Albums Ranked: Iron Maiden
Ask me on any day what the greatest band is and I will tell you Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden was the biggest band out of the NWOBHM movement but surpassed their peers becoming one of the biggest metal bands of them all. Heavily influenced by progressive rock, Iron Maiden has become more and more progressive sounding over the years while still keeping the traditional metal roots. If the bands you love are playing harmonies then likely it is because of the way Iron Maiden redefined twin lead harmonization. Iron Maiden is by far one of the most sighted influences by metal bands making them one of the most important bands in metal. Even though I’ve given an order to these albums I don’t think Iron Maiden has any bad albums. Their worst albums are still better than any average album by most bands.
How this works; Songs are rated on a 5 star rating with each star having a value that is averaged together for the album rating. Average album rating will equal the band’s rating
1 star=0, I hate it! The world would be better off without this.
2 stars=25, I don’t like it but it could be worse
3 stars= 50, decent song but not special
4 stars=75, good song but is missing something that might make it amazing
5 stars=100, Amazing!
Live albums, demos, cover albums and EP’s are not included.
Note: Popular doesn’t mean great and importance doesn’t mean it’s good either. A chart topping song only means it is watered down enough for a mainstream audience
#17
Virtual XI - 84.375%
This might not be a surprising one for many. A lot of people don’t like Blaze Bayley but that actually doesn’t effect the overall score much. I don’t mind him. He’s no Bruce but who is. The songs on this album are still good although live version with Bruce are better.
The Good - “The Clansman” and “When Two Worlds Collide” are absolutely amazing songs.
The Bad - “The Angel and the Gambler”, I used to like this song a lot, but the fact is it’s really repetitive. “Como Estais Amigos” is a good song but it’s probably the slowest track lacking much energy.
#16
Fear of The Dark - 85.41%
This album has some really great songs but also has some more forgettable songs. It’s a dynamic album with the opening track “Be Quick or Be Dead” being pretty much speed metal and “Afraid to Shoot Strangers” and others are very melancholy and more emotionally impactful song.
The Good - “Afraid to Shoot Strangers”, “Judas My Guide”, and the more obvious title track “Fear of the Dark” are my favorites on the album.
The Bad - “Weekend Warrior” is a good song but maybe the weakest on the album. I would have also mentioned “The Apparition", but I forgot about it existed.
#15
Iron Maiden - 87.5%
A four way tie between 15, 14, 13, and 12. I rated this excluding “Sanctuary" because it was not on the original release. This album is Iron Maiden’s first and a bit more raw in some ways but by no means bad. Along with Killers this album features Paul Di'Anno who is a self proclaimed punk. Despite that he doesn’t have the delivery of a punk. Tracks like “Remember Tomorrow for sure so a soft controlled side. Songs on this album are still in the normal live set.
The Good - “Phantom of the Opera” and “Iron Maiden” are amazing songs. Phantom being my favorite on the album and “Iron Maiden” still often used as a closing number for the band live.
The Bad - “Running Free” might be my least favorite song on this album but it’s not because it’s bad. If anything it is because I’ve listened to it to many times.
#14
No Prayer For the Dying - 87.5%
Despite this album being lower on my list I think it’s an underrated album. This album is full of both moody beautiful harmonized leads and some fun energetic songs. This album was the first that had Janick Gers replacing Adrian who had been in the band since Killers.
The Good - “Holy Smoke” is a great, fun feel with great lyrics. Along with “Tailgunner,” “Hooks in You” and “ Bring your Daughter to the Slaughter” these songs are a lot of fun.
The Bad - “The Assassin” is a good song, but my least favorite on the album. Some of the songs on this album are a bit moodier and is probably why it isn’t as well liked. It takes a special mood for this album.
#13
Senjutsu - 87.5%
Senjutsu is a two disc album with plenty of long songs. This album features synthesizer to a greater extent than any other Maiden album. With many longer songs it is easy to get lost in the magic of any given track, but I understand if occasionally some songs might seem longer than necessary. However, for me the epicness of this album puts it ahead of the previous albums which this one is tied.
The Good - Generally if you are a fan of Iron Maiden’s newer feel and long songs this one is right for you. “The Parchment” is probably my favorite of the longer songs, it’s an incredible journey for 12:38 and the longest on the album. On the shorter side, “Days of Future Past” is the shortest song on the album at 4:03. It’s probably my favorite song next to “The Parchment. “Days of Future Past” is has one of the more energetic riffs on the album.
