From Worst To First: Iron Maiden

My discography reviewing journey took me from a progressive metal band from 'Murica, to what is arguably the biggest metal band that has ever existed. It is insane to think how huge Iron Maiden has become during their 40+ year history, starting out as a scrappy young band from Leyton, Great Britain, eventually becoming an arena touring behemoth that more or less every metal head look up to with a big smile on their faces.

What is it with Maiden that makes them so great though? Well, it could be the simple facts, like the amazing musicianship, the insane amount of fun that is put into every track, and the massive passion that all members have for metal music in general. Yes, it is just something with the band's unique style of blazing guitars, high powered live performances, and catchy song writing that speakes to my, and a ton of others, heart. There is certainly no other band that has so many passionate fans out there. For instance, I know a bunch of guys that go to every show they do that is even close to the Swedish borders, that buy every merch, every special versions of the album. They love other bands as well, but their love for Maiden is out right mental.

While I also love Maiden with all my heart, I still know that the band is not perfect, at least when it comes to their studio efforts. They have made 16 so far, and all of them have their personal charm, but the question still remains, which one is the best, and which ones are the rest. Time to rank all the Iron Maiden full length records (iow no live albums or compilations included).

16. The X Factor

It seems like most people actually like this album, and I honestly cannot blame them, because there are some neat things in here. It has a bunch of great tracks like "Man On The Edge", "Judgement of Heaven", and "Lord of The Flies", and for a first attempt, Blaze Bayley sounds pretty good. The problem I have with this record is that it is too dark. Everything here is too dark, the tone, the production, the themes, even Harris' bass sounds too dark. It just does not feel like a Iron Maiden release, it feels like some other band did it instead. Oh well, if you like it, that is great for you, but I cannot bother to get back into this album. After all, there are 15 records out there that are better.

Eddie check: Poor Eddie, tortured beyond belief. Sure, he always look like he stubbed his toe on something, but this is a gruesome image that is sort of cool, but also show all of the problems of the album. 5/10

15. No Prayer For The Dying

Every time I try to think of the Maiden discography on the top of my head, I always seem to forget this album. Sure, it had the tough task of taking Maiden into the rough 90's, but it did so with some of the most bland material they have ever written. The band took a huge step backwards in their musical development, settling for simpler songs with hooks that surely stick, but are really teetering on the verge towards being annoying. Nah, I am glad that I keep forgetting this album, there are after all much better Maiden efforts out there.

Eddie check: It is interesting to see Eddie in what looks to be a horror movie poster, but otherwise it is one of the least interesting album covers. Eddie is fairly normal, and even if his pose is dynamic, it just looks like he is reaching out for his jacket. Colors are nice at least. 4/10

14. Virtual XI

This is a strange album, to say the least. With more opportunities for Blaze Bayley to contribute in the song writing, "Virtual XI" got some sort of a sci-fi treatment, which does not always work. It has a bunch of interesting ideas, and the whole tone of the record helps it get past its older brother "The X Factor" with ease, but it still does not have enough quality in it to really grip me. It is a valid attempt for a band that was a little lost during the time, but this album is just like the technology of virtual reality in general, a wishful thought that just does not work... at least in this day and age, maybe in the future.

Eddie check: Seems like Eddie is living his Freddy Krueger dreams here, being all evil and shit. He certainly looks intimidating, and his bony fingers are a nice little touch that adds to the full image. Not sure what to think about the inverted mohawk thing though. It looks awful, but at the same time it is creepy. 7/10

13. Fear of The Dark

Honest to god, do we know any other track from this record than the title track? Well... we got "Afraid To Shoot Strangers"... oh, and "Be Quick Or Be Dead" is in it as well. It is still painfully obvious though that beside from the ever popular live staple, "Fear of The Dark" is an album filled with okay songs that you can absolutely listen to, maybe even sing along to as well, but none of them are anything special. Looking back at it, it is not that surprising that Bruce left the band after this effort, because Maiden had lost all momentum during that time, and needed some kind of fresh start. Well, it completes the quarter-fecta, with all 90's records taking the four lowest spots on my list.

Eddie check: Eddie as a tree? Okay, I understand that they are trying to make him creepy again here, but this does not work at all. He looks goofy as hell with that out of control hair and beard, making me laugh instead of cowering with fear. Hell, that tree in Pocahontas is way scarier than Eddie here (then again, Disney has a pretty good track record scaring children). 3/10

12. A Matter of Life And Death

Close to everything about this record is rather disappointing. From the boring album cover, to the overall grey atmosphere, "A Matter of Life And Death" just seemed like a safe bet from the band, not taking any wild chances at all. Sure, the first single was the challenging "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", and the ultra epic "Brighter Than A Thousand Suns" does bring a flash bang of hope to this album, but it did not help enough with a tracklist that was quite front heavy, putting all of the long and exhausting songs in the back. The true prog phase of the band probably started with this record, but it was not perfected here.

Eddie check: Eddie is reduced to an emblem... what the actual hell? Would have been cool to see him as some rotten war hero, but nope, just an emblem. GOD DAMMIT!!! 0/10

11. Killers

People keep discussing which of the two Paul Di'Anno albums are the best, but for me, there is no question in that matter. While "Killers" is a natural progression for the band both musically and in production quality, it still feels a little like a disappointment with several songs being forgettable, and that the jump from first to second record is not to great. It is mostly more of the same, and for a band that eventually would make a career of evolving as musicians as they go, "Killers" is just a small step that is barely noticeable. I hope that Eddie is not ready to murder me for those words, he looks pretty angsty already...

Eddie check: This is a classic Eddie image, with him looking scary, holding a bloody axe, and a victim clinging onto his shirt. This is probably high on a lot of people's lists, but not mine. Not Eddie's fault, but he is just way more interesting in other versions. Sorry, not sorry. 6/10

10. Piece of Mind

Out of all the albums from Maiden's golden era, "Piece of Mind" is the only one that I just do not get. Sure, "The Trooper" is impossible to resist, and it has a good amount of creative thought put behind it, but I just do not think this is a great record. For me, it lacks both power and momentum, having a sluggish feeling that really no other Maiden album has, and it is so strange. It lacks star power as well, with the lesser songs being lesser than usual, and the highlights standing fairly low. By no means a bad record, it is one I would easily skip if I had any other album from the classic era readily available.

Eddie check: Another classic cover, and setting Eddie in an asylum with a straight jacket just feels right. After all, he is a strange creature that no one understand, perfect for scared people to lock away somewhere far away. Minus points though for him blending into the background. 7/10

9. Dance of Death

I really cannot seem to make up my mind over "Dance of Death". First I hated it, then I loved it, and it goes back and forth like that depending on the time. Right now, I find it to have a bunch of positives, like some incredibly catchy sing along tunes, but that it still falls flat in the end. It does not feel like a complete album, one that you would come back to time and time again. Do not be surprised if I change my mind over this record again some time in the future, but as it stands now, it is just a run of the mill Maiden record, which is still not that awful actually.

