great guitar melody there. The part starting with "I know captain that you've done this work before" verse is probably my favorite part of the song. The lyrics are incredibly awkward though. Relies way too heavily on original dialog from the movie and blandly retelling the plot.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 9.00; 19/123
2005: 9.70 +0.70; 11/124 +8
2006: 9.88 +0.18; 12/124 -1
2008: 9.56 -0.32; 18/134 -6
2011: 7.96 -1.60; 67/144 -49
2012: 80/144 -13
2014: 8.14 +0.18; 62/144 +18
2015: 8.20 +0.06; 61/144 +1
2016: 8.00 -0.20; 63/155 -2

Overall

Spoiler

51 - The Edge of Darkness (The X Factor)
52 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
52 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
54 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
55 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
55 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
57 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
58 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
59 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
60 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
61 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
62 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
63 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
64 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
65 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
66 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
67 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
68 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
69 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
69 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
71 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
71 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
73 - Wrathchild (Killers)
74 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
74 - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
76 - The Ides of March (Killers)
77 - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
78 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.38 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.58 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.92 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.00 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.51 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.62 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
1.62 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.69 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.88 - The Edge of Darkness (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.08 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.19 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.36 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.50 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
2.89 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.26 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 7/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 30
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 18
Somewhere in Time 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 20
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 1 Top 100: 11
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 5/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 19
The Final Frontier 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 10 Top 100: 30
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Mosh]

Am I the only one who heard the Edge of Darkness recycled in Shadows Of the Valley?

 

[LooseCannon]

50: The Longest Day - A Matter of Life and Death (Smith, Harris, Dickinson)
Average score: 8.61/10 Deviation: 1.42
A Matter of Life and Death 6/10
Top 50: 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
Top 100: 2016

This track has a pretty high deviation for A Matter of Life and Death, and it's because 2016 really kicked it in the pants, pulling a fairly regular mid-eights rating down to 7.88. Curious what slipped here. Overall people praise the introduction and the first crescendo, but I think there's a general consensus that the second verse was almost a let-down, and there was no attempt to do anything else after the instrumental. Perhaps disappointing, considering the subject matter borders the subject of one of the greater reunion-era tracks. Welcome to the Overall Top 50!

Choice comments:

As in These colours don't run, there's something about the lyrics of this song, and Bruce's way to sing them, that creates images in my head. He sings about the stuff of nightmares, really, but oh how well he does it. The build-up that becomes stronger and stronger and then explodes in the "Sliding we go...".
Love this song, love the lyrics, love the riffs, the drums. What's not to like

One of my favourite intros...talk about setting a tone and painting a picture. I don't place this song on the same level as I do Paschendale, but there's only a couple that do come close to that lofty height. My favouite harmony guitar piece is a highlight of this tune... when Dave comes soaring in with the solo over top of it, it's like the sun breaking through black clouds. Awesome. This is another great mind movie tune.

This song has really been more and more disappointing over time. I really forced myself to love it in the same vein as Paschendale originally; but it's slumped since then, especially upon recognition that the true masterpieces on this album are BTATS and FTGGOG. Still, the buildup before the first chorus is one of the best-written pieces of both musical and lyrical imagery the band's come up with, if the instrumental section is a hint boring. The second chorus is downright insulting.

The opening of this song is absolutely perfect — the building tension, with the waves lapping and the bombs echoing in the distance. The release when Bruce sings “sliding we go…” sends chills. The chorus isn’t quite as good, but only in comparison to what came before. That said, this song has dropped somewhat for me.

Probably my least fave Maide song. It drags, Bruce tries to save it, but he fails. The build up is great, but when comes the chorus, the visible lack of inspiration comes in torrents; the lyrics are very well written, but the instrumental section is confused and neither with much good will it depicts the horrors of the D Day, the waltzy melodies sounds like some ridiculous power metal bands, specially the german ones, and Dave's solo is silly.

One of my favourite vocal performances by any singer ever. Bruce is the star of the show here. He adds drama and tension and really describes the hell the song is about. Of course his lyrics are terrific as well. The instrumental part is one of the best on the album. Never had a problem with the chorus either.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2008: 9.30; 34/134
2011: 8.76 -0.54; 30/144 +4
2012: 50/144 -20
2014: 8.77 +0.01; 39/144 +11
2015: 8.68 -0.09; 43/144 -4
2016: 7.88 -0.80; 72/155 -29

Overall

Spoiler

50 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
51 - The Edge of Darkness (The X Factor)
52 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
52 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
54 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
55 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
55 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
57 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
58 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
59 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
60 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
61 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
62 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
63 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
64 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
65 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
66 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
67 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
68 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
69 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
69 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
71 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
71 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
73 - Wrathchild (Killers)
74 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
74 - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
76 - The Ides of March (Killers)
77 - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
78 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.38 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.58 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.92 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.00 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.42 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.51 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.62 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
1.62 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.69 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.88 - The Edge of Darkness (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.08 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.19 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.36 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.50 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
2.89 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.26 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 7/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 30
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 18
Somewhere in Time 3/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 4 Top 100: 20
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 1 Top 100: 11
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 6/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 20
The Final Frontier 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 10 Top 100: 30
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[LooseCannon]