The Bad - If you are not a fan of synths then this album might be a turn off as they are very prominent. Mostly I think they add to the atmosphere in a good way, but sometimes maybe more prominent than one might like. Out of all the tracks though only one drops to 3/5 stars for me which is the title track “Senjutsu”. It’s a longer song over 8 minutes and is very repetitive for such a long song. It feels like it is going to build into greatness, but never actually goes anywhere.
#12
The Number of the Beast - 87.5%
Blaspheme! This is the greatest Maiden album… actually no. It is a hugely important album for metal as it is the album that put Maiden on the map and also introduced the world to new singer Bruce Dickinson. This album has the very popular title track and “Run the Hills” that every casual listener might know. It also ends with “Hallowed Be Thy Name” which is a epic masterpiece and one of the greatest metal songs ever written. With that said there are some songs that I can’t give a full 5 star rating. Something that for me that wont matter to many, as a drummer Nicko is my guy, and this album features the late great Clive Bur. Clive was a great drummer but has a more strait forward style that I personally don’t have as much fun playing to.
The Good - “Hallowed by Thy Name”, again, it is one of the greatest metal songs ever written. “22 Acacia Avenue” is also a master piece.
The Bad - The worst thing about this album is that many of theses songs are the ones that get overplayed by people. I wouldn’t mind hearing “Run to the Hills” way less.
#11
The Book of Souls - 90.9%
Another tie for 11, and 10. The first double disc cd from Iron Maiden this album is full of long songs including their longest to date “Empire of the Clouds” which features Bruce playing Piano. You are going to need some time to get through this epic but it is well worth it.
The Good - If you like Iron Maiden’s longer songs then you’ll enjoy this album. “Empire of the Clouds” is a master piece worth the full 18 minutes it takes to listen to “The Red and Black” is probably my next favorite, great sing along whooo ohhhooo parts.
The Bad - Maybe not the album to throw in if you don’t have a lot of time, all the songs are pretty long with the shortest still being just over 5 minutes.
#10
X Factor - 90.9%
The first album after Bruce left and the introduction to Blaze Bayley. Many people are not a fan of him, but the songs are great either way. This album showed off the progressive side of the band probably more so than any before it. There are a lot of changes in each song with some really cool odd time signatures. For that reason it’s one of my favorites to drum to. The album very melancholy and introspective at times which might not appeal to the average metal head.
The Good - “Sign of the Cross” is one of my favorite maiden songs and is still a live staple for them done even better with Bruce. If you like a more progressive sound this is an album you really need to check out.
The Bad - Some of the songs are slow to start and only get really interesting after a few minutes in.
#9
Killers - 92.5%
A three way tie between 9, 8, and 7. This is the first Iron Maiden album that I owned, this one means a lot to me just for that reason and I listened to it a ton in my early teen years. This album was their second and first with Adrian Smith on guitar. This album has also been mentioned as a big influence on a lot of early thrash bands. Iron Maiden brought a lot speed and energy to metal that not as many bands at the time had.
The Good - A lot of great stuff on this album. Ignoring the more well known “Killers” and “Murders in the Rue Morgue”, I’m partial to “Purgatory” and “Prodigal Son”. Ignoring the solo ,“Prodigal Son” one of only two acoustic songs Maiden has done. The instrumental “Genghis Khan” is really good as well.
The Bad - The harmonized melodies on this album are more simplistic compared to much of Maiden’s other stuff, but it makes up for it with the energy on the album.
#8
The Final Frontier - 92.5%
This album really shines on the second half with some incredible songs. The first half is good but puts forth it’s more strait forward songs first for the most part. The drumming on “Starblind” is one of the coolest things I’ve heard.
The Good - “Mother of Mercy” and tracks 6-10 are incredible songs. “Starblind” and “The Man Who Would be King” are my favorites.
The Bad - The intro is way to long and really should have been put on a separate track so it could be skipped. The first song doesn’t start till around 4 minutes in.
#7
A Matter of Life and Death - 92.5%
A fantastic album this one has some awesomeness powerful songs. If you haven’t listened to this one then you should remedy that.
The Good - This album is packed with amazing songs and it would be quicker to list the ones that aren’t.
