Updated! Final results immediately below!
Overall
Song deviance (least to greatest)
Albums
Album rankings
155: The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
Average score: 3.95/10 Deviation 1.68
Fear of the Dark 1/12
Kicking off our list is the song that some defend, but most despise. Silly verses sung in an odd cadence without much in the way of interesting music or an engaging guitar solo, this song seems to epitomize early-90s Iron Maiden, and, spoiler alert, it’s not a good taster. Was there ever a doubt that this song would be the lowest ranked of them all?
Choice comments:
Statistics (some notes on stats are in here, will not be repeated throughout)
Project notes
This project will continue at the pace I have to create the posts and get them up. I’m generally not going to make too many personal comments - I originally thought it might be fun to have writeups done, but I realized we’ve already done this! Several choice comments will be posted for every song, some of them going back over a decade.
Average ratings are determined at a rolling rate; the older the score, the less it is worth. Here's the exact formula, in case you're wondering:
=(((2004*2)*0.4)+((2005*2)*0.45)+((2006*2)*0.5)+((2008*2)*0.6)+((2011*2)*0.75)+(2014*0.9)+(2015*0.95)+(2016*1))/5.55
Overall
1 - Hallowed Be Thy Name (The Number of the Beast)
2 - Phantom of the Opera (Iron Maiden)
3 - Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Powerslave)
4 - Powerslave (Powerslave)
5 - Revelations (Piece of Mind)
6 - Paschendale (Dance of Death)
7 - Sign of the Cross (The X Factor)
8 - Infinite Dreams (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
9 - The Book of Souls (The Book of Souls)
10 - Aces High (Powerslave)
11 - Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (A Matter of Life and Death)
12 - The Trooper (Piece of Mind)
13 - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
13 - Children of the Damned (The Number of the Beast)
15 - The Clansman (Virtual XI)
16 - If Eternity Should Fail (The Book of Souls)
17 - Killers (Killers)
18 - To Tame a Land (Piece of Mind)
19 - Dance of Death (Dance of Death)
19 - Blood Brothers (Brave New World)
19 - Ghost of the Navigator (Brave New World)
22 - Fear of the Dark (Fear of the Dark)
23 - The Number of the Beast (The Number of the Beast)
23 - Empire of the Clouds (The Book of Souls)
23 - For the Greater Good of God (A Matter of Life and Death)
26 - Moonchild (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
27 - Starblind (The Final Frontier)
28 - Murders in the Rue Morgue (Killers)
28 - Still Life (Piece of Mind)
30 - Alexander the Great (Somewhere in Time)
31 - Rainmaker (Dance of Death)
31 - Where Eagles Dare (Piece of Mind)
33 - Dream of Mirrors (Brave New World)
34 - The Wicker Man (Brave New World)
34 - Wasted Years (Somewhere in Time)
36 - Afraid to Shoot Strangers (Fear of the Dark)
37 - The Nomad (Brave New World)
38 - The Evil That Men Do (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
39 - Caught Somewhere in Time (Somewhere in Time)
39 - 22, Acacia Avenue (The Number of the Beast)
41 - Brave New World (Brave New World)
41 - When the Wild Wind Blows (The Final Frontier)
43 - The Prisoner (The Number of the Beast)
44 - These Colours Don't Run (A Matter of Life and Death)
45 - Stranger in a Strange Land (Somewhere in Time)
46 - The Legacy (A Matter of Life and Death)
47 - Remember Tomorrow (Iron Maiden)
48 - 2 Minutes to Midnight (Powerslave)
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)
2 - Phantom of the Opera (Iron Maiden)
3 - Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Powerslave)
4 - Powerslave (Powerslave)
5 - Revelations (Piece of Mind)
6 - Paschendale (Dance of Death)
7 - Sign of the Cross (The X Factor)
8 - Infinite Dreams (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
9 - The Book of Souls (The Book of Souls)
10 - Aces High (Powerslave)
11 - Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (A Matter of Life and Death)
12 - The Trooper (Piece of Mind)
13 - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
13 - Children of the Damned (The Number of the Beast)
15 - The Clansman (Virtual XI)
16 - If Eternity Should Fail (The Book of Souls)
17 - Killers (Killers)