Eddie check: What is this CGI abomination? This is easily the worst album cover the band has ever presented, and the only redeeming quality is Eddie himself, but even he is disappointing. Finally he is depicted as the Grim Reaper himself, and he is only to be found far away from our sights? WHAT WERE THEY THINKING??? 3/10

8. The Final Frontier

This spaced out record has always been a personal favourite of mine, one that I for some reason keep coming back to. Yeah, I understand that the two main singles "El Dorado" and the title track are boring as hell, and that it has some other lesser parts, but as a whole, this album just works. I love the opening intro "Satellite 15" that shoots us straight into space, and the two longest songs of the record, "The Talisman and "When The Wild Wind Blows" are some of the most fluent tracks Maiden has ever done. You can fight me all you want about this one, but I will still come back to this record time and time again. It just has that effect on me.

Eddie check: Without any competition, this is the most imaginative Eddie of them all, and he looks awesome. Just look at all those textures, all those details, and the fact that it still looks like Eddie is just amazing. I am sure that if The Predator or a xenomorph faced off against this beast, they would be pretty frightened. 9/10

7. The Number of The Beast

"The Number of The Beast" is an all time classic, one that has been in countless "Top albums of all time" lists, and it lifted the band to heights that the members thought were impossible to reach. So why is it only at number 7? While the album is with no question great, it is inconsistent as hell. The great three ("Hallowed Be Thy Name", "Run To The Hills", and the title track) are certainly amazing, and I also like "The Prisoner" as well, but the rest of the songs are ranging from okay to boring. It is close to impossible for me to play this record without skipping any songs, and for that reason alone, it loses a bunch of points in my book.

Eddie check: What Eddie lacks in originality, he takes a ton of it back in just pure intimidation. Just look here, he is bigger than the freaking devil, and it even looks like he is controlling him. It is such an iconic image, how can you not at least respect it. 8/10

6. Iron Maiden

Ahh, the original record. It may be rough on its exterior, crude in its execution, and it might even sound a little like a punk record (even if Steve Harris would deny that fact all the way to his grave), but there is a charm to it that makes it irresistible. Almost everything with this record made the band stand out in 1980, like their fast guitars and provoking vocals. It laid the foundation for the band, and it did so with a lot of dirt and grime, and also some blood and sweat. The tears was left for the audience who heard this would be superpower for the first time.

Eddie check: The original, the one and only, Eddie The Head. It is a classic look that created a character that is almost bigger than the band itself. I just love that he looks like a combination of a zombie, a heroin addict, and that guy from the Edvard Munch painting "The Scream". Hell, even the light post looks like a giant needle, a classic that never fades. 7/10


5. Brave New World

The Bruce comeback record may not be the brightest shining star in the Maiden discography, but it is sure as hell a damn fine record with some really memorable songs. It was a statement from the band that they were back in their old ways, creating awesome music, but also music that would award the listener if they put their mind into it. Difficult songs like "Dream of Mirrors" and "The Thin Line Between Love And Hate" was mixed in with bangers like "Out of The Silent Planet", "The Wicker Man", and the title track, creating an album that went back and forth between what made Maiden great, and what would keep them from losing the edge. Add in an emotional semi-ballad in "Blood Brothers" as well, and you get one hell of a record.

Eddie check: I like the idea the artist had here, depicting Eddie as an outer world being that constantly watches the world from the clouds. It is a shame though that we just get the face, and not much more. Oh well, I bet Eddie would make a great cloud Mufasa in the live action adaptation of "The Lion King". 6/10

4. The Book of Souls

Now that three years have gone since the release of "The Book of Souls", I can see that I kind of overreacted in my review of it. It has its fillers, and the double album format is not really fitting for the band. Still, I stand by my statement that this record is the best Maiden record since "Seventh Son...". The great parts completely overshadows the more faulty parts, and the musicality in here is just at an fantastic levels. Just the fact that the 4 songs in here that are over 8 minutes in length are of such a high quality is just amazing. This is truly an achievement by the band, to make such a challenging record and still come down nearly flawlessly with it, there is just not that many bands out there that would be able to pull this one off.

Eddie check: I really do love the design of Eddie in this album. He works really well as a native Mayan warrior that only wears a loin cloth, some piercings, and some war paint. The red and black eyes are an incredibly nice touch as well. It is just a shame that we only get to see him from the chest and up on the cover, in the most boring album cover Maiden has ever had. How could you waste such a cool character? Shame! 8/10

3. Powerslave

Being a classic fan favourite, the powerhouse "Powerslave" ends up taking the bronze medal, and it does so thanks to its wide range of awesome songs. From the super hits "Aces High" and "2 Minutes To Midnight" at the beginning, to the 13 and a half minute mastodon epic "Rime of The Ancient Mariner", this is an extremely solid record that is a pure joy ride in all of its 50 minutes of run time. I also love the Egyptian theme that the band has here, it really gives the album a personality that is hard to match. Just a bummer that they did not went 100% with that theme.

Eddie check: This is simply perfection. Not only because Eddie already resembles a mummy in his normal looks, but him as an Egyptian pharaoh who has gotten his own giant statue is just marvelous. It is as majestic as majestic can get, a true leader and king. 10/10

2. Seventh Son of A Seventh Son

Knowing where Maiden has gone with their musical direction, "Seventh Son..." was like looking into a crystal ball to see and hear the future. It is a progressive metal album in all its meanings, seeing the band experiment a lot with longer songs, more complex structures, and themes that demands a lot of attention and focus. It still has that classic Maiden flare though, displaying lots of great choruses, playful instrumental arrangements, and a Bruce that is all over the place, in a good way. It is a masterful record that is both a progressive masterpiece, and a Maiden masterpiece. An incredibly nice double whammy.


Eddie check: With such an imaginative concept, we need a creative Eddie. So let us take away half his body, put a candle on top of his head, and let him hold his own stomach sack that what I assume holds the seventh son. Oh, and make him float as well. BRILLIANT! 7/10

1. Somewhere In Time

It might be a surprising choice for most, but for me, this is the ultimate Maiden record. From top to bottom, we are treated with everything that makes the band so awesome. We got tons of imaginative riffs, catchy choruses as far as the ear can hear, and a great variety of different tunes, from the long and rangey "Alexander The Great (356-323 BC)" to the galloping attack of the title track. This record is the true definition of the motto "All killer, no filler", with all of the 8 tracks fulfilling a purpose. Even the lesser tracks like the overrated "Wasted Years" and the simplistic "Deja-Vu" are still bangers that I could listen to time and time again. It is just a shame that this album seems to often be overshadowed, with few songs ever appearing on the live setlists. No matter what, this is still a record that is 51 minutes of epic greatness in musical form, one where the band truly displays all their good qualities. Simply put, it is amazing.

Eddie check: I absolutely love the creativity and details on this particular Eddie character. He certainly seems like he comes from the future, ready to beat the shit out of Skynet. Pose is a little weird though, is he stretching? 9/10

And as a bonus, here are my 10 favourite Iron Maiden tracks, in alphabetical order

Brighter Than A Thousand Suns
Oh, it is bright alright, you need sunglasses to listen to this one.

Fear of The Dark
The live classic, not as good in studio version, but still epic as hell.