The Bad - Who the hell is Benjamin Breeg? Maiden promoted the single “The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg” by making the identity of him a mystery that after all these years has never been answered. It is also the weakest song on the album with me only giving it 3 stars. “The Legacy” got 4 stars but everything else was a 5.
#6
Dance of Death - 93.18%
Don’t let the unfinished cover fool you, This album is amazing. This album features the first song written by drummer Nicko McBrain, “New Frontier” and also the first fully acoustic song “Journeyman”.
The Good - This album is full of master pieces but “Paschendale” stands out as something different that is amazingly powerful. “Dance of Death” and “Face in the Sand” are also some of my favorites along with “No More Lies” and “Rainmaker”.
The Bad - “New Frontier” is the weakest song but is still 4 stars, but I would understand someone only giving it 3.
#5
Piece of Mind - 94.4%
For a long time this was my favorite Maiden album. It’s the first one with Nicko McBrain on drums. The opening track “Where Eagles Dare” Shows exactly why Nicko needed to be in Maiden and shows and incredible performance for Bruce as well. This album is a must own.
The Good - Should I just start naming all the tracks? This album starts with “Where Eagles Dare” and goes into “Revelations” Both amazing songs. One of the most iconic metal songs “The Trooper” is enough reason alone to own this album. “To Tame a Land” is the epic album closing track that Maiden is known for, and it’s as good as any.
The Bad - “Quest for Fire” and “Sun and Steel” are the weaker tracks and are still 4 star tracks.
#4
Powerslave - 96.875%
Here is another tie with #4 and 3. This one is a lot of peoples favorite and for good reasons. This is Iron Maiden in their prime and exemplifies the classic Iron Maiden sound. This album nearly gets 100% from me.
The Good - This is a most own there is only one track I didn’t get 5 stars and even that was a very close call.
The Bad - The one track that didn’t get 5 stars from me was the “The Duelist.” I”m not a big fan of the vocals on this song but musically it is as good as any with an incredible second half to the song. If you are like me and a big fan of the more progressive sound of Maiden, this one is lacking there. For that reason although I rate this one very highly there are other lower rated albums that I prefer to this one. I actually don’t enjoying to drumming to this album nearly as much as many of the others.
#3
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son - 96.875%
I’m a sucker for concept albums and Maiden’s progressive side so obviously this one gets a high rating from me. When asked what my favorite Maiden album is this is one I normally mention. It for sure is probably the one I love drumming to the most with the exception of a couple songs.
The Good - because it’s a concept album it deserves to be listened to front to back, but “Moon Child” “infinite Dreams” and “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” are my favorite tracks
The Bad - “The prophecy” is the only track I didn’t give 5 stars. I’m not a fan of the back and forth vocal parts on it. Also I hate cow bell but not enough that it brought down the 5 star rating of “Can I Play With Madness”.
#2
Brave New World - 97.5%
This album saw the reunion of both Bruce and Adrian and was the first time Maiden had three guitar players. Something about this album is feels different from all the others. It as an atmosphere to it that I don’t know how to describe but I know I”m not the only one who feels it. This is an incredible album. If you are a drummer then good luck on “Dream of Mirrors” You are going to need some right foot skill and a ton of endurance.
The Good - The atmosphere of this album is special and I can’t describe what it is. It probably has a lot to do with the guitar tones and mixing and probably just the fact that there was the reunion.
The Bad - “The Fallen Angle” is the only track I didn’t give 5 stars. It just isn’t on the same level as the other tracks.
#1
Somewhere in Time - 100%
This album is the first one to use synths although not to the extent they would on later albums. It’s enough to add something subtle and effects the overall feel. The guitar tone on this album is incredible with some of the smoothest sounding leads anywhere. So yourself a favor. If you don’t have this get it and when you do put some head phones on or listen to this somewhere that you wont be disturbed. Listen to the whole thing. There is a lot of layering on the guitars that you might not catch on a casual listen and this was done back when there were only two guitarists. Nicko is at peak performance and this album takes some some of the most endurance out of any. “Somewhere in Time” is 7 and a half minutes of single foot triplets and fast speed and consistency and is one songs I put on a pedestal as a drummer. Nicko has the best single foot drumming period and the opening track is insane even if the overall complexity isn’t as much as later stuff.
The Good - EVERYTHING!
The Bad - Nothing although “Wasted Years” is another song that gets overplayed. With that said there is a reason for it.