18 - To Tame a Land (Piece of Mind)
19 - Dance of Death (Dance of Death)
19 - Blood Brothers (Brave New World)
19 - Ghost of the Navigator (Brave New World)
22 - Fear of the Dark (Fear of the Dark)
23 - The Number of the Beast (The Number of the Beast)
23 - Empire of the Clouds (The Book of Souls)
23 - For the Greater Good of God (A Matter of Life and Death)
26 - Moonchild (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
27 - Starblind (The Final Frontier)
28 - Murders in the Rue Morgue (Killers)
28 - Still Life (Piece of Mind)
30 - Alexander the Great (Somewhere in Time)
31 - Rainmaker (Dance of Death)
31 - Where Eagles Dare (Piece of Mind)
33 - Dream of Mirrors (Brave New World)
34 - The Wicker Man (Brave New World)
34 - Wasted Years (Somewhere in Time)
36 - Afraid to Shoot Strangers (Fear of the Dark)
37 - The Nomad (Brave New World)
38 - The Evil That Men Do (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
39 - Caught Somewhere in Time (Somewhere in Time)
39 - 22, Acacia Avenue (The Number of the Beast)
41 - Brave New World (Brave New World)
41 - When the Wild Wind Blows (The Final Frontier)
43 - The Prisoner (The Number of the Beast)
44 - These Colours Don't Run (A Matter of Life and Death)
45 - Stranger in a Strange Land (Somewhere in Time)
46 - The Legacy (A Matter of Life and Death)
47 - Remember Tomorrow (Iron Maiden)
48 - 2 Minutes to Midnight (Powerslave)
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)
0.16 - Brighter Than a Thousand Suns (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.20 - Hallowed Be Thy Name (The Number of the Beast)
0.25 - The Number of the Beast (The Number of the Beast)
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)
0.37 - Phantom of the Opera (Iron Maiden)
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)
0.46 - Rainmaker (Dance of Death)
0.46 - Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Powerslave)
0.46 - These Colours Don't Run (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.48 - Ghost of the Navigator (Brave New World)
0.50 - Alexander the Great (Somewhere in Time)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.53 - Revelations (Piece of Mind)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.56 - Starblind (The Final Frontier)
0.58 - Afraid to Shoot Strangers (Fear of the Dark)
0.58 - Fear of the Dark (Fear of the Dark)
0.58 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.62 - Remember Tomorrow (Iron Maiden)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.66 - Paschendale (Dance of Death)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.69 - Aces High (Powerslave)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.74 - The Legacy (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.76 - The Trooper (Piece of Mind)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - 2 Minutes to Midnight (Powerslave)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.80 - Infinite Dreams (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Powerslave (Powerslave)
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)
0.91 - For the Greater Good of God (A Matter of Life and Death)
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)
0.94 - Sign of the Cross (The X Factor)
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)
1.06 - Brave New World (Brave New World)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.10 - Killers (Killers)
1.10 - Moonchild (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.10 - Sea of Madness (Somewhere in Time)
1.13 - Caught Somewhere in Time (Somewhere in Time)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.18 - The Wicker Man (Brave New World)
1.20 - Wasted Years (Somewhere in Time)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.22 - When the Wild Wind Blows (The Final Frontier)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Children of the Damned (The Number of the Beast)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.24 - Where Eagles Dare (Piece of Mind)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.33 - Still Life (Piece of Mind)
1.34 - The Clansman (Virtual XI)
1.36 - To Tame a Land (Piece of Mind)
1.39 - Murders in the Rue Morgue (Killers)
1.41 - Dance of Death (Dance of Death)