Hallowed Be Thy Name
The ultimate epic, a perfect song from start to finish.

Phantom of The Opera
If the musical with the same name consisted of songs like this one, maybe I would see it.

Powerslave
Holy balls, this track would make every tomb in Egypt shake with all mummies headbanging to it.

Rainmaker
I tried playing this song during the summer over and over again, but it did not result in any rain. Sounds good though.

Seventh Son of A Seventh Son
A brilliant title track that showed the ultimate progressive side of the band.

The Evil That Men Do
Another "Seventh Son..." track, but the exact opposite. Catchy, short, and simple.

The Loneliness of The Long Distance Runner
As a guy who hates running, I understand the feeling this song tries to emote. Fuck running.

The Talisman
A forgotten gem from "The Final Frontier" that has so much brilliant execution in it.

And as a bonus bonus, since I went through all the Eddie's, here is a quick ranking of them

16. Emblem Eddie
15. Reaper Eddie
14. Tree Eddie
13. Charging Eddie
12. Tortured Eddie
11. Murder Eddie
10. Cloud Eddie
9. Virtual Eddie
8. Floating Eddie
7. Crazy Eddie
6. Original Eddie
5. Giant Eddie 
4. Mayan Eddie
3. Future Eddie
2. Alien Eddie
1. Pharaoh Eddie

Stay metal!
Robert "Sharkruisher" Andersson

Live review: Iron Maiden + Opeth and The Raven Age at Ullevi, Gothenburg

My first main metal show took place 8 years ago (man, I feel old), and the band that headlined was Iron Maiden. The tour was Somewhere Back In Time, which of course meant that I got to hear all of the classics from the 80's era of the band, and while I was almost oblivious over how big the band actually was, I was shell shocked over the show, the atmosphere, and the overall experience. It was an amazing night, and still to this day, I hold it as one of my favourite shows of all time. I was supposed to see them again 2 years later, when they played on Sonisphere in Stockholm, but god decided to recreate his main hit, a massive rain storm that would drown all the sinners, or in this case, all metal lovers. It was supposed to be a day filled with awesome music, but it ended early, I was soaking wet, and I only got to see two bands, Slayer, and Iggy Pop and The Stooges (and yes, Iggy played without a shirt despite the rain, he is a crazy man).

After the release of "The Book of Souls", I was determined to see the band again, not only because I loved the album, but because it had been ages since I saw them. So I took my bag, packed some necessities, and traveled to Gothenburg, the metal capital of Sweden, and the fantastic stadium Ullevi, and prepared myself for a awesome night with awesome music.

Opening act 1: The Raven Age

Well, here is where I would have written about the performance of this relatively young and unknown British band The Raven Age, a band that has followed with Maiden throughout the tour, but I did not make it in time to see their show (thanks public transportation!). To be honest though, I am pretty sure that I did not miss much. Some of the people I spoke to that saw the show said that they were okay, but nothing more, one even stated that it almost felt like they wrote new material on the fly, which would not surprise me at all since I think they have only officially released 4 songs.

I did listen to them though on my way to Gothenburg, and I can best describe them as a modern In Flames clone, in other words, not the most unique band I have ever heard, but the songs I did listen to were quite good. I really hope that the band takes the most out of this experience, and channel it to make a killer debut record, because this band has potential.

No rating since I did not see the show, but give this band a look at their Soundcloud page right here.

Set List
1. Uprising
2. Promised Land
3. The Death March
4. Eye Among The Blind
5. The Merciful One
6. Salem's Fate
7. Angel In Disgrace

Opening act 2: Opeth

When I saw that Opeth was gonna open up for Maiden, I was like "Hell yeah!!!". Seriosuly, getting to see two amazing bands from two very different spectres of the metal universe for the price of one, it is a offer you cannot refuse. Unfortunately, it almost feels like I was the only one who truly was excited over Opeth, because the arena was not even close to full when they played.

This was a obvious risk Opeth had to deal with, since the Maiden fans are of a different nature, it is difficult to make them pay attention to Opeths long, complex, and heavy songs. The band did a good job though, and they played the gig in a very professional matter, delivering a nice performance that unfortunately went to deaf ears. All around me I could see people sitting down, chatting, and minding their own business, ignoring Opeth almost completely. Sure, I know that you all are here to see Maiden, but give the opening acts some appreciation at least. Is it really that difficult?

As for the set list, I really do miss "Ghost of Perdition" in it, but I really do not mind all too much about that since they were the opening act and they only had so much time to work with (approximately 50 minutes if I recall correctly). I enjoyed every note from the band, and I hope that Opeth gathered some new fans out of this gig, but as Mikael Åkerfeldt himself said, "compared to the main act, we are elevator music", at least to the ears of this specific crowd.

Best: Can't complain on Opeth's professionalism and flawless execution

Worst: The band did not get the appreciation they deserved

Rating: 6,5/10

Set List
1. Cusp of Eternity
2. The Devil's Orchard
3. Demon of The Fall
4. The Grand Conjuration
5. Deliverance
6. Heir Apparent

Main act: Iron Maiden

So finally, it was time. UFO's "Doctor Doctor" had just been played through the speakers, which of course meant that it was time for Iron Maiden to enter the stage. But before they did that, we got spoiled with a short movie clip from the jungle of the Amazonas, watching a gigantic Eddie hand tossing away the Ed Force One towards our location, building up the tension to what would come.

Not surprisingly, Bruce opened up the show with that epic intro to "If Eternity Should Fail", but a problem showed itself already, and that was the sound. The sound was literally all over the place, not only on this song, but more or less the entire first half of the show, which was horrendous. Bruce could disappear time and time again, both during and in between songs, making me, and everyone else, frustrated. It is 2016 for god's sake, and we have yet to invent a way to perfect the sound in a live show. How hard can it really be?

And to add salt to the wounds, the audience seemed... sleepy, or just not fully interested in the new songs. I really love "The Book of Souls", so I was happy to see that 6 songs from the album was a part of the set list, but it was hard for the band to engage the crowd to sing along here. I am not surprised though, because since most of the audience were of the older generation, and they want to hear the classics. It is a conundrum that is hard for the band to work with, but they do the best of it. Personally, I could have done without "Tears of A Clown", and it would have been interesting to see "Empire of The Clouds", but otherwise, it was a good selection of songs from the new record.

The only new song that truly got some appreciation was "The Red And The Black", which did not surprise me one bit. As I wrote on my review of "The Book of Souls", I saw that "The Red And The Black" could become a modern "Fear of The Dark", and I was right. The audience sang along to the "oh-whoa oh-whoa-oh" with a volume that could be heard in all of Gothenburg, and it really was a party through that long solo section. The band seemed to enjoy every moment through out this mastodon of a song.

Welcome to the ring, Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel Dickinson

And it definitely felt like the band woke up on the right side of the bed this day, especially Bruce Dickinson who acted like a child whom just had a big sip of its parent's coffee. He ran around everywhere, without getting tired one bit, and doing all sort of crazy shit, like doing a monkey dance on "Death Or Glory", and wear various costumes, my favourite being the wrestler mask during "Powerslave". You mean to tell me that this guy had cancer a year ago? I don't believe you.

