Tournament of Iron Maiden Solos: 2nd poll (qualification stage)
- Thread starter Forostar
- Start date
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Older entries:
New:
5. Stranger in a Strange Land
4. Prodigal Son
Two atmospheric solos, showing what Adrian can do when playing slow. Stranger is very known and much has been said about it in the past. Flash gave an accurate description of it, earlier in this topic. But I think Prodigal Son is quite overlooked (at least in this topic). A superb showcase of feeling and melody. Unfortunately, this is the only song from Killers (and the "Di'Anno era"-albums) that was never played live.
When we went through all Maiden solos in 2010 (winter and spring), to see which were the favourites from this board, Prodigal Son ended up in the final fourteen and it came out at place number 7! I must add that only one solo per album went to the final, but -next to all songs from Killers, of course- it beat all solos from The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, all nineties albums and A Matter of Life and Death.
10. The Ides of March
Entrez, Adrian Smith! We're not only talking about the the first solo from the Killers album, but it's also Adrian's first ever solo that landed on Maiden vinyl. I like the playful character of it, with its well placed pauses. It has some longer and bright, high notes as well. The solo isn't very long, but it's worked out neatly.
9. Only the Good Die Young
Quite a special and technical solo. Adrian does some very fast runs, going with lightning speed to the higher and lower realms of the fretboard. I love those muted parts and sudden intervals, as only he can do in his typical style (listen to the second quarter). The solo has a bit of an evil vibe to it, fitting well with the mystical atmosphere of the music and lyrics.
8. The Trooper
Very melodic solo. I like the beginning, going straight away in for the kill with the long high notes, and then descending to the 2nd rock and roll(!) quarter. Not the biggest fan of the 3rd (fast and not too well executed repetition of high patterns) but he ends nice with the harmony.
7. Still Life
Beforehand I hadn't taken into account with this solo at all. But it's really great. There's this unusual laid back feeling. It's like Adrian is really playing (it even sounds a bit like improvising) with the opportunities he has. Lots of ease is shining from this solo. Like you can feel that he can do many different things. He starts with a swinging first quarter with lots of feel. The second quarter has a short start, a mini pause, followed by a fast run. In the third quarter he bends nicely and high, goes fast again and then he descends beautifully to the end. The more I am writing about it, the more I wonder if it shouldn't be higher.
6. Quest for Fire
Again a Piece of Mind solo. On this album, Adrian really was in a great soloing vibe. Martin Birch captured it well and gave him an awesome sound. It sounds a zillion times better than on the previous album. But Adrian also performs better. Better ideas, better execution. Quest for Fire has a very short and not too complicated solo.
What I like is that it is catchy and raw at the same time. Rock and roll! You can feel that vibration in his sound and hear the aggression in his playing. Check how he rams that first chord in the 2nd quarter and you know what I mean.
Entrez, Adrian Smith! We're not only talking about the the first solo from the Killers album, but it's also Adrian's first ever solo that landed on Maiden vinyl. I like the playful character of it, with its well placed pauses. It has some longer and bright, high notes as well. The solo isn't very long, but it's worked out neatly.
9. Only the Good Die Young
Quite a special and technical solo. Adrian does some very fast runs, going with lightning speed to the higher and lower realms of the fretboard. I love those muted parts and sudden intervals, as only he can do in his typical style (listen to the second quarter). The solo has a bit of an evil vibe to it, fitting well with the mystical atmosphere of the music and lyrics.
8. The Trooper
Very melodic solo. I like the beginning, going straight away in for the kill with the long high notes, and then descending to the 2nd rock and roll(!) quarter. Not the biggest fan of the 3rd (fast and not too well executed repetition of high patterns) but he ends nice with the harmony.
7. Still Life
Beforehand I hadn't taken into account with this solo at all. But it's really great. There's this unusual laid back feeling. It's like Adrian is really playing (it even sounds a bit like improvising) with the opportunities he has. Lots of ease is shining from this solo. Like you can feel that he can do many different things. He starts with a swinging first quarter with lots of feel. The second quarter has a short start, a mini pause, followed by a fast run. In the third quarter he bends nicely and high, goes fast again and then he descends beautifully to the end. The more I am writing about it, the more I wonder if it shouldn't be higher.
6. Quest for Fire
Again a Piece of Mind solo. On this album, Adrian really was in a great soloing vibe. Martin Birch captured it well and gave him an awesome sound. It sounds a zillion times better than on the previous album. But Adrian also performs better. Better ideas, better execution. Quest for Fire has a very short and not too complicated solo.