49: Sea of Madness - Somewhere in Time (Smith)
Average score: 8.62/10 Deviation: 1.10
Somewhere in Time 4/8
Top 50: 2005, 2008, 2016
Top 100: 2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015

We return to Somewhere in Time for the halfway point of that album, a fast rocker that has stayed fairly regularly in the mid-eights for Maidenfans. This song had one fairly high year (2005) and one fairly low year (2011) but nothing dramatic. I doubt it will ever go much higher, and this seems to be the right point for it, rankings-wise. Very few critiques - some dislike Bruce's vocals, others love them - and a general appreciation that this is a hidden gem in the Iron Maiden catalog.

Choice comments:

A very good song, and another one that I like more now than when it first came out. I think Bruce was great on this song: something about his verse melody really does sound like madness to me.

I've grown to like this track a lot more than I used to. I'm still not overly fond of Bruce in this one, and the riff is not very exciting, but I really love the instrumental section.

SIT is home to three of what I consider Maiden’s most underappreciated songs. This is the first. It’s got a great heavy riff, one of the band’s most uplifting choruses and Steve and Nicko are the musical version of elite tandem fire jugglers dancing along a tightrope. The middle section is not Powerslave, but it is worthy of mention at the next level. I’ve never really understood what others thought was missing here.

'Sea Of Madness' is one of the best Maiden songs, the chorus is awesome, one of the very best.

Underrated. Was my favorite track off SIT first time I heard it. Trademark Maiden driving riffs. Liked the opening, which to me was a bit more thrash/power than usual Maiden (and I was really into it at the time).

One of the trickiest Maiden riffs to start off with a tune that's pretty atypical in general. I always liked Bruce's vocal performance on this, the melodies are written for a more limited range (probably because H wrote the whole song) so Bruce doesn't really have to worry about straining here. The driving rhythm in the chorus really creates a unique tension that builds really well into the instrumental section. I also like how Adrian's solo comes right out of the twin melody preceding it, another trick that Maiden had never really done before. Great buildup with the soft section too.

Statistics

Spoiler

Yearly ratings & rankings
2004: 8.36; 62/123
2005: 9.16 +0.80; 34/124 +28
2006: 8.96 -0.20; 52/124 -18
2008: 8.88 -0.08; 48/134 +4
2011: 8.06 -0.82; 62/144 -14
2012: 65/144 -3
2014: 8.40 +0.34; 56/144 +9
2015: 8.56 +0.16; 52/144 +4
2016: 8.83 +0.27; 31/155 +21

Overall

Spoiler

49 - Sea of Madness (Somewhere in Time)
50 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
51 - The Edge of Darkness (The X Factor)
52 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
52 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
54 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
55 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
55 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
57 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
58 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
59 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
60 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
61 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
62 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
63 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
64 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
65 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
66 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
67 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
68 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
69 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
69 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
71 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
71 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
73 - Wrathchild (Killers)
74 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
74 - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
76 - The Ides of March (Killers)
77 - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
78 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
79 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
80 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
80 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
82 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
82 - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
84 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
85 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
86 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
87 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
87 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
89 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
89 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
91 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
92 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
93 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
94 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
95 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
96 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
97 - Purgatory (Killers)
98 - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
99 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
99 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
101 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
102 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
102 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
102 - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
105 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
106 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
107 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
108 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
109 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
110 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
111 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
112 - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
113 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
114 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
115 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
116 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
116 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
118 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
119 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
120 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
121 - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)
122 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
123 - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
124 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
125 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
126 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
126 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
128 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
129 - Drifter (Killers)
130 - Another Life (Killers)
131 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
132 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
132 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
134 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
135 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
136 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
137 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
138 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
139 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
140 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
141 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
142 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
143 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
143 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
145 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
146 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
147 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
148 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
149 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
150 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
151 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
152 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
153 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
153 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
155 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)

Song deviance (least to greatest)