The rest of the band was on point too of course, duelling, running, and showing off both left and right among that giant Mayan like stage. Seriously you could not tell that these guys were in their 60's, swinging their instruments and fighting rubber lizards (yes, that happened). The funnest moment though was during "The Book of Souls", in which a humongous walking Eddie comes out and starts swinging his axe towards the members, and they interact with him wonderfully, running under him and tricking him. At the end of the solo section of the song, Bruce lures Eddie to him and he just takes his hand, reaches into Eddie's chest, and drags out his heart. Simply put, it was freaking awesome, and that heart was also tossed into the crowd, so some lucky bastard got himself a Eddie heart as a souvenir.

A big Eddie

The second half of the show was more oriented towards the classic stuff, which also meant that the crowd was warmed up and ready to unleash the fury. "Hallowed Be Thy Name" was great and made the crowd jump with excitement, but that was nothing compared to the usual fan favourite, "Fear of The Dark". There are few songs in the universe that can match this song in a live setting, just hearing the crowd sing along here makes every hair on your body rise. A Maiden set list would not be complete without this roof raiser. The main set list ended with "Iron Maiden", and if I thought the Eddie before was big, then I had seen nothing yet. At the end of the song (which was the one that suffered the most from the audio problems), a massive inflatable Eddie appeared in the background, wobbling his head back and forth to the band and the audience. Epic to say the least.

An even bigger Eddie

After an incredibly short break, the encore started with "The Number of The Beast", and a big inflatable beast at the corner of the stage. Together with the looming darkness and some pyrotechnics, this rather worn out song got a neat little face lift. After that though, magic happened. Bruce was going to have another chat with the audience, but he could not get out a word, because the cheers and applause seemed to last an eternity, just making the band shake their heads and take it all in, enjoying every second of this ultimate tribute to them.

The magic continued with the only song from the 00's, "Blood Brothers". The crowd swayed in motion, sang their lungs out, and the ones on the stands took out their cell phones to create a perfect night sky filled with stars. Talk about coming together as blood brothers here, it was pure magic from start to finish. "Wasted Years" ended the show after 2 hours, and yes, there are a ton of songs that I would have loved to be added to the set list. No "Run To The Hills", no "Phantom of The Opera", no "Rime of The Ancient Mariner", no songs from "Seventh Son...", and few newer songs (except for the "The Book of Souls" songs of course), but Maiden has such a huge catalog of amazing songs that any set list they put out is a good set list, and their playful execution will always make sure that you will leave the show with a huge smile on your face.

Even with the rough start and uneven sound, Maiden delivered once again, making sure that they are still one of the best metal acts out there, even after 30+ years of service. I do feel like my first Maiden show back in 2008 was better than this one, but this is not something you can blame on the band, because they did nothing wrong, only right. Ultimately, this was a fantastic show that was spontaneous, fun, and heart warming. Go and see this band while you have the chance, you will not be disappointed, I guarantee you. Up the Irons!

Best: "Blood Brothers" have never been more magical

Worst: The sound was literally all over the place

Rating: 8,5/10

Set List
1. If Eternity Should Fail
2. Speed of Light
3. Children of The Damned
4. Tears of A Clown
5. The Red And The Black
6. The Trooper
7. Powerslave
8. Death of Glory
9. The Book of Souls
10. Hallowed Be Thy Name
11. Fear of The Dark
12. Iron Maiden

Encore
13. The Number of The Beast
14. Blood Brothers
15. Wasted Years

Stay metal!
Robert "Sharkruisher" Andersson

Alcohol double review: Trooper 666 and Slayer 666 Red Ale

One comes in a luxurious box, the other with Eddie on it

The alcoholic market has become a great way for established bands to take if they want to get back the money that they loose from the decline of album sales. Almost all of the biggest bands have at least one brand of alcohol up for sale at our local liquor distributors. Today I will review two of these beverages, one that is a limited edition version of a previously released drink, and another one that has the devil's number in its name, and they are marketed by two legendary bands, Iron Maiden, and Slayer.

Trooper 666

My first alcohol review was on Trooper, a nice clear beer that I did a shit review on. What can I say, I was young, stupid, and drunk when I did it. I am not so sure if I would give the same rating today, but I will say this, Trooper does have a better taste than most other beer in the same class that I have tried.

To celebrate the great success Trooper has become (the beer has sold over 10 million pints!), Robinson Brewery and singer Bruce Dickinson has now presented Trooper 666, a darker version of Trooper that also has a higher percentage of alcohol, but promises to have the same rich flavour of the original. Now, I would not say the original was rich in flavour, but it was the least I could expect from 666, that it would resemble its brother.

The beer certainly meets my expectations, it is darker in both taste and looks, and also has a higher percentage of alcohol in it. The taste does also have sort of that citric taste that mad the original Trooper stand out, which I am very pleased over, since I feared that the darkness would consume its personality. In fact, it gets its own personality thanks to this darkness.

If Trooper was this teenager that could barely grow a mustasche and had just reached the required age to buy beer, Trooper 666 is a guy in his late 20's/early 30's, mature and experienced enough to know what kind of beer they want, but young enough to still go out and party. Robinson Brewery has certainly succeeded in evolving this beverage into something that one would not mistake for water. Up the Irons!

Rating: 8,5/10

Slayer 666 Red Ale

Slayer 666 Red Ale actually comes from a Swedish brewery called Nils Oscar Bryggeri (Sweden, fuck yeah!!!), which actually surprised me since Slayer is an American band. But then I remembered one thing that could explain one thing or two, that most American beer suck. For us Europeans, American beer tastes like water. Beers like Budweiser, Coors and Red Stripe is so much blander than what I am used to. The only American beer I can actually enjoy is Samuel Adams, and that is mostly thanks to this sketch from "The Chappelle Show" (Dave Chappelle, what a guy).



Compared to Trooper 666, Slayer 666 Red Ale is not that much different. It is a little darker in color and it only packs 6.5% in alcohol percentage compared to Trooper 666's 6.6%. The main difference comes of course in the taste, which is a much darker one. Whenever I take I sip, I get taken down to hell, just to get a seat next to Jeff Hannemann where he will sit, in his throne, reigning in blood. Okay, I might have carried away a little there, but I have to admit that it was better than what I expected.

First off, the beer is dark, a lot darker than what I am used. It is not quite as dark as the idol of all dark beer, which of course is Guiness, which eased my mind since I consider those types to be more tar than beer. Anyway, the beer does take a while for me to chug down, but it is not so bad that I have to force it down. It does hit you as hard as the band can do when they reach their max potential.

What I do not like about the beer is that it does not have too big of a own personality, it just tastes of dark ale. The taste is good, and reflects the band quite well, but I would have liked more originality to it. With that said, it is still obvious that the band and brewery master Patrick Holmqvist connected together and was really dedicated to create a beer that did not taste like piss. Certainly something for the fans of the band.