What I like is that it is catchy and raw at the same time. Rock and roll! You can feel that vibration in his sound and hear the aggression in his playing. Check how he rams that first chord in the 2nd quarter and you know what I mean.
5. Stranger in a Strange Land
4. Prodigal Son
Two atmospheric solos, showing what Adrian can do when playing slow. Stranger is very known and much has been said about it in the past. Flash gave an accurate description of it, earlier in this topic. But I think Prodigal Son is quite overlooked (at least in this topic). A superb showcase of feeling and melody. Unfortunately, this is the only song from Killers (and the "Di'Anno era"-albums) that was never played live.
When we went through all Maiden solos in 2010 (winter and spring), to see which were the favourites from this board, Prodigal Son ended up in the final fourteen and it came out at place number 7! I must add that only one solo per album went to the final, but -next to all songs from Killers, of course- it beat all solos from The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, all nineties albums and A Matter of Life and Death.
CriedWhenBrucieLeft
Meme Only Account
I've genuinely forgotten --have you finished Janick, nearly finished Adrian, & not started Dave? 
CriedWhenBrucieLeft
Meme Only Account
Forostar --what was the forum's final solo order (top 50 or whatever), back in 2010? Do you have the link?
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
It went a bit different. We did all fourteen albums (it was before The Final Frontier was out) and from each the song with the most votes went to the final.
Prodigal Son won its album round with a big difference:
http://forum.maidenfans.com/threads...r-favourite-guitar-solo-s-on-2-killers.19191/
And it landed in the final. There it was beaten by six other songs:
http://forum.maidenfans.com/threads...favourite-guitar-solo-s-final-fourteen.19448/
This was the Somewhere in Time round:
http://forum.maidenfans.com/threads...e-guitar-solo-s-on-6-somewhere-in-time.19251/
SIASL won with a minor difference from CSIT.
Prodigal Son won its album round with a big difference:
http://forum.maidenfans.com/threads...r-favourite-guitar-solo-s-on-2-killers.19191/
And it landed in the final. There it was beaten by six other songs:
http://forum.maidenfans.com/threads...favourite-guitar-solo-s-final-fourteen.19448/
This was the Somewhere in Time round:
http://forum.maidenfans.com/threads...e-guitar-solo-s-on-6-somewhere-in-time.19251/
SIASL won with a minor difference from CSIT.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Older entries:
New:
3. Caught Somewhere in Time
I am a big fan of Sara's solo descriptions, especially one that I will use for this occasion:
10. The Ides of March
Entrez, Adrian Smith! We're not only talking about the the first solo from the Killers album, but it's also Adrian's first ever solo that landed on Maiden vinyl. I like the playful character of it, with its well placed pauses. It has some longer and bright, high notes as well. The solo isn't very long, but it's worked out neatly.
9. Only the Good Die Young
Quite a special and technical solo. Adrian does some very fast runs, going with lightning speed to the higher and lower realms of the fretboard. I love those muted parts and sudden intervals, as only he can do in his typical style (listen to the second quarter). The solo has a bit of an evil vibe to it, fitting well with the mystical atmosphere of the music and lyrics.
8. The Trooper
Very melodic solo. I like the beginning, going straight away in for the kill with the long high notes, and then descending to the 2nd rock and roll(!) quarter. Not the biggest fan of the 3rd (fast and not too well executed repetition of high patterns) but he ends nice with the harmony.
7. Still Life
Beforehand I hadn't taken into account with this solo at all. But it's really great. There's this unusual laid back feeling. It's like Adrian is really playing (it even sounds a bit like improvising) with the opportunities he has. Lots of ease is shining from this solo. Like you can feel that he can do many different things. He starts with a swinging first quarter with lots of feel. The second quarter has a short start, a mini pause, followed by a fast run. In the third quarter he bends nicely and high, goes fast again and then he descends beautifully to the end. The more I am writing about it, the more I wonder if it shouldn't be higher.
6. Quest for Fire
Again a Piece of Mind solo. On this album, Adrian really was in a great soloing vibe. Martin Birch captured it well and gave him an awesome sound. It sounds a zillion times better than on the previous album. But Adrian also performs better. Better ideas, better execution. Quest for Fire has a very short and not too complicated solo.
What I like is that it is catchy and raw at the same time. Rock and roll! You can feel that vibration in his sound and hear the aggression in his playing. Check how he rams that first chord in the 2nd quarter and you know what I mean.
