In February 1999, Bayley left the band by mutual consent. At the same time, the band shocked their fans when they announced that both Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith were rejoining the band, and that Janick Gers would remain. Iron Maiden now had three guitarists and a successful reunion tour followed. This tour also supported the band's newly released computer game Ed Hunter.
Brave New World
Iron Maiden's first studio work after the reunion with Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith came in the form of 2000's Brave New World. The album was met with much critical acclaim. Thematic influences continued with "The Wicker Man" - based on the 1973 British cult film of the same name, and "Brave New World" - based on the novel of the same name.
The world tour that followed consisted of well over 100 dates, and culminated on 19 January 2001 with a show at the Rock in Rio festival in Brazil, where Iron Maiden played to a crowd of 250,000. This performance was recorded and subsequently released on CD and DVD in March 2002 under the name Rock in Rio.
Dance of Death
In 2003, Iron Maiden released Dance of Death. As usual, historical and literary influences continued - "Montsegur" in particular being about the Cathar stronghold conquered in 1244 and Paschendale relating to a significant battle during World War I.
Their performance at Westfalenhalle stadium in Germany, as part of the supporting tour, was recorded and released in August 2005 as a live album and DVD, entitled Death on the Road.
In 2005, the band announced a tour to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the release of their first album, Iron Maiden, and the 30th anniversary of their formation. The tour also was in support of the 2004 DVD entitled The Early Days and as such during the tour they only played material from their first four albums. As part of the celebration of their early days, the "Number of the Beast" single was re-released, which went straight to number 3 in the UK Singles Chart.
At Iron Maiden's last Ozzfest performance (August 20, 2005 at the Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen in San Bernardino, CA), Sharon Osbourne interrupted their performance by turning off the PA system and chanting.
The band completed this tour by headlining the Reading and Leeds weekend festivals on the 26th and 28th August 2005. For the second time, the band played a charity show for former drummer Clive Burr's Clive Burr MS Trust Fund charity.
A Matter of Life and Death
A Matter of Life and Death album cover
In November 2006, Iron Maiden and manager Rod Smallwood announced that they were cutting off their 27 year old ties with Sanctuary Music and have started a new company named Phantom Music Management.
In Autumn 2006 Iron Maiden released A Matter of Life and Death. While the album is not a concept album, war and religion are recurring themes in the lyrics throughout, as well as in the album's artwork.
A successful North American and European tour followed, during which they played the album in its entirety, a first for the band. The band have announced that a live album recorded from this tour will be released.[citation needed]
In 2007, the band confirmed several major festival appearances across the world for the year to form the second leg of the A Matter of Life and Death tour. These include performances at the Dubai Desert Rock Festival, Eddfest, Download Festival, Heineken Jammin Festival, Fields Of Rock Festival, Graspop Metal Meeting and Bilbao BBK Live Festival.[32] They have also scheduled concerts in countries such as India, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Germany. The main leg of the tour has been renamed "The Matter of the Beast", to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Number of the Beast album. The band will play 5 songs from A Matter of Life and Death and 5 from The Number of the Beast as part of their live set for the tour. On the 24th of May they announced that as a grand finale to their festival/stadium summer tour, they will perform a special one-off performance at London's Brixton Academy on Sunday 24th June in aid of The Clive Burr MS Trust fund, the support for this performance is once again Steve's daughter Lauren Harris and an eight piece Indian Rock act called Parikrama, who came to the band's attention when they supported Maiden in Bangalore in March, and will be the first time an Indian rock band have toured the UK.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Winds of change (1995–1999)
The band auditioned hundreds of vocalists, both unknown and famous. They finally chose Blaze Bayley in 1994, formerly of Wolfsbane. Bayley had an altogether different style to his predecessor, which ultimately received a mixed reception among fans.
The X Factor
After what had been a three year hiatus, the band returned in 1995 with the album The X Factor. Chief songwriter Steve Harris was experiencing personal problems at the time with the break-up of his marriage, and many feel the album's sound is a reflection of this.[citation needed]
Notable songs included the 11-minute epic "Sign of the Cross", "Lord of the Flies", "Man on the Edge" - based on the movie Falling Down, and "The Edge of Darkness" - based on the movie Apocalypse Now.