1.42 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.42 - Blood Brothers (Brave New World)
1.42 - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.43 - Dream of Mirrors (Brave New World)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.48 - The Prisoner (The Number of the Beast)
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)
1.64 - 22, Acacia Avenue (The Number of the Beast)
1.64 - Stranger in a Strange Land (Somewhere in Time)
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)
1.79 - The Nomad (Brave New World)
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)
2.31 - The Evil That Men Do (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
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 - Empire of the Clouds (The Book of Souls)
n/a - If Eternity Should Fail (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 Book of Souls (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)
0.20 - Hallowed Be Thy Name (The Number of the Beast)
0.25 - The Number of the Beast (The Number of the Beast)
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)
0.37 - Phantom of the Opera (Iron Maiden)
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)
0.46 - Rainmaker (Dance of Death)
0.46 - Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Powerslave)
0.46 - These Colours Don't Run (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.48 - Ghost of the Navigator (Brave New World)
0.50 - Alexander the Great (Somewhere in Time)
0.53 - Lord of Light (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.53 - Revelations (Piece of Mind)
0.54 - El Dorado (The Final Frontier)
0.55 - Prowler (Iron Maiden)
0.55 - The Man Who Would Be King (The Final Frontier)
0.56 - Starblind (The Final Frontier)
0.58 - Afraid to Shoot Strangers (Fear of the Dark)
0.58 - Fear of the Dark (Fear of the Dark)
0.58 - The Talisman (The Final Frontier)
0.60 - Flash of the Blade (Powerslave)
0.62 - Remember Tomorrow (Iron Maiden)
0.66 - Deja Vu (Somewhere in Time)
0.66 - Paschendale (Dance of Death)
0.68 - Invaders (The Number of the Beast)
0.69 - Aces High (Powerslave)
0.70 - Montsegur (Dance of Death)
0.70 - The Prophecy (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.74 - The Legacy (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.76 - Fates Warning (No Prayer For the Dying)
0.76 - The Trooper (Piece of Mind)
0.78 - The Mercenary (Brave New World)
0.80 - 2 Minutes to Midnight (Powerslave)
0.80 - Can I Play With Madness? (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.80 - Infinite Dreams (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
0.81 - Another Life (Killers)
0.85 - The Pilgrim (A Matter of Life and Death)
0.86 - Powerslave (Powerslave)
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)
0.91 - For the Greater Good of God (A Matter of Life and Death)
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)
0.94 - Sign of the Cross (The X Factor)
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)
1.06 - Brave New World (Brave New World)
1.08 - Como Estais Amigos (Virtual XI)
1.10 - Killers (Killers)
1.10 - Moonchild (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.10 - Sea of Madness (Somewhere in Time)
1.13 - Caught Somewhere in Time (Somewhere in Time)
1.15 - Mother Russia (No Prayer For the Dying)
1.18 - The Wicker Man (Brave New World)
1.20 - Wasted Years (Somewhere in Time)
1.22 - Wrathchild (Killers)
1.22 - When the Wild Wind Blows (The Final Frontier)
1.23 - Fortunes of War (The X Factor)
1.24 - Children of the Damned (The Number of the Beast)
1.24 - Face in the Sand (Dance of Death)
1.24 - Where Eagles Dare (Piece of Mind)
1.26 - No More Lies (Dance of Death)
1.29 - Gangland (The Number of the Beast)
1.31 - Futureal (Virtual XI)
1.33 - Still Life (Piece of Mind)
1.34 - The Clansman (Virtual XI)
1.36 - To Tame a Land (Piece of Mind)
1.39 - Murders in the Rue Morgue (Killers)
1.41 - Dance of Death (Dance of Death)
1.42 - The Longest Day (A Matter of Life and Death)
1.42 - Blood Brothers (Brave New World)
1.42 - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
1.43 - Dream of Mirrors (Brave New World)
1.45 - When Two Worlds Collide (Virtual XI)
1.46 - Childhood's End (Fear of the Dark)
1.46 - Running Free (Iron Maiden)