Rating: 7/10

In conclusion, two fine examples of beer that every fan should try at least once in their lives. I may think that most of these alcoholic band drinks are just a complex and innovative way to get some more cash, but there is several upsides to it, one is that it makes it easier for a music lover to chose among the endless list of beverage that is available. So support your band, and chug, chug, chug!

Stay Metal!
Robert "Sharkruisher" Andersson

Iron Maiden - The Book of Souls (2015)

To say that this was the most anticipated record of 2015 is a massive understatement. It has been five very long years since one of the biggest and most influential metal bands of all time released their big progressive epic "The Final Frontier", a record most would think that it was the culmination of Iron Maiden's progressive era. How wrong we all were on that note.

Entering "The Book of Souls", a massive double album that would have been released earlier this year, but because of the news about Bruce's cancer tumours it got delayed, just to be sure that Bruce would be completely healthy and ready for another world tour. And even if this album was recorded before they discovered the tumours, it still feels awesome that Bruce sings with the same power, emotion and passion like he always has. It also feels good, but not at least surprising, that the rest of the band performs like they do, like true professionals. Steve Harris' exciting bass lines are loud and clear, just like it should be in a Maiden record, Nico McBrain's drumming never misses a beat, and all of the three guitarists share the workload equally in a record that is loaded with fantastic riffs and solos. The performance is just as you would expect, flawless.

Despite being a whole 16 minutes longer than its predecessor "The Final Frontier", I find "The Book of Souls" and its 92 minutes of playtime is a little easier to swallow down. Because even if the album should obviously be counted as a full on progressive record, with 3 out of the 11 songs going over the 10 minute mark, it has more of the old Maiden in it than what "The Final Frontier" had. I hear a little bit of "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son" here, and I hear a little "Powerslave" there, which does make me smile. It definitely feels like they want too keep evolving their sound, but uses influences from the past in doing so, which is kind of cool.

Just like in "The Final Frontier", it is the shorter and more simplistic songs that are the odd ones out in this record, mostly because they cannot hold up against the shear quality the epics contain, but that certainly does not mean that they outright suck. The first single, "Speed of Light", is up there with "The Wicker Man" as the best first single made by the band since the return of Bruce with its epic chorus and amazing bridge riff, one of the best riffs in the whole album. Then we have "Tears of A Clown", a nice homage to the comedian Robin Williams, whom took his own life over a year ago, but the song itself is kind of meh. A soft melody that you can easily listen too, but it is not something you would be amazed by. And while I do like "Death Or Glory" for bringing some good variety to the album with its fast pace, I cannot let go that the build up is more or less stolen from Black Sabbath's "Never Say Die". Cannot be unheard of, but it is still a great song that gives the second disc a running start. Another stolen bit, if you could say that since they stole it from themselves, is the opening part of "Shadows of The Valley". It is awfully similar to the opening part of "Wasted Years". The rest of the track has nothing to do with the song though, so it is all good (although they do mention "Sea of Madness", another track from my favourite Maiden record, "Somewhere In Time").

Besides these "low" points, "The Book of Souls" holds an amazingly high standard throughout all of the 92 minutes, which is mighty impressive since most bands who tries to make a double album falls through and are forced to fit in some fillers. And while some might find the long length of the songs and the piled up Iron Maiden cliches to be boring, I do not, since there is no other band like them. Not before, not today, and I doubt in the future either.

Judging the two discs individually, I would say that the first disc is the better one, just because it is more cohesive in its sound, while the second disc does not only lack the same quality as disc one, but also feels a little more torn apart in its sense of direction. But the biggest reason to why I enjoy disc one more is that it contains three of the strongest songs of the whole album. The opener "If Eternity Should Fail" has one of the mightiest intros I have ever heard of, and it is backed up with a nice catchy chorus and great playful ending. The title track shows just how good the band is at capturing a civilization into a heavy metal track, making this track the perfect representation for the Mayans.

But the absolute highlight of the album is without a shadow of a doubt "The Red And The Black". When I listened to this album the first time, together with a bunch of other Maiden fans in a listening party, it was obvious that this track was the most popular one, and I totally get why. From the devilish bass intro and the mesmerizing riffs, to the constant tempo changes and the seemingly endless solos, this track is one of the absolute best tracks the band has ever created. But the thing that really takes it up to that Maiden level is the sing along parts, that are very simplistic, but do it together with a group of people (being 10 or 10 000, doesn't matter) and it can shake the Earth. Despite its length of 13 minutes, it should have a rightful place in the set list of the coming tour, and could become a modern "Fear of The Dark".

The first disc is certainly favorable, but the second one has its greats moments as well, especially the most anticipated track of them all. Clocking in at 18 minutes and 1 second, "Empire of The Clouds" is the longest Maiden song ever created, and together with "If Eternity Should Fail", it is the first Maiden track since "Bring Your Daughter... To The Slaughter" that is entirely written by Dickinson. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed at it when I first heard it, but it has grown immensely on me. This song, like most great epics, is a grower and demands great focus and patience, with its slow and delicate opening (in which Bruce plays the piano!) that eventually gathers momentum the further it goes, only to end in another piano part. A truly stunning ending to an amazing double record.

We all have to realize that no matter how good the band is, and no matter how long they will go on for, Iron Maiden will never create another album as awesome like "Powerslave", "Somewhere In Time" or "Seventh Son...", so you just have to accept it. Once you do, it becomes perfectly clear that "The Book of Souls" is a fucking incredible record that just goes to show how good the band really is. Despite its length and despite it being a double album, it flies by extremely fast when listening through it, just because everything in it is so well done, so thought out, and so god damn orgasmic. This is definitely my favourite Maiden record from the 21st century, and it just makes me so excited for the upcoming tour, and to see what the band can produce in the future. I am still waiting for that full on concept album, do I dare to hope that it will become the band's next album project? I sure hope though that it does not take another five years for it to emerge, but if it holds the same quality as "The Book of Souls", then I will not mind at all. Up the Irons!

Songs worthy of recognition: The Red And The Black, If Eternity Should Fail, The Book of Souls, Death Or Glory, Empire of The Clouds

Rating: 9,5/10 Great Unknowns

Best of Iron Maiden

Another band's discography has been reviewed, so all that is left is to look back and see what was best and worst. Here is best of Iron Maiden.

Best albums

3. Powerslave

The Egyptian theme was not kept all the way through the album, but that does not take away that "Powerslave" is a hell of a album. With songs like the title track, "2 Minutes To Midnight" and "The Rime of The Ancient Mariner", you cannot fail.

2. Seventh Son of A Seventh Son

This album may mostly be remembered by its ultra epic title track, but "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son" is much more then pure epicness. Maiden shows their full register with tracks like "The Clairvoyant", "The Evil That Men Do" and "Can I Play With Madness". This album is the ultimate show of the band's skills and width.

1. Somewhere In Time

Both this album and "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son" got a perfect score, so why is this album superior? Easy, "Somewhere In Time" is filled with 8 catchy, groovy, melodic and awesome songs that are very easily likable. There is no filler in sight and the songwriting is just incredible. This is a album that shows all of Maiden's good sides. A perfect album from start to finish.