Virtual XI
The band spent most of 1996 on the road before returning to the studio for Virtual XI, released in 1998. Chart positions of the album were lower, failing to reach the one million mark in worldwide sales for the first time in Iron Maiden's histor
The X Factor
After what had been a three year hiatus, the band returned in 1995 with the album The X Factor. Chief songwriter Steve Harris was experiencing personal problems at the time with the break-up of his marriage, and many feel the album's sound is a reflection of this.[citation needed]
Notable songs included the 11-minute epic "Sign of the Cross", "Lord of the Flies", "Man on the Edge" - based on the movie Falling Down, and "The Edge of Darkness" - based on the movie Apocalypse Now.
Virtual XI
The band spent most of 1996 on the road before returning to the studio for Virtual XI, released in 1998. Chart positions of the album were lower, failing to reach the one million mark in worldwide sales for the first time in Iron Maiden's histor
Experimentation (1986–1989)
Somewhere in Time
The band adopted a different approach for their 1986 studio album, titled Somewhere in Time. This was not a concept album, though it was themed loosely around the idea of time travel. It featured, for the first time in the band's history, synthesized bass and guitars sounds to add textures and layers to the sound. Though considered different from the norm of Maiden sounds, it charted well across the world, especially with the single "Wasted Years".[citation needed]
Album art was influenced by the movie "Blade Runner".
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
This experimentation led to a more refined follow-up album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, released in 1988. Adding to Iron Maiden's experimentation, it was a concept album featuring a story about a mythical child who possessed clairvoyant powers.
For the first time, the band used keyboards on a recording, as opposed to guitar synthesisers on the previous release. Critics stated this produced a more accessible release.[25] Still, it was a huge success, and was the band's second album to hit #1 in the UK charts.
In 1989, after touring with Iron Maiden, guitarist Adrian Smith released a solo album with his band ASAP entitled Silver and Gold.
In 1990, to close Iron Maiden's first ten years of releasing singles, Iron Maiden released The First Ten Years, a series of ten CDs and double 12" vinyls. Between February 24 and April 28 1990, the individual parts were released one-by-one, and each contains two of Iron Maiden's singles, including the B-sides.
Upheaval (1990–1994)
In 1990, vocalist Bruce Dickinson launched a solo career with former Gillan guitarist Janick Gers, releasing Tattooed Millionaire.
Soon after, the band experienced its first line-up change in seven years when guitarist Adrian Smith left the band. Bruce Dickinson's solo project guitarist Janick Gers was chosen to replace Smith.
No Prayer for the Dying
In 1990 Iron Maiden released the raw sounding album No Prayer for the Dying. This album featured one last song co-written by Adrian Smith, "Hooks in You", despite Smith's having left the band prior to the recording of the album.
The band obtained their first (and to date, only) UK Singles Chart number one hit single with a cover of "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter", originally recorded by Dickinson for the movie-soundtrack to A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child. It was released on December 24, 1990, and was one of the first records to be released on several different formats with different B-sides. The single holds the record for being the fastest release straight in to number one and straight out of the charts again over the following couple of weeks.[26]
Fear of the Dark
Cover of Fear of the Dark album
Dickinson performed a solo tour in 1991 before returning to the studio with Iron Maiden for the album Fear of the Dark. Released in 1992, the album was noticeably longer and had several songs which became fan favourites, such as the title track and "Afraid to Shoot Strangers". "Wasting Love" is perhaps the band's only power ballad, and "From Here to Eternity" is the fourth segment in the 'Charlotte the Harlot' storyline.
In 1993, Bruce Dickinson left the band to further pursue his solo career. However, Bruce agreed to stay with the band for a farewell tour and two live albums (later re-released in one package). The first, A Real Live One, featured songs from 1986 to 1992, and was released in March 1993. The second, A Real Dead One, featured songs from 1975 to 1984, and was released after Bruce had left the band. He played his farewell show with Iron Maiden on August 28, 1993. The show was filmed, broadcast by the BBC, and released on video under the name Raising Hell.
The band adopted a different approach for their 1986 studio album, titled Somewhere in Time. This was not a concept album, though it was themed loosely around the idea of time travel. It featured, for the first time in the band's history, synthesized bass and guitars sounds to add textures and layers to the sound. Though considered different from the norm of Maiden sounds, it charted well across the world, especially with the single "Wasted Years".[citation needed]
Album art was influenced by the movie "Blade Runner".
