Piece of Mind

Yes, its the difficult FOURTH album. Of course, that was never said about any band, but I'm pretty sure it must have crossed Maiden's minds. After the huge musical and commercial success of "Beast" there had to be some sort of reaction. It came in the form of a new drummer. Enter one Michael Henry McBrain, known to you and I as Nicko. What a start!

The opening to Where Eagles Dare is hardly the most straightforward drum riff and apparently took a great number of takes to get right.

I saw them tour this album at the Edinburgh Playhouse, probably in 1983, playing 5 of the tracks before the album had actually been released. What I remember most of the gig is Bruce Dickinson telling the tale of how they had approached Frank Herbert, the author of Dune, to call the track after the book. He refused and was promptly told to "stick it" somewhere as a 16 year old, I had no idea you could do! The song became "To Tame A Land".

So there are the two novels mentioned. Both classics and both tracks are terrific. The sleeve notes carry a sentence thanking them for "the inspiration of their works".

Also on the album a song that would become a mainstay of the Maiden live set for decades - "The Trooper". The sight of Dickinson waving a Union Jack around, while Dave Murray and Adrian Smith's guitars accompanied by the ever-superb Steve Harris on bass, slam the song at breakneck speed towards a grisly end.

While this is not a complete Maiden album (Powerslave would come next to deliver that), it is a huge success. Every member of the band leaves their mark on it. While no-one is outstripping the others, it is very much a "sum of the parts is greater" collective. I think this sums up Maiden in the best way. The artwork further enhanced the brand. Eddie in a padded cell, seemingly breaking out of his straightjacket to reach for the open door. You better watch out!

Within the gatefold, I still have the marketing item that every Maiden album had. On it you could buy membership of their fan club (do we still have those nowadays?), for the princely sum of £4. Not sure what was included, as I never joined. As a band they have always been commercially aware and even drew criticism for this, being labelled by some journalists as "Iron Maiden plc". But there is nothing wrong with growing your name and then protecting it - provided you can back up the hype!

I've seen Maiden live the most of all and in every decade since the 1980's. I can't say that I've ever been disappointed in them. They know how to put on a show and by all accounts, are improving with time. Long may they reign!

#COMEONYOUIRONS

Track Listing:

Where Eagles Dare

Revelations

Flight of Icarus

Die With Your Boots On

The Trooper

Still Life

Quest For Fire

Sun & Steel

To Tame A Land

Bruce Dickinson - Vocals

Adrian Smith - Guitars

Dave Murray - Guitars

Steve Harris - Bass Guitar

Nicko McBrain - Drums