Iron Maiden
Somewhere In Time

THE REVIEW

October 11, 1986, the Maiden released a very special album on the market, different from its predecessor ("Powerslave") and full of new experiments. The lineup was the classic one from "Piece of Mind" to "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" and included: Steve Harris (bass), Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Adrian Smith (guitar), Dave Murray (guitar), and Nicko Mc Brain (drums).

This work brought many innovations to the sound of the Iron Maiden; for example, the guitar and bass synthesizers. This was criticized by some fans who preferred the rawer sound of "Killers" or "The Number of the Beast," but it is certain that we are talking about an album that made history and from which an equally spectacular world tour was derived.

The first track is "Caught Somewhere in Time," which immediately catapults us into a futuristic universe with the intro of keyboards and synthesized guitars that perfectly integrate with the fantastic rhythmic base of the Harris-Mc Brain duo; then the explosion and Dickinson's harsh voice that literally transport us inside these six minutes of pure power and precision of execution. One of the best tracks on the album is the next one, "Wasted Years" (the first single extracted from the album), which, through its melancholic lyrics, invites us to reflect on the time wasted every day. Truly a concentrate of emotions, with choruses wonderfully sung by a Dickinson in top form. The third track is the powerful and energetic "Sea of Madness," which takes us through its powerful riffs to the absolute masterpiece of the album: "Heaven Can Wait." A space-themed song (to stay on theme), perfect in every part. The intro with the keyboards, then the two guitars running fast over Mc Brain's rhythm and Dickinson's voice convincing us that heaven can wait another day.... The lyrics of "The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" are very beautiful, evocative and well crafted, and they indeed talk about the loneliness of the long-distance runner.

"Stranger in a Strange Land" is the second single extracted from the album and fully impresses with Dickinson's superb performance. "Deja-Vu" starts with a very calm guitar intro and explodes into a fast and catchy melody, with lyrics that talk about the strange sensations that sometimes plague our minds when it seems like we are doing something we have already done or engaging in a conversation we have already had.... The closure is left to a historically-themed song: "Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.)." The song opens with a speech by King Philip of Macedonia and then kicks off with the slow snare drumming, like in a march, followed by the epic guitars of Smith and Murray. Then the sound opens up into a typical Maiden melody, with Harris' galloping bass, Dickinson's beautiful high notes, and the awe-inspiring solos of the two guitarists.

In conclusion, an album that brought many innovations to the Maiden's sound, and which definitely ranks among the top works of the most beloved heavy metal band.