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
This experimentation led to a more refined follow-up album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, released in 1988. Adding to Iron Maiden's experimentation, it was a concept album featuring a story about a mythical child who possessed clairvoyant powers.
For the first time, the band used keyboards on a recording, as opposed to guitar synthesisers on the previous release. Critics stated this produced a more accessible release.[25] Still, it was a huge success, and was the band's second album to hit #1 in the UK charts.
In 1989, after touring with Iron Maiden, guitarist Adrian Smith released a solo album with his band ASAP entitled Silver and Gold.
In 1990, to close Iron Maiden's first ten years of releasing singles, Iron Maiden released The First Ten Years, a series of ten CDs and double 12" vinyls. Between February 24 and April 28 1990, the individual parts were released one-by-one, and each contains two of Iron Maiden's singles, including the B-sides.
Upheaval (1990–1994)
In 1990, vocalist Bruce Dickinson launched a solo career with former Gillan guitarist Janick Gers, releasing Tattooed Millionaire.
Soon after, the band experienced its first line-up change in seven years when guitarist Adrian Smith left the band. Bruce Dickinson's solo project guitarist Janick Gers was chosen to replace Smith.
No Prayer for the Dying
In 1990 Iron Maiden released the raw sounding album No Prayer for the Dying. This album featured one last song co-written by Adrian Smith, "Hooks in You", despite Smith's having left the band prior to the recording of the album.
The band obtained their first (and to date, only) UK Singles Chart number one hit single with a cover of "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter", originally recorded by Dickinson for the movie-soundtrack to A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child. It was released on December 24, 1990, and was one of the first records to be released on several different formats with different B-sides. The single holds the record for being the fastest release straight in to number one and straight out of the charts again over the following couple of weeks.[26]
Fear of the Dark
Cover of Fear of the Dark album
Dickinson performed a solo tour in 1991 before returning to the studio with Iron Maiden for the album Fear of the Dark. Released in 1992, the album was noticeably longer and had several songs which became fan favourites, such as the title track and "Afraid to Shoot Strangers". "Wasting Love" is perhaps the band's only power ballad, and "From Here to Eternity" is the fourth segment in the 'Charlotte the Harlot' storyline.
In 1993, Bruce Dickinson left the band to further pursue his solo career. However, Bruce agreed to stay with the band for a farewell tour and two live albums (later re-released in one package). The first, A Real Live One, featured songs from 1986 to 1992, and was released in March 1993. The second, A Real Dead One, featured songs from 1975 to 1984, and was released after Bruce had left the band. He played his farewell show with Iron Maiden on August 28, 1993. The show was filmed, broadcast by the BBC, and released on video under the name Raising Hell.
Powerslave
Following the success of Piece of Mind, the band released Powerslave on September 9, 1984. The album featured fan-favourites "2 Minutes to Midnight", "Aces High", and "Rime of the Ancient Mariner",the latter based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem of the same name. "Back in the Village" followed up on an earlier hit "The Prisoner", both based on the television show starring Patrick McGoohan.
The tour following the album, dubbed the World Slavery Tour, was the band's biggest to date and consisted of around 220 shows over 13 months. Many shows were played back-to-back in the same city, such as in Long Beach, California, where most of the recordings were made for their subsequent live release Live After Death. The tour was physically gruelling for the band and they took a 6-month break when it ended.
The tour following the album, dubbed the World Slavery Tour, was the band's biggest to date and consisted of around 220 shows over 13 months. Many shows were played back-to-back in the same city, such as in Long Beach, California, where most of the recordings were made for their subsequent live release Live After Death. The tour was physically gruelling for the band and they took a 6-month break when it ended.
Piece of Mind
In late 1982, drummer Clive Burr left the band due to personal and tour schedule problems. He was replaced by Nicko McBrain, previously of Trust. Shortly afterwards, in 1983, the band released Piece of Mind.
The album is widely considered a fan-favourite and contains "The Trooper" and "Flight of Icarus", which were both released as singles. Songs inspired by literary works included "Where Eagles Dare" (based on the movie of the same name), "To Tame A Land" (based on the novel Dune by Frank Herbert), and the aforementioned "The Trooper", based on Tennyson's poem Charge of the Light Brigade.