1.48 - The Prisoner (The Number of the Beast)
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)
1.64 - 22, Acacia Avenue (The Number of the Beast)
1.64 - Stranger in a Strange Land (Somewhere in Time)
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)
1.79 - The Nomad (Brave New World)
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)
2.31 - The Evil That Men Do (Seventh Son of a Seventh Son)
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 - Empire of the Clouds (The Book of Souls)
n/a - If Eternity Should Fail (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 Book of Souls (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
Iron Maiden 9/9 Top 10: 9 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 15 Top 100: 33
Average Rating: 7.33 Average Deviation: 1.50 Trophy Points: 161 TPPSY: 1.99
Killers 11/11 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 10 Top 50: 20 Top 100: 41
Average Rating: 7.84 Average Deviation: 1.61 Trophy Points: 141 TPPSY: 1.42
The Number of the Beast 9/9 Top 10: 11 Top 25: 14 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 8.26 Average Deviation: 0.95 Trophy Points: 215 TPPSY: 2.65
Piece of Mind 9/9 Top 10: 14 Top 25: 13 Top 50: 18 Top 100: 19
Average Rating: 8.31 Average Deviation: 0.99 Trophy Points: 247 TPPSY: 3.05
Powerslave 8/8 Top 10: 20 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Average Rating: 8.56 Average Deviation: 1.25 Trophy Points: 273 TPPSY: 3.79
Somewhere in Time 8/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 6 Top 50: 24 Top 100: 35
Average Rating: 8.44 Average Deviation: 1.01 Trophy Points: 127 TPPSY: 1.76
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 8/8 Top 10: 11 Top 25: 16 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 27
Average Rating: 8.54 Average Deviation: 1.28 Trophy Points: 227 TPPSY: 3.15
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 Trophy Points: 41 TPPSY: 0.45
Fear of the Dark 12/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 28
Average Rating: 6.53 Average Deviation: 1.95 Trophy Points: 80 TPPSY: 0.74
The X Factor 11/11 Top 10: 6 Top 25: 10 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 49
Average Rating: 7.89 Average Deviation: 193 Trophy Points: 165 TPPSY: 1.67
Virtual XI 8/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 9 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 14
Average Rating: 7.48 Average Deviation: 2.07 Trophy Points: 68 TPPSY: 0.76
Brave New World 10/10 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 19 Top 50: 28 Top 100: 25
Average Rating: 8.29 Average Deviation: 1.12 Trophy Points: 177 TPPSY: 1.97
Dance of Death 11/11 Top 10: 12 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 40
Average Rating: 7.73 Average Deviation: 1.47 Trophy Points: 206 TPPSY: 2.08
A Matter of Life and Death 10/10 Top 10: 3 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 23 Top 100: 24
Average Rating: 8.15 Average Deviation: 0.79 Trophy Points: 79 TPPSY: 2.13
The Final Frontier 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 5 Top 50: 14 Top 100: 31
Average Rating: 8.20 Average Deviation: 0.64 Trophy Points: 79 TPPSY: 0.88
The Book of Souls 11/11 Top 10: 1 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6
Average Rating: 8.08 Average Deviation: n/a Trophy Points: 24 TPPSY: 2.18
Average Rating: 7.33 Average Deviation: 1.50 Trophy Points: 161 TPPSY: 1.99
Killers 11/11 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 10 Top 50: 20 Top 100: 41
Average Rating: 7.84 Average Deviation: 1.61 Trophy Points: 141 TPPSY: 1.42
The Number of the Beast 9/9 Top 10: 11 Top 25: 14 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 23
Average Rating: 8.26 Average Deviation: 0.95 Trophy Points: 215 TPPSY: 2.65
Piece of Mind 9/9 Top 10: 14 Top 25: 13 Top 50: 18 Top 100: 19
Average Rating: 8.31 Average Deviation: 0.99 Trophy Points: 247 TPPSY: 3.05
Powerslave 8/8 Top 10: 20 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 21
Average Rating: 8.56 Average Deviation: 1.25 Trophy Points: 273 TPPSY: 3.79
Somewhere in Time 8/8 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 6 Top 50: 24 Top 100: 35
Average Rating: 8.44 Average Deviation: 1.01 Trophy Points: 127 TPPSY: 1.76