Worst album

The X Factor

What a chock  that I chose this album, right? Seriously, "The X Factor" is what I consider the only bad Maiden album because of its very dark theme and sluggish momentum. This was a experiment that went horribly wrong. If it had not been for "Man On the Edge" and "Judgement of Heaven", I would have totally despised that album for all eternity. And let us not forget that Blaze did not keep the same standard as Bruce, but we already knew that.

Best songs

5. Powerslave

If heavy metal was invented in ancient Egypt, I would be pretty sure that this would be one of the Pharaoh's favourite songs. Listen especially to that excellent big rock ending.

4. Fear of The Dark

This is one of the best live songs ever created, but even if some of the direct impact is lost on the CD, "Fear of The Dark" still remain as a hell of a roller coaster ride with memorable riffs and a infectious chorus.

3. The Loneliness of The Long Distance Runner

This is just one of several songs I wished Maiden would play live more often (only been played live once in Belgrade 1986). I dare you to find a chorus that has more epicness in it

2. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns

Maiden have done a ton of epic pieces, but this one takes the price. Great riffing, slamming beats, powerful vocals and a chorus that is more contagious then a zombie virus. Best song from the 21st century Maiden records.

1. Hallowed Be Thy Name

"Hallowed Be Thy Name" has every ingredient of being a fantastic masterpiece. A fantastic riff, great song structure and musicians that plays like clockwork. The whole song is perfection from the mellow start to the epic finisher. A song that is the definition of perfection.

Best album cover

Powerslave

We have seen Eddie as a mental patient, a time traveler, a war soldier, as the grim reaper and as an alien, but it stands pretty clear that Eddie looks best as an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh. The rest of the artwork is also kind of nice I guess.

Total discography verdict

Quality: 8/10

If it had not been for the albums released in the 90's, then I would have given a 9 or even a 10 if I was generous. But a band is only as strong as its weakest album, and Maiden have three low points ("No Prayer For The Dying", "The X Factor" and "Virtual XI") that drags down the rating.

Band Chemistry: 8/10

The current line-up has played together since 1999 and some of the members have been with the band even longer then that. But Steve Harris is the only original member left and has been since the middle of the 70's. Otherwise relatively few line-up changes during the band's 30+ year

Creativity: 9/10

This band can create any type of song. Fast, slow, short, long, catchy, epic and progressive. They have also learned to master all of these types during their years.

Musicality: 8/10

There is no doubt that Maiden has some talented musicians in its line up, but it is hard for them all to get enough spotlight attention (especially since there are three guitarists). But they divide the attention well and show us why they are in one of the biggest bands in history.

Lyrics: 9/10

The band is awesome at finding inspiration in the most random of places (poems, history or personal life) and the whole band is good at helping out each other to create the songs (except McBrain). But to get a full 10 I would have liked to see the band go full out on a specified concept, which they have not done yet (even though "Powerslave" and "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son" are very close).

Album rating summary
S/T: 8,5/10
Killers: 7,5/10
The Number of The Beast: 9/10
Piece of Mind: 7/10
Powerslave: 9,5/10
Somewhere In Time: 10/10
Seventh Son of A Seventh Son: 10/10
No Prayer For The Dying: 6/10
Fear of The Dark: 7,5/10
The X Factor: 4,5/10
Virtual XI: 6,5/10
Brave New World: 8/10
Dance of Death: 8,5/10
A Matter of Life And Death: 7/10
The Final Frontier: 8/10
The Book of Souls: 9,5/10

Average rating: 7,9375/10

So tell me, which album and song are your personal favourite and does Iron Maiden deserve the attention that they have? Leave your comments below. Stay metal and up the Irons.

Sharkruisher

Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier (2010)

With the full embracement of their progressive style in their previous album, it was pretty predictable that Iron Maiden would continue down that path in their 15th album. And sure enough, the band left the atmosphere and took their music out of this world with the 2010 release "The Final Frontier". A album that could hint to be Maiden's last (Steve Harris have even said that 15 albums is the amount that he thought his band would release), but in recent interviews, all the members have been positive of releasing future material.

Just like with its predecessor ("A Matter of Life And Death"), there are few songs in "The Final Frontier" that are easily digestible, and those songs are also the weak point with this album. The opening track is divided into two parts. The first part, "Satellite 15", Is a very interesting start with fast paced bass lines and a space like feeling. Unfortunately, this song gets completely wrecked when the title track kicks off with its predictable structure and annoying chorus. I wished that "Satellite 15" would have been a song of its own, since I think it would fit perfectly with the rest of the album. Out of the other easy tracks I would say that the epic "Coming Home" is the only one that qualifies in the recognition zone. It is a great track about Bruce's experiences in the aviation business and I definitely wished that they would have released this as a single instead of the hooky, but still slightly boring "El Dorado".

It stands very clear that it is the long and progressive songs that is running the show and there are a lot of them in the second half of the album. The last 5 songs have a total play time of 45:31, with the longest song, "Where The Wild Winds Blow", clocking in at 11:02 (third longest song, after "The Sign of The Cross" and "The Rime of The Ancient Mariner", in the Maiden catalog). I can honestly say that this album would have sunk if it was not for these 5 songs. Each song tells a own interesting story that is intriguing and raises the mood of the listener. From the "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son" inspired "Isle of Avalon" to the high soaring "The Talisman", the latter half of "The Final Frontier" is a showcase of Maiden's ultimate progressive strength. You might not see it instantly after the first couple of listening sessions, but if you take your time to appreciate the content, then the content will award you big time.

It is a little sad to see that this album is so clearly divided into two parts, 'cause I want to see what the band can do when they put out a album filled with epic stories and melodies. That is the clear weak point with this album together with the title track.

If it was not for the sluggish start, then I would rate "The Final Frontier" as the best album since "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son". It is really interesting to see Maiden spreading its wings and take its music where it has never been before, instead of just staying on the ground and play it safe. But this also have its price. "The Final Frontier" demands its listener and you cannot just speed it through in one go. If this would to be the last album by the band (which is highly unlikely), then I would be very proud of the band for closing their career with such a epic piece. Because in the end, this album is truly "out of this world" (he he).

Songs worthy of recognition: The Talisman, Coming Home, Where The Wild Winds Blow

Rating: 8/10 Alchemists

Iron Maiden - A Matter of Life And Death (2006)

We all know that Iron Maiden always have had a progressive vein in their music, but it was not until the release of the fourteenth album "A Matter of Life And Death" where the band really spread its wings and pushed their boundaries. Just the fact that the first single from the album was the heavy 7 minute piece "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", was enough evidence to prove that this album would be the band's grandest creation ever. But even if some of the strongest moments of the band has come through epic creations, I have always thought of "A Matter of Life And Death" as that mediocre album that every band eventually does. Sure, it was nice to hear that Maiden still evolved in their musical writing, but how good of a shape was they really in?

I will admit that this album has its moments. Some of the really epic pieces, like "For The Greater Good of God" and "Brighter Than A Thousand Suns", leaves a huge impression on me since they succeed in being grand and epic without taking it over the top. Also love the fact that "Brighter Than A Thousand Suns" changes its direction several times without losing the sight of its target. I also like the heaviness of "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", but I still think it is not suitable to be a single.