As a comedic response to controversy about occult messages being backmasked in rock music at the time, a backwards message can be heard at the start of the track "Still Life", which consists of McBrain impersonating Idi Amin Dada:
Hmm, Hmmm, what ho sed de t'ing wid de t'ree bonce. Don't meddle wid t'ings you don't understand.
The album is widely considered a fan-favourite and contains "The Trooper" and "Flight of Icarus", which were both released as singles. Songs inspired by literary works included "Where Eagles Dare" (based on the movie of the same name), "To Tame A Land" (based on the novel Dune by Frank Herbert), and the aforementioned "The Trooper", based on Tennyson's poem Charge of the Light Brigade.
As a comedic response to controversy about occult messages being backmasked in rock music at the time, a backwards message can be heard at the start of the track "Still Life", which consists of McBrain impersonating Idi Amin Dada:
Hmm, Hmmm, what ho sed de t'ing wid de t'ree bonce. Don't meddle wid t'ings you don't understand.
The Number of the Beast
Dickinson's recorded debut with Iron Maiden was 1982's The Number of the Beast, an album that claimed the band their first ever UK Albums Chart number 1 record[19] and additionally became a Top Ten hit in many other countries. For the second time the band went on a world tour, visiting the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia. The tour's US leg was marred by controversy stemming from an American right-wing political pressure group that claimed Iron Maiden was Satanic because of the new album's title track. The band members' attempts to deflect the criticism failed to dampen persistent accusations. A group of Christian activists went on to destroy Iron Maiden records (along with those of Ozzy Osbourne) in protest against the band.
In addition to the title track which was popular amongst fans despite its controversy, the album also included such hits as "Run to the Hills", "22 Acacia Avenue", and "Hallowed Be Thy Name". Songs of historical and literary significance would continue their presence in Iron Maiden albums, including "Children of the Damned", based on the film of the same name, and "The Prisoner", based on The Prisoner television show starring Patrick McGoohan. Dickinson at the time was still in legal difficulties with Samson's managment (or lack of!), and was not permitted to add his name to any of the songwriting credits. However, he was still able to lend 'creative influence' to many of the songs. The artwork for the album was originally going to be the 'Purgatory' single cover, but the band had something better in mind. When the artwork was produced for the new album, instead of having a black sky background, because of a printing error, the albums finished background sky colour was blue.
In addition to the title track which was popular amongst fans despite its controversy, the album also included such hits as "Run to the Hills", "22 Acacia Avenue", and "Hallowed Be Thy Name". Songs of historical and literary significance would continue their presence in Iron Maiden albums, including "Children of the Damned", based on the film of the same name, and "The Prisoner", based on The Prisoner television show starring Patrick McGoohan. Dickinson at the time was still in legal difficulties with Samson's managment (or lack of!), and was not permitted to add his name to any of the songwriting credits. However, he was still able to lend 'creative influence' to many of the songs. The artwork for the album was originally going to be the 'Purgatory' single cover, but the band had something better in mind. When the artwork was produced for the new album, instead of having a black sky background, because of a printing error, the albums finished background sky colour was blue.
The next level (1982–1985)
By 1981, Paul Di'Anno was demonstrating increasingly self-destructive behaviour, particularly through cocaine usage. His performances began to suffer, just as the band was beginning to achieve large-scale succes in America. At the end of 1981 the band fired Di'Anno and began to seek a new vocalist.
Bruce Dickinson, previously of Samson auditioned for Iron Maiden in September 1981 and joined the band shortly afterwards. He then went out on the road with the band on a small-headlining tour. Notable on this mini-tour was that, in anticipation of the forthcoming album, the band played "Children of the Damned", "Run to the Hills", "22 Acacia Avenue" and "The Prisoner" at select venues, introducing fans to the sound that the band was progressing towards.
Bruce Dickinson, previously of Samson auditioned for Iron Maiden in September 1981 and joined the band shortly afterwards. He then went out on the road with the band on a small-headlining tour. Notable on this mini-tour was that, in anticipation of the forthcoming album, the band played "Children of the Damned", "Run to the Hills", "22 Acacia Avenue" and "The Prisoner" at select venues, introducing fans to the sound that the band was progressing towards.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