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son 8/8 Top 10: 11 Top 25: 16 Top 50: 13 Top 100: 27
Average Rating: 8.54 Average Deviation: 1.28 Trophy Points: 227 TPPSY: 3.15
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 Trophy Points: 41 TPPSY: 0.45
Fear of the Dark 12/12 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 12 Top 100: 28
Average Rating: 6.53 Average Deviation: 1.95 Trophy Points: 80 TPPSY: 0.74
The X Factor 11/11 Top 10: 6 Top 25: 10 Top 50: 8 Top 100: 49
Average Rating: 7.89 Average Deviation: 193 Trophy Points: 165 TPPSY: 1.67
Virtual XI 8/8 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 9 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 14
Average Rating: 7.48 Average Deviation: 2.07 Trophy Points: 68 TPPSY: 0.76
Brave New World 10/10 Top 10: 2 Top 25: 19 Top 50: 28 Top 100: 25
Average Rating: 8.29 Average Deviation: 1.12 Trophy Points: 177 TPPSY: 1.97
Dance of Death 11/11 Top 10: 12 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 9 Top 100: 40
Average Rating: 7.73 Average Deviation: 1.47 Trophy Points: 206 TPPSY: 2.08
A Matter of Life and Death 10/10 Top 10: 3 Top 25: 7 Top 50: 23 Top 100: 24
Average Rating: 8.15 Average Deviation: 0.79 Trophy Points: 79 TPPSY: 2.13
The Final Frontier 10/10 Top 10: 0 Top 25: 5 Top 50: 14 Top 100: 31
Average Rating: 8.20 Average Deviation: 0.64 Trophy Points: 79 TPPSY: 0.88
The Book of Souls 11/11 Top 10: 1 Top 25: 2 Top 50: 0 Top 100: 6
Average Rating: 8.08 Average Deviation: n/a Trophy Points: 24 TPPSY: 2.18
Album rankings
Album ranking by song rating averaged
1 - 8.56 Powerslave
2 - 8.54 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
3 - 8.48. A Matter of Life and Death
4 - 8.44 Somewhere in Time
5 - 8.31 Piece of Mind
6 - 8.29 Brave New World
7 - 8.26 The Number of the Beast
8 - 8.20 The Final Frontier
9 - 8.08 The Book of Souls
10 - 7.89 The X Factor
11 - 7.88 Iron Maiden
12 - 7.84 Killers
13 - 7.73 Dance of Death
14 - 7.48 Virtual XI
15 - 6.67 No Prayer For the Dying
16 - 6.53 Fear of the Dark
Album ranking by average song deviance
Album ranking by total Trophy Points
1 - 8.56 Powerslave
2 - 8.54 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
3 - 8.48. A Matter of Life and Death
4 - 8.44 Somewhere in Time
5 - 8.31 Piece of Mind
6 - 8.29 Brave New World
7 - 8.26 The Number of the Beast
8 - 8.20 The Final Frontier
9 - 8.08 The Book of Souls
10 - 7.89 The X Factor
11 - 7.88 Iron Maiden
12 - 7.84 Killers
13 - 7.73 Dance of Death
14 - 7.48 Virtual XI
15 - 6.67 No Prayer For the Dying
16 - 6.53 Fear of the Dark
Album ranking by average song deviance
- 0.64 The Final Frontier
- 0.79 A Matter of Life and Death
- 0.95 The Number of the Beast
- 0.99 Piece of Mind
- 1.01 Somewhere in Time
- 1.12 Brave New World
- 1.25 Powerslave
- 1.28 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
- 1.47 Dance of Death
- 1.50 Iron Maiden
- 1.61 Killers
- 1.93 The X Factor
- 1.95 Fear of the Dark
- 2.07 Virtual XI
- 2.11 No Prayer For the Dying
Album ranking by total Trophy Points
- 273 Powerslave
- 247 Piece of Mind
- 227 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
- 215 The Number of the Beast
- 206 Dance of Death
- 177 Brave New World
- 165 The X Factor
- 161 Iron Maiden
- 128 A Matter of Life and Death
- 127 Somewhere in Time
- 141 Killers
- 80 Fear of the Dark
- 79 The Final Frontier
- 68 Virtual XI
- 41 No Prayer For the Dying
- 24 The Book of Souls
- 3.79 Powerslave
- 3.15 Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
- 3.05 Piece of Mind
- 2.65 The Number of the Beast
- 2.18 The Book of Souls
- 2.13 A Matter of Life and Death
- 2.08 Dance of Death
- 1.99 Iron Maiden
- 1.97 Brave New World
- 1.76 Somewhere in Time
- 1.67 The X Factor
- 1.58 The Final Frontier
- 1.42 Killers
- 0.76 Virtual XI
- 0.74 Fear of the Dark
- 0.45 No Prayer For the Dying
155: The Apparition (Fear of the Dark)
Average score: 3.95/10 Deviation 1.68
Fear of the Dark 1/12
Kicking off our list is the song that some defend, but most despise. Silly verses sung in an odd cadence without much in the way of interesting music or an engaging guitar solo, this song seems to epitomize early-90s Iron Maiden, and, spoiler alert, it’s not a good taster. Was there ever a doubt that this song would be the lowest ranked of them all?
