Shelter From the Norm

“Purgatory” by Iron Maiden Single cover art by Derek...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:45:28 -0400

“Purgatory” by Iron Maiden

Single cover art by Derek Riggs.

Again, not one of my favorite songs from Killers, but a very cool cover which predicts (?) their next album, The Number of the Beast?

“Twilight Zone” by Iron Maiden Single cover art by...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:30:28 -0400

“Twilight Zone” by Iron Maiden

Single cover art by Derek Riggs.

While not my favorite song off the Killers album, it is one of the more interesting and complex early covers. Do you see BOTH grim reapers (silhouetted in the window above her left shoulder - look close)? Or how about the Eddie/Mickey Mouse behind the picture of Eddie? Did you find Derek’s signature? And what, exactly, is under the desk?

“Women in Uniform” by Iron Maiden Single cover art...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:15:28 -0400

“Women in Uniform” by Iron Maiden

Single cover art by Derek Riggs.

“Women in Uniform” by Iron Maiden (official music...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:10:28 -0400

“Women in Uniform” by Iron Maiden (official music video)

In the early heyday of music videos, including Dennis Stratton.

“Women in Uniform” by Iron Maiden This cover of the...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:29 -0400

“Women in Uniform” by Iron Maiden

This cover of the Skyhooks song was released as a single between their debut album and Killers, but wasn’t included on Killers. It also features Dennis Stratton’s last recording with the band before being replaced by Adrian Smith.

Spotify Playlist

“Killers” by Iron Maiden (Bruce’s...

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:15:58 -0400

“Killers” by Iron Maiden (Bruce’s autition)

This rarity is from Bruce’s Iron Maiden audition. I’d say he nailed it.

“Killers” by Iron Maiden (from Maiden England) Live...

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:29 -0400

“Killers” by Iron Maiden (from Maiden England)

Live from the Seventh Son tour with Bruce on vocals and Nicko on drums, the song is about as tight and energetic as I’ve ever heard it.

“Killers” by Iron Maiden (Live at the Rainbow) An...

Mon, 20 May 2013 09:00:25 -0400

“Killers” by Iron Maiden (Live at the Rainbow)

An early version with completely different lyrics. Di’Anno claims to have written the lyrics five minutes before going onstage.

“Killers” by Iron Maiden Album art by Derek Riggs.

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:15:54 -0400

“Killers” by Iron Maiden

Album art by Derek Riggs.

“Killers” by Iron Maiden In addition to being the...

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:25 -0400

“Killers” by Iron Maiden

In addition to being the most terrifying album cover and the one that may be the most recognizable, the title song is the creepiest as it tells the story of a man stalking and killing women. More than just violent, though, is the supposed mental instability of the speaker as the songs shifts back and forth from third to first person as if he is somehow disconnected from his actions.

I’m not sure if this is the reason, but I’m sure it adds to the reason that this is one of my favorite Maiden songs. Other factors would be the intro build up, the stellar guitar solos, and probably Paul Di’Anno’s finest and most diverse vocal performances. It’s sad that it has fallen off the setlists because it’s one of the songs I most want to hear live.

Spotify Playlist

eddiesgivingyouhead: shelterfromthenorm: “Sanctuary” by Iron...

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:28:00 -0400

eddiesgivingyouhead:

shelterfromthenorm:

“Sanctuary” by Iron Maiden

Single cover art by Derek Riggs.

Doesn’t look like Eddie’s a fan of Maggie.

Fockin knob ‘ead, there’s only room for one iron maiden.

Hahaha. Oh, Eddie, you always crack me up!

Iron Maiden - Death on the Road (Full Concert) If you’re...

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:30:06 -0400

Iron Maiden - Death on the Road (Full Concert)

If you’re like me and you’ve fallen behind a bit on the newer Iron Maiden songs, this is a great way to catch up. Besides, what else do you have to do on a Sunday morning?

Wildest Dreams

Wrathchild

Can I Play With Madness

The Trooper

Dance of Death

Rainmaker

Brave New World

Paschendale

Lord of the Flies

No More Lies

Hallowed Be Thy Name

Fear of the Dark

Iron Maiden

Journeyman

The Number of the Beast

Run to the Hills

“Paschendale” by Iron Maiden (Live from Death on the...

Sun, 19 May 2013 09:00:08 -0400

“Paschendale” by Iron Maiden (Live from Death on the Road)

In addition to sounding great, this is possibly the best filmed and edited live performance I have ever scene. Every live performance should look like this in the end.

Spring

Sun, 19 May 2013 08:41:32 -0400

April 19: It’s gonna be 62! Spring is here!

May 19: It’s only gonna be 62?! Spring, where did you go?!

Bruce Dickinson during “Paschendale”

Sun, 19 May 2013 08:30:07 -0400

Bruce Dickinson during “Paschendale”

“Paschendale” by Iron Maiden One of my favorite...

Sun, 19 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

“Paschendale” by Iron Maiden

One of my favorite “new” Iron Maiden songs because it has a unique intro and because the rest of the song revisits the classic heaviness and grandeur for which they became famous. It also includes an orchestra, confirming my belief that the band was always in tune with heavy classical compositions as many of their earlier songs contain sections which sound adapted from classical symphonies. I believe it is also the sound they were trying to achieve with their earlier experiments with synthesizers, but the actual orchestra gives the song a fuller and more authentic sound.

Cruelty has a human heart
every man does play his part
terror of the men we kill
the human heart is hungry still

Spotify Playlist

“Aces High” from Numbers of the Beast For something...

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:18 -0400

“Aces High” from Numbers of the Beast

For something a little bit different, here’s an interesting cover from an All-Star band:

Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals (Yngwie J. Malsteen band, Journey)

Nuno Bettencourt - Guitar (Extreme)

Billy Sheehan - Bass (Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big)

Vinnie Appice - Drums (Dio, Black Sabbath)

“King of Twilight” by Iron Maiden A cover of the...

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

“King of Twilight” by Iron Maiden

A cover of the song by Nektar and b-side of “Aces High”.

Spotify Playlist

Flight 666 by Iron Maiden (Full Concert) Something for your...

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:30:14 -0400

Flight 666 by Iron Maiden (Full Concert)

Something for your weekend viewing and listening pleasure.

Beginning, of course, with those words by Winston Churchill and leading into “Aces High”.

Aces High/Churchill’s Speech

Two Minutes to Midnight

Revelations

The Trooper

Wasted Years

The Number of the Beast

Can I Play With Madness

Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Powerslave

Heaven Can Wait

Run to the Hills

Fear of the Dark

Iron Maiden

Moonchild

The Clairvoyant

Hallowed Be Thy Name

“Aces High” by Iron Maiden (from Flight 666) Ever...

Sat, 18 May 2013 10:15:20 -0400

“Aces High” by Iron Maiden (from Flight 666)

Ever since Live After Death came out, I have a hard time understanding why they would ever open a show with anything else (including the Churchill Speech). Although, when I saw them last summer, this was mid-set (and the Churchill opening stunned my friend, who, 30 years later, still reveled the brilliance of the pairing).

Oh, and in this version, the crowd is REALLY into the chorus! As it should be.