Those three are the top marks of "A Matter of Life And Death", so it bums me out that the rest of the album does not hold the same standard. The second single "Different World" (whom just like "Wildest Dreams" have a great animated music video) is a nice song, but it feels largely misplaced together with all these progressive tunes, and "These Colours Don't Run" has a good epic feel, but the chorus feels like someone slammed the brakes in the middle of a Formula 1 race. And the rest? Well, they are either missing a notable personality or they are just not good enough. None of the songs are necessarily bad, they are just not good enough to get a big recognition.

I also have to make a remark on the production of this album. This album is actually not mastered. The reason is that Steve Harris wanted a more Live like sound. It definitely sounds good, but I miss some of Harris's sweet bass lines in this album. Otherwise, there is very little to complain about the production, it is more or less flawless as usual. And by the way, this is without a doubt the worst album cover in the Maiden discography just because Eddie does not take as much space as he usually does (he is on top of the tank, for those of you who has not noticed).

"A Matter of Life And Death" is certainly a good album, but this was the first album in the Maiden discography that I would label under progressive metal. The band is making a good effort and lands on a few big hits with "Brighter Than A Thousand Suns" and "For The Greater Good of God", but not even Maiden is good enough to get something new right the first time around. So this album gets a respectable 7 from me, the same rating I gave "Piece of Mind". And I can guarantee that if you loved "Piece of Mind", then you will probably learn to love "A Matter of Life And Death" just as much.

Songs worthy of recognition: Brighter Than A Thousand Suns, For The Greater Good of God, The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg

Rating: 7/10 Pilgrims

Iron Maiden - Dance of Death (2003)

Seeing Iron Maiden's mascot normally is horrifying itself, but on Maiden's 13th album, Eddie is posing as death himself together with several half naked persons with disturbing masks (and a white hell dog). This is clearly the most disturbing Maiden cover up to date, but luckily it does not show how the sound of the album will be. Yes, "Dance of Death" is not a disturbing experience, it is instead a continuation of the sound that the band showed in the previous release "Brave New World".

The most interesting parts with this album is actually that this album contains the only song where drummer Nicko McBrain has songwriting credit ("New Frontier") and Maiden's first acoustic song ("Journeyman"). "Journeyman" is nothing special, but I like the modern style that "New Frontier" has together with the soft chorus that is easily enjoyable.

The album starts otherwise in a powerful way with the two singles "Wildest Dreams" and "Rainmaker". I can still remember the music video of "Wildest Dreams" where a animated Bruce Dickinson races through the pits of hell and into Eddie's mouth. Definitely one of my favourite music videos of all time. The song itself is a perfect single with its infecting chorus and straight forward attitude, but it does not offer something special to make it fully stand out. "Rainmaker" however does have that little extra something. It may be the shortest song in the album, but the epicness is still great and the sing a long factor is incredibly high. And let us not forget that bitching solo that is just Maiden out to the fingertips.

The epicness continues in "No More Lies", and even though the chorus can be somewhat repetetive, the song still holds a strong power and musicality that is out of this world. The epicness reaches its peak in the title track where it takes you to a camp fire where everyone is dancing round for the reaper. This track definitely holds the same epic standards as "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son" and "Rime of The Ancient Mariner", but it is the speed in the second half that makes it truly stand out.

The last song that stands out is the highly praised "Paschendale". I do not think that "Paschendale" is the strongest piece in the album, but I can see why this song has been so praised with its groovy rhythm and effective right, right, left combination that easily knocks you down. I also think that "Paschendale" represents the album well. "Dance of Death" is powerful, but it still has that epic vein that just makes it pop.

The one weakness with "Dance of Death" is that it is a pretty long album (over one hour) which would be a disadvantage for listeners with short free time. But the biggest weakness is the track "Age of Innocence". It has the Maiden musicality, but it is more or less a pop or soft rock song. That chorus is so cheesy that it is a Packers fan.

Just like "Brave New World", "Dance of Death" shows the best from Maiden's fast and progressive side. The reason why I have rated this album higher is that the overall song standard is higher and that the band found a special sound that was kept through the whole album. The album lacks something really special to make it a masterpiece, but I am sure that the grim reaper is pretty happy that Iron Maiden did such a fine album with him as the main character.

Songs worthy of recognition: Dance of Death, No More Lies, Paschendale, Rainmaker

Rating: 8,5/10 Journeymen

Iron Maiden - Brave New World (2000)

Out of the 90's and into the new millennium. How did Iron Maiden celebrate the entrance of the 21st century? By welcoming back Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith to the line-up and creating their 12th album entitled "Brave New World". This album is mostly recognized as Maiden's comeback album after the Blaze Bayley era, but also as the first Maiden album that contains three guitarists (Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers). A combination that just screamed success.

So a lot of the focus were on Bruce and Adrian, and I got to say that it feels like they never left the band. They found their place quickly and they showed that they have not lost their touch. And the rest of the band is showing that they have found back to their old ways. Nicko is playing some great beats, Janick and Dave complement good together with Adrian and Steve is great as usual.

The rebirth is also shown in the song writing. Never before have Iron Maiden found such a great mix between their progressive and heavy sides. Some of the heavier songs are the catchy "The Wicker Man", the retro like "The Mercenary" and the epic "Out of The Silent Planet". But it is the progressive songs that dominates the album with their grand sound. Some show stoppers are the emotional title track, the heart warming "Blood Brothers" and the soaring "The Thin Line Between Love And Hate". But the song that impresses the most on this album is "Dream of Mirrors". It may not be a suitable song for those who are impatient, but after the slow and spiritual first half, the band is shifting to fifth gear and comes at you with galloping double bass drums, amazing riffs and a chorus that you cannot whisper, you must scream it out loud until your neighbours get pissed (or starts to sing a long). Yes, "Dream of Mirrors" is the ultimate display of Maiden's fast and slow personality together with musicality so great that it takes three guitarists to make it justice.

Even though I like that Maiden is showing the both sides of the same coin, I actually would prefer that the band chose a specified direction and went through with it the whole album. Do not get me wrong, variety in a album is a must, but if there is too much variety, then the album looks like it is trying to find a personality, but cannot decide which one will do. Then I also find that "The Fallen Angel" and "The Nomad" are pretty pale and could have easily been replaced by something more thrilling. Such a shame since "Brave New World" has several exciting moments that puts it up in the same heights as some of the best Maiden albums.

For a "comeback" album, "Brave New World" is a very good album. The variety is at its top and the band has found the passion that they lost during the 90's. There are still some edges that needs to be fixed, but "Brave New World" is a proof that the Maiden is back to kick some mayor ass again. A brave new album from a brave old band.

