Iron Maiden
No Prayer For The Dying

THE REVIEW

Said and done: IRON MAIDEN, REVIEW N°107. 

The album I am examining is that mysterious object called "No Prayer For The Dying", released in 1990 and considered one of the band's worst. Is it really true? Well, it's certainly not among the masterpieces, yet it remains a great hard n' heavy album, a step above "Fear Of The Dark", creating a clear departure from its epic and grandiose predecessors to return to an atmosphere somewhat in the style of "Killers". The opener "Tailgunner" is definitely among the best pieces, especially for Steve Harris's whirling bass line, almost simulating an aircraft turbine. The song deals with World War II and has nothing to envy of the more renowned Aces High, except for Bruce's somewhat lackluster performance, who gives his best in epic songs. Even more beautiful is the sarcastic and thrilling "Holy Smoke", which always delivers delightful headbanging moments. Very beautiful is also the reflective and bitter "No Prayer For The Dying", perhaps the most "understated" title track by the Irons, but still enriched by an anthology-worthy initial riff. The level remains high with "Public Enema Number One", which fully represents the album's atmosphere: streetwise, yet dark and laden with tension.
Negligible and repetitive are the subsequent "Fates Warning" and "The Assassin", compensated by an unknown and precious gem like "Run Silent Run Deep", which narrates a pirate assault in a tense and foggy atmosphere: Dickinson's performance is excellent, aggressive and excited just right. With "Hooks In You" (which unexpectedly reopens the Charlotte The Harlot saga), the album hits its lowest point: an almost glam song that anticipates the tremendous blunders of the subsequent Fear Of The Dark album. "Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter" (which initially was to be part of Bruce's solo album "Tattooed Millionaire") is perhaps the most famous track. Personally, though, I don't like it one bit. Note that the initial riff was blatantly copied by Bon Jovi in "Have A Nice Day". The closing is entrusted to the real masterpiece of the album: "Mother Russia". Of rare beauty and evocative power, a dramatic and intense Cossack dance to a metal rhythm with an instrumental interlude featuring a formidable Nicko McBrain. Remarkable is the final verse "Can you be happy, now you people are free..."

Indeed, in 1990, they obviously couldn't have known about Putin... Nonetheless, No Prayer For The Dying is worthy in every respect of being part of the Iron Maiden saga, and songs like "Tailgunner", "Holy Smoke", "Public Enema Number One", "Run Silent Run Deep", and notably the masterpiece "Mother Russia" always provide great emotions.

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