Choice comments:
Well, it's one of my least favourites in their entire catalogue.
this is a very un-typical maiden song with a different style, and does lack some of the things we see in most maiden songs (emotion, power, etc.)
Cool is that Janick uses a wah for the one and only time on a Maiden album.
I just love Bruce's vocal performance on it and the instrumental parts are quite enjoyable to me.
Not a very good song, this is really the only one Maiden has ever done that I wish has never been released.
1/10 from me, and that's generous.
It's one of only 5 Maiden songs I flat out hate. I don't like anything about this song whatsoever. Atrocious.
where is a puke smiley when you need one?
With The Apparition Maiden daringly, and successfully, attempted to write a song with no tune.
It sure is lonely liking this song.
I've recently gave this song another shot and I must say I kinda like it. I really like the lyrics, and the instrumental section, not the easiest song to get into.
The lyrics are obnoxious, the vocal melody absurd, and the music is just boring and trite.
Of all the bad songs on this album, I don't think this one deserves to be singled out. It's another example of Maiden doing something different.
Statistics (some notes on stats are in here, will not be repeated throughout)
Notes on rankings & ratings:
2004 was the first year I recorded Maidenfans.com statistics. Somehow, the stats for No More Lies were lost, so this year is scored out of 123 instead of 124.
The 2006 rankings were taken before the release of A Matter of Life and Death.
The 2012 rankings are taken from a Head to Head tournament, which is why they do not have accompanying ratings.
All ratings before 2014 were originally scored on a 5 star system, but had half star options. Since 2014, we have used a 1-10 system. I have adjusted the old scores to the new scale, which is why they all end in even numbers.
The polls were reset in 2008, 2011, and 2016. Original polls were taken from the Iron Maiden Commentary, and then I instituted new polls in 2008; switched when the forum software changed in 2011, and then wiped the scores in 2016 for the last time.
There are no tiebreakers.
Yearly rankings & ratings
2004: 123/123, 4.00
2005: 121/124 +2; 4.88 +0.88
2006: 118/124 +3; 5.00 +0.12
2008: 131/134 -13; 4.86 -0.14
2011: 144/144 -13; 3.32 -1.54
2012: 144/144 NC
2014: 144/144 NC; 3.57 +0.25
2015: 144/144 NC; 3.87 +0.30
2016: 155/155 -11; 3.33 -0.54
Song deviance (least to greatest)
1.68 - The Apparition
2004 was the first year I recorded Maidenfans.com statistics. Somehow, the stats for No More Lies were lost, so this year is scored out of 123 instead of 124.
The 2006 rankings were taken before the release of A Matter of Life and Death.
The 2012 rankings are taken from a Head to Head tournament, which is why they do not have accompanying ratings.
All ratings before 2014 were originally scored on a 5 star system, but had half star options. Since 2014, we have used a 1-10 system. I have adjusted the old scores to the new scale, which is why they all end in even numbers.
The polls were reset in 2008, 2011, and 2016. Original polls were taken from the Iron Maiden Commentary, and then I instituted new polls in 2008; switched when the forum software changed in 2011, and then wiped the scores in 2016 for the last time.
There are no tiebreakers.
Yearly rankings & ratings
2004: 123/123, 4.00
2005: 121/124 +2; 4.88 +0.88
2006: 118/124 +3; 5.00 +0.12
2008: 131/134 -13; 4.86 -0.14
2011: 144/144 -13; 3.32 -1.54
2012: 144/144 NC
2014: 144/144 NC; 3.57 +0.25
2015: 144/144 NC; 3.87 +0.30
2016: 155/155 -11; 3.33 -0.54
Song deviance (least to greatest)
1.68 - The Apparition
Project notes
This project will continue at the pace I have to create the posts and get them up. I’m generally not going to make too many personal comments - I originally thought it might be fun to have writeups done, but I realized we’ve already done this! Several choice comments will be posted for every song, some of them going back over a decade.
Average ratings are determined at a rolling rate; the older the score, the less it is worth. Here's the exact formula, in case you're wondering:
=(((2004*2)*0.4)+((2005*2)*0.45)+((2006*2)*0.5)+((2008*2)*0.6)+((2011*2)*0.75)+(2014*0.9)+(2015*0.95)+(2016*1))/5.55
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