Spoiler

0.26 - Different World (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.26 - Mother of Mercy (The Final Frontier)
0.27 - The Alchemist (The Final Frontier)
0.34 - The Fallen Angel (Brave New World)
0.38 - Flight of Icarus (Piece of Mind)
0.39 - Satellite 15... The Final Frontier (The Final Frontier)
0.44 - Die With Your Boots On (Piece of Mind)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.58 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Total Eclipse (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Run to the Hills (The Number of the Beast)
0.90 - Heaven Can Wait (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - Fear is the Key (Fear of the Dark)
0.92 - The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (Somewhere in Time)
0.92 - The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.93 - Sun and Steel (Piece of Mind)
0.96 - Innocent Exile (Killers)
1.00 - Coming Home (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Isle of Avalon (The Final Frontier)
1.02 - Lord of the Flies (The X Factor)
1.03 - No Prayer For the Dying (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.04 - Purgatory (Killers)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.10 - Sea of Madness (Somewhere in Time)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.42 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.51 - Only the Good Die Young (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.52 - Journeyman (Dance of Death)
1.52 - The Fugitive (Fear of the Dark)
1.52 - Wasting Love (Fear of the Dark)
1.54 - Out of the Silent Planet (Brave New World)
1.54 - Prodigal Son (Killers)
1.56 - Iron Maiden (Iron Maiden)
1.58 - The Unbeliever (The X Factor)
1.62 - Judas Be My Guide (Fear of the Dark)
1.62 - The Clairvoyant (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.67 - Out of the Shadows (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.68 - Man on the Edge (The X Factor)
1.68 - The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
1.69 - Strange World (Iron Maiden)
1.82 - Drifter (Killers)
1.83 - The Thin Line Between Love and Hate (Brave New World)
1.83 - Tailgunner (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.84 - Age of Innocence (Dance of Death)
1.86 - Back in the Village (Powerslave)
1.86 - Sanctuary (Iron Maiden)
1.87 - Judgement of Heaven (The X Factor)
1.88 - The Edge of Darkness (The X Factor)
1.94 - Public Enema Number One (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.94 - Quest For Fire (Piece of Mind)
1.95 - The Angel and the Gambler (Virtual XI)
2.04 - Wildest Dreams (Dance of Death)
2.08 - Transylvania (Iron Maiden)
2.10 - Blood on the World's Hands (The X Factor)
2.19 - Genghis Khan (Killers)
2.20 - Lightning Strikes Twice (Virtual XI)
2.20 - New Frontier (Dance of Death)
2.22 - Hooks in You (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.26 - Losfer Words (Big 'Orra) (Powerslave)
2.27 - Look For the Truth (The X Factor)
2.36 - Run Silent, Run Deep (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.50 - The Duelists (Powerslave)
2.72 - Twilight Zone (Killers)
2.82 - Gates of Tomorrow (Dance of Death)
2.87 - The Ides of March (Killers)
2.89 - The Aftermath (The X Factor)
2.93 - Bring Your Daughter... ...To the Slaughter (No Prayer For the Dying)
2.94 - Holy Smoke (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.04 - Be Quick or Be Dead (Fear of the Dark)
3.26 - The Educated Fool (Virtual XI)
3.32 - Charlotte the Harlot (Iron Maiden)
3.34 - Chains of Misery (Fear of the Dark)
3.40 - Weekend Warrior (Fear of the Dark)
3.76 - From Here to Eternity (Fear of the Dark)
3.81 - 2 A.M. (The X Factor)
3.90 - The Assassin (No Prayer For the Dying)
3.95 - Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger (Virtual XI)
n/a - Death or Glory (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Shadows of the Valley (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Speed of Light (The Book of Souls)
n/a - Tears of a Clown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Great Unknown (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Man of Sorrows (The Book of Souls)
n/a - The Red and the Black (The Book of Souls)
n/a - When the River Runs Deep (The Book of Souls)

Albums

Spoiler

Iron Maiden 7/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 30
Killers 9/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 3 Top 50: 11 Top 100: 41
The Number of the Beast 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 16
Piece of Mind 4/9 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 19
Powerslave 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 6 Top 100: 18
Somewhere in Time 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 26
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 4/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 24
No Prayer For the Dying 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 6.67 Average Deviation: 2.11
Fear of the Dark 10/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 27
The X Factor 10/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 8 Top 50: 7 Top 100: 49
Virtual XI 7/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 1 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 13
Brave New World 3/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 1 Top 100: 11
Dance of Death 8/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 2 Top 100: 37
A Matter of Life and Death 6/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 20
The Final Frontier 8/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 10 Top 100: 30
The Book of Souls 7/11 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 0 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6

 

[Operations666]

Wrong songwriting credits for The Talisman. It's a Janick song, not a Dave one.

 

[LooseCannon]

Wrong songwriting credits for The Talisman. It's a Janick song, not a Dave one.

Fixed! And Transylvania was wrong too.

 

[Diesel 11]

Sea of Madness should be higher. The chorus is beautiful.

 

[Black Wizard]

The riff in 'Benjamin Breeg' is a cracker. That song grew on me a lot in the years after 'A Matter of Life and Death', an album which I didn't like much to begin with. I still don't have much interest in 'The Final Frontier' but 'The Talisman' is my favourite song from that album, despite it's old man vocals and apelike chorus. I think 'The Edge of Darkness' is my favourite Blaze-era Maiden song.

 

[Poto]

I'm surprised TROBB isn't a top 30 song.

 

[MrKnickerbocker]

I'm genuinely surprised that there are any instrumentals or Blaze songs (save for SOTC, Clansman, and Futureal) anywhere near the top 50.

 

[matic22]

TROBB is the second best song (Behind BTATS). Really surprised by its location.

 

[LooseCannon]

I'm genuinely surprised that there are any instrumentals or Blaze songs (save for SOTC, Clansman, and Futureal) anywhere near the top 50.

Honestly, you're straight-up wrong with your review of The Edge of Darkness. I'm sad it didn't hit the top 50. No spoilers in saying that the only Blaze songs in the Top 50 are Sign of the Cross and The Clansman.