It is not without flaws, but Brave New World has gained the status of classic album in Iron Maiden’s catalog. The return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith marked the start of the band’s second golden age. Continue reading
Nicko McBrain
BEST & WORST: 2 Minutes To Midnight
It is one of the all-time greatest Iron Maiden classics, and there has been no less than seven official live versions. To celebrate Maiden’s new live album, here is the best and worst of 2 Minutes To Midnight. Continue reading
MAIDEN HISTORY: The Blaze Era part 2, 1997-1998
By the mid-1990s Iron Maiden had clearly become a diminished force, but they would gamely take another crack at rebuilding their house. With this chapter in our study of Maiden History we take a look at the making of Virtual XI and the events that led to the end of the Blaze era.
Review: Virtual XI (1998)
In trying to build the new Iron Maiden with their second Blaze Bayley album, the band unfortunately reaches the nadir of their recording history. Continue reading
Review: Best Of The Beast (1996)
Iron Maiden released their first compilation album in 1996. But did Best Of The Beast serve to capture new fans, or did it simply shed a harsh light on the state of the band in the mid-1990s? Continue reading
MAIDEN HISTORY: The Blaze Era part 1, 1994-1996
For five years in the 1990s Iron Maiden would sound and look different, lose old fans and make new ones, as they struggled to reestablish themselves with a new frontman: Blaze Bayley. With this chapter in our study of Maiden History we discuss the coming of Blaze and the making of The X Factor. Continue reading
Review: The X Factor (1995)
Two years after the departure of Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden finally returned with Blaze Bayley and The X Factor. How did Maiden adapt to one of the biggest changes and challenges of their career? Continue reading
Review: Live At Donington (1993)
Live album fatigue sets in with the third (!) concert release of 1993. But the last record out of the gate is also the best of them, for two important reasons. Continue reading
Review: A Real Dead One (1993)
The live album onslaught of 1993 continued in the fall of the year. But the production and performances of Iron Maiden at the end of the first Dickinson period do not hold up well. Continue reading
Review: A Real Live One (1993)
Eight years after the colossal Live After Death, Iron Maiden have another four studio albums to plunder for their setlist. And so they decide it is time for another live album. Here is a look back at Maiden’s controversial second concert record. Continue reading
Maiden Revelations 