Songs worthy of recognition: Dream of Mirrors, Out of The Silent Planet, Blood Brothers

Rating: 8/10 Fallen Angels

Alcohol review: Iron Maiden Trooper Ale

Those of you who have any sort of heavy metal knowledge knows that Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson is a man with many talents. Besides from being a great singer in one of the biggest bands on earth, he is also an airline pilot and an world class entrepreneur. Earlier this year he revealed his latest business idea. In cooperation with Robisons Brewery, Bruce has developed a own brand of beer called Trooper (of course, named after the famous Iron Maiden song "The Trooper"). The beer itself is an Ale with a 4.7 % alcohol volume and is described as a beer with a true depth of character. The cost of the beer here in Sweden is roughly 330 SEK (about 49 US Dollars or 33 British Pounds) for twelve half litre bottles, which is a decent price.

So let us get started with the review part, and after some thought, I have decided to divide it into three parts. Okay for you? Well screw you too, I will do it my way.

Color: What do you think I will say about the color? If you guessed that I would say golden brown, then you were correct. A typical beer color that is reliable and says "come here and drink me now". A classic color that never gets old.

Taste: I have recently been to England, so I had a hunch on what the taste would be like. It may have a slight rough taste, but the hint of citric acid in the back is pleasant. And most importantly, it tasted like England. If it did not, then I would have been disappointed. Not the best beer I have tasted, but certainly far from worst.

Strength: I can definitely feel some strength in the beer, but it is still a very smooth beer that easily gets down your throat. Reminds me actually of the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War where 600 British soldiers attacked a huge Russian army. Just like the beer, the British men stood their ground a while only to fall . And yes, the Battle of Balaclava inspired "The Trooper".

So what is the final verdict? I would say that Bruce has once again done a great deal. The beer is smooth and tasty, and even though there are cheaper alternatives out there, Trooper Ale is sure a must try for both Iron Maiden fans and beer enthusiast all over the world. Up the Irons!!!

Rating: 8,5/10 Armies

Iron Maiden - Virtual XI (1998)

"Virtual XI" is the second (and last) album with Blaze Bayley and also the only album where Blaze was a part of the song writing process. And after hearing this album, I can definitely hear that Blaze has contributed a lot on the material. Some of the songs, especially "The Angel And The Gambler", has influences from Blaze's current band Wolfsbane. So instead of the dark and absorbing sound that was present in "The X Factor", "Virtual XI" is more of a upbeat album with some classic rock elements. You may ask, is these influences good or bad? Well, they help to make the album more memorable then its predecessor, but I still feel that it is not one hundred percent Maiden, even though I can accept it.

It is instantly clear that the band has left behind the experimental failure known as "The X Factor" behind them. The opening track "Futureal" is more like the good old Maiden with the speed and the chorus that has that classic mix of epicness and catchiness that Maiden is known for. A good way to start off "Virtual XI", but compared to similar tracks like "Running Free" and "Heaven Can Wait", "Futureal" is still behind. Afterwards comes "The Angel And The Gambler", a track I have already stated that it is a Wolfsbane song in disguise. It is still one of the trump cards in this album, but was it necessary to put in the line "Don't you think I'm a saviour/Don't you think I could save you/Don't you think I could save your life" so many times in this song? It gets very repetitive very quickly.

"The Angel And the Gambler" is the longest song in the bunch, but there are two other epics in "Virtual XI". First we have the 9 minute long "The Clansman" that has the biggest epic factor in the album, but its weakness is that it is not a memorable epic. The other epic, 8 minute long "Don't Look To The Eyes of A Stranger", is some what of a opposite. It is a pretty repetitive track, but it has the speed, riffs and feeling that makes me think back to the other classic Maiden epics like "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son" and "Rime of The Ancient Mariner". This is definitely my favourite track in the Blaze era, especially since Blaze finally managed to perform some great singing in this track.

The rest of the songs on "Virtual XI" keeps the momentum going. But there is two songs that stands out a little extra. One is of course the well recognized ballad "Como Estais Amigos" (Spanish for how are you, friends) that closes the album in a beautiful and impressive way. The other song is the determined and groovy "The Educated Fool". It is an under appreciated song that impresses with its epic chorus and fine riff work. Sure, Blaze does not do his strongest effort here, but I feel that Gers's and Murray's guitar playing makes up for it.

It stands very clear that this is the best Maiden album with Blaze Bayley on vocals, but it is still far behind most of the albums in the Maiden catalog. The epicness is there, the catchy tunes are there, the musicality is there, but it is clear that the true soul and inspiration is gone. But just like with "The X Factor", how many did actually expect "Virtual XI" to become a new Maiden classic? I know that I did not, and for that, I could actually enjoy the album, even though it did not reach that extra level.

Songs worthy of recognition: Don't Look To The Eyes of A Stranger, Futureal, The Educated Fool

Rating: 6,5/10 Clansmen

Iron Maiden - The X Factor (1995)

Iron Maiden's 10th album "The X Factor" is mostly recognized as the first record since the 1981 album "Killers" without Bruce Dickinson, who left the band to pursue a solo career. Instead, we have Blaze Bayley, who today is known as the singer of Wolfsbane, Blaze Bayley and the newly composed band The Foundry. A good replacement? Well, sadly no. No offense Blaze, you are a really good singer, but you do not have the same power and range like Dickinson have. So you would see that "The X Factor" was doomed from the very beginning.

Just by looking at the cover, where Eddie is being gruesomely tortured, you could already hint that "The X Factor" would become the darkest Maiden piece up to date. Just the fact that the band starts the album with the 11 minute epic "Sign of The Cross" is just dark and twisted. The song is good, but it is more suited as a closing song instead of a opener. And that song is a big proof that Bruce is a lot better on these epic and long notes then what Blaze will ever be.

"Sign of The Cross" is together with "Lord of The Flies" and "Man On The Edge" the most famous song on "The X Factor", and all of these three songs are first on this album. "Lord of The Flies" has a good riff and a catchy melody, while "Man On The Edge" emerges as a powder keg filled with a "Aces High" beat and a repetitive, but epic and great chorus.

So "The X Factor" is strong from the starting blocks, but it loses some of the momentum during the race. The sluggish "Fortunes of War" starts the downward slope, even if it picks up some speed in the end. The ride down continues with "Look For The Truth" and "The Aftermath", two very anonymous songs that needs heavy duty glue to stick onto my head.

But as the finish line is visible on the horizon, "The X Factor" picks up speed again and finally starts to deliver. First is "Judgement of Heaven" that impresses with its epic musicality and inspiring lyrical theme. Then we have the aggressive "Blood On The World's Hands" that has the best beat and the best vocal performance on this album, but the minute long slow start could have easily been skipped. The last song that leaves a standing impression on me is the emotional "2 AM" that has some of the best musical work on this album.

But the overall performance is weak. The darkness in this album weighs down the otherwise fantastic ingenuity that the band usually shows and Blaze's voice tries hard, but it cannot give the music that special dimension that Bruce's voice can. There are some bright spots in "Man On The Edge" and "Judgement of Heaven", but this album is just a very pale, dark rip off compared to the likes of "Powerslave" and "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son". If you are a Maiden fan or wish to look into the band's discography, take caution with this album. Because this is far from the Maiden that we know and love.

Songs worthy of recognition: Man On The Edge, Judgement of Heaven, Blood On The World's Hands

Rating: 4,5/10 Aftermaths