5. Stranger in a Strange Land
4. Prodigal Son
Two atmospheric solos, showing what Adrian can do when playing slow. Stranger is very known and much has been said about it in the past. Flash gave an accurate description of it, earlier in this topic. But I think Prodigal Son is quite overlooked (at least in this topic). A superb showcase of feeling and melody. Unfortunately, this is the only song from Killers (and the "Di'Anno era"-albums) that was never played live.
When we went through all Maiden solos in 2010 (winter and spring), to see which were the favourites from this board, Prodigal Son ended up in the final fourteen and it came out at place number 7! I must add that only one solo per album went to the final, but -next to all songs from Killers, of course- it beat all solos from The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, all nineties albums and A Matter of Life and Death.
Entrez, Adrian Smith! We're not only talking about the the first solo from the Killers album, but it's also Adrian's first ever solo that landed on Maiden vinyl. I like the playful character of it, with its well placed pauses. It has some longer and bright, high notes as well. The solo isn't very long, but it's worked out neatly.
9. Only the Good Die Young
Quite a special and technical solo. Adrian does some very fast runs, going with lightning speed to the higher and lower realms of the fretboard. I love those muted parts and sudden intervals, as only he can do in his typical style (listen to the second quarter). The solo has a bit of an evil vibe to it, fitting well with the mystical atmosphere of the music and lyrics.
8. The Trooper
Very melodic solo. I like the beginning, going straight away in for the kill with the long high notes, and then descending to the 2nd rock and roll(!) quarter. Not the biggest fan of the 3rd (fast and not too well executed repetition of high patterns) but he ends nice with the harmony.
7. Still Life
Beforehand I hadn't taken into account with this solo at all. But it's really great. There's this unusual laid back feeling. It's like Adrian is really playing (it even sounds a bit like improvising) with the opportunities he has. Lots of ease is shining from this solo. Like you can feel that he can do many different things. He starts with a swinging first quarter with lots of feel. The second quarter has a short start, a mini pause, followed by a fast run. In the third quarter he bends nicely and high, goes fast again and then he descends beautifully to the end. The more I am writing about it, the more I wonder if it shouldn't be higher.
6. Quest for Fire
Again a Piece of Mind solo. On this album, Adrian really was in a great soloing vibe. Martin Birch captured it well and gave him an awesome sound. It sounds a zillion times better than on the previous album. But Adrian also performs better. Better ideas, better execution. Quest for Fire has a very short and not too complicated solo.
What I like is that it is catchy and raw at the same time. Rock and roll! You can feel that vibration in his sound and hear the aggression in his playing. Check how he rams that first chord in the 2nd quarter and you know what I mean.
5. Stranger in a Strange Land
4. Prodigal Son
Two atmospheric solos, showing what Adrian can do when playing slow. Stranger is very known and much has been said about it in the past. Flash gave an accurate description of it, earlier in this topic. But I think Prodigal Son is quite overlooked (at least in this topic). A superb showcase of feeling and melody. Unfortunately, this is the only song from Killers (and the "Di'Anno era"-albums) that was never played live.
When we went through all Maiden solos in 2010 (winter and spring), to see which were the favourites from this board, Prodigal Son ended up in the final fourteen and it came out at place number 7! I must add that only one solo per album went to the final, but -next to all songs from Killers, of course- it beat all solos from The Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, all nineties albums and A Matter of Life and Death.
3. Caught Somewhere in Time
I am a big fan of Sara's solo descriptions, especially one that I will use for this occasion:
On the order of the last two, I honestly can't make up my mind yet. To be continued.9. Caught Somewhere In Time (4:05 - 4:50)
Although Davey also plays a great solo in this one, H totally upstages him with a towering display of guitar wizadry and theatrics that's almost like fireworks going off inside my speakers! The solo itself starts off with some great harmonic tricks, and then gradually builds in tension as it nears it's conclusion. The tapping and divebombing during the solo's final section is simply breathtaking, and finishes off an amazing solo in spectacular style!
CriedWhenBrucieLeft
Meme Only Account
Try & get this done before Maiden retire will you Forostar... 
Crimson Idol
Caveman
It would also be advised to get it done before the next album, or you might have more solo's to add to the list!
CriedWhenBrucieLeft
Meme Only Account
Indeed --get on it Forostar! You've probably got about two years to get it finished...
