Iron Maiden - Somewhere In Time(1986)

Track Listing:

1. Caught Somewhere In Time
2. Wasted Years
3. Sea Of Madness
4. Heaven Can Wait
5. The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner
6. Stranger In A Strange Land
7. Deja-Vu
8. Alexander The Great

Lineup:

• Bruce Dickinson
• Dave Murray
• Adrian Smith
• Steve Harris
• Nicko McBrain

To me the most progressive album maiden have done till date. a lot of people tend to say that the 1988 opus, Seventh son, was the most progressive, but this album kinda started it. the sound for one, was very, futuristic. a listen to the opening masterpiece, 'caught somewhere in time' transports the listener to an arctic wasteland. the riffs seem to have that freeze, it still manages to chill my spine whenever i listen to it even now.

'wasted years' probably most maiden fans favorite song, the opening riff inspired hordes of present guitarists the world over. 'sea of madness' are maiden at their musical apex. a very complex arranged song, Harris seemed to push his composing writings to the limit.

those who have seen the music video for 'stranger in a strange land' can relate to the fact that adrian smith is one of the best guitarists who plays with a lot of feel. even the great JOHN PETRUCCI is a long time fan of his vibrato technique.

one really wonders why a great song like 'deja vu' never quite made it to their live shows. the shortest song in the album, played brilliantly, with its epic sounding slow intro, you just wait for it to explode , and go into overdrive

maiden go into story telling mode with their last song on the album 'alexander the great' & you realize that they are such a well read band. all their songs on war are based on actual facts in history, on should think they should have opted for teaching at the local university. glad they didnt.
the whole album is a great feel, & for once, even dave plays with a lot of heart. melody is in abundance & so is the virtuosity.

my rating
9.9/10

review by Pritham 'Metal farmer' D'Souza