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
This took long because I couldn't decide and I wasn't sure about what to write. These two solos are so impressive that I find them quite equal and it depends a bit on the mood I am in. I guess some (if not most) of you have already guessed, these solos are Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Sea of Madness.
2. Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Very exciting solo, full of drama. It fits so well to the climactic mid peace of Maiden's adventurous and dark epic. We really should put it in its whole context to appreciate it better: The part in which Bruce sings is suspenseful, the "Rain" brings "release", then we get a change in tone and atmosphere and the solo is a perfect statement of determination and it has an edge of resilience: This is how the story continues.
One of Adrian's best qualities comes forward here: the long notes. The way he presses these notes make him so recognizable. The build-up is a patient one, slowly going to the higher realms of his guitar. The end is fantastic, with piercing, fast and high notes, before he gives the stick to Dave, by providing him his first note, by sharing his own last.
1. Sea of Madness
There are two shorter solos later on which are worth mentioning, but now I'll just focus on the main one:
This solo may not be as exciting in the way Rime's is, but it touches me deep in the heart. It is emotional and very melancholic. I am a sensitive dude, and this is a sensitive song and solo, so that certainly plays a part. Back to the solo. It starts a bit in the way Rime's does, but there are quicker coverings of the guitar neck, resulting in mind-blowing patterns. I am not an expert when it comes to guitar technique, but I think there's some shredding going on, but it's done very melodically. The speed of these notes don't put me off. On the contrary: they race in brilliant melody. The end is just magic, the best end of all Maiden solos. What a feel, both for the playing but also for choosing that note.
2. Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Very exciting solo, full of drama. It fits so well to the climactic mid peace of Maiden's adventurous and dark epic. We really should put it in its whole context to appreciate it better: The part in which Bruce sings is suspenseful, the "Rain" brings "release", then we get a change in tone and atmosphere and the solo is a perfect statement of determination and it has an edge of resilience: This is how the story continues.
One of Adrian's best qualities comes forward here: the long notes. The way he presses these notes make him so recognizable. The build-up is a patient one, slowly going to the higher realms of his guitar. The end is fantastic, with piercing, fast and high notes, before he gives the stick to Dave, by providing him his first note, by sharing his own last.
1. Sea of Madness
There are two shorter solos later on which are worth mentioning, but now I'll just focus on the main one:
This solo may not be as exciting in the way Rime's is, but it touches me deep in the heart. It is emotional and very melancholic. I am a sensitive dude, and this is a sensitive song and solo, so that certainly plays a part. Back to the solo. It starts a bit in the way Rime's does, but there are quicker coverings of the guitar neck, resulting in mind-blowing patterns. I am not an expert when it comes to guitar technique, but I think there's some shredding going on, but it's done very melodically. The speed of these notes don't put me off. On the contrary: they race in brilliant melody. The end is just magic, the best end of all Maiden solos. What a feel, both for the playing but also for choosing that note.
Last edited:
CriedWhenBrucieLeft
Meme Only Account
Awww, great choice(s) Forostar! I recall you mentioning a liking for Sea of Madness before; & Adrian does indeed do some lovely stuff on this track. There's that decent live footage of it as well, where he pretty much nails it. It's been posted before I'm sure...
Moon Child
Ancient Mariner
Would this happen to be the video Foro posted back on page 9?
Moon Child
Ancient Mariner
Thought so. That's really the only decent live footage of that song and Adrian does certainly sound amazing on it (not that he doesn't any other time ).
).
He finished it! Nice one. Have you done a Dave top ten yet, Foro?
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Thanks, Brig!
No, working on it. Bound to be done before the new album is out.
I am still listening to all the solos (I am somewhere in the nineties now) and so does a mate of mine. He also did an Adrian top 10 and this is his:
10. Starblind (3rd solo)
09. Different World
08. Brighter than a Thousand Suns
07. Die With Your Boots On
06. The Trooper
05. Sea of Madness
04. Wasted Years
03. Caught Somewhere in Time
02. Flight of Icarus
01. Stranger in a Strange Land
No, working on it. Bound to be done before the new album is out.
I am still listening to all the solos (I am somewhere in the nineties now) and so does a mate of mine. He also did an Adrian top 10 and this is his:
10. Starblind (3rd solo)
09. Different World
08. Brighter than a Thousand Suns
07. Die With Your Boots On
06. The Trooper
05. Sea of Madness
04. Wasted Years
03. Caught Somewhere in Time
02. Flight of Icarus
01. Stranger in a Strange Land