Piece Of Mind [2015 Remaster] [180g LP]

by Iron Maiden

Overview

The second of three straight iconic Iron Maiden albums, Piece of Mind marks the debut of what many regard as the definitive Maiden lineup, with the arrival of new drummer Nicko McBrain. McBrain's ability to duplicate the complex patterns of the guitar and bass riffs gives the band a seamless ensemble unity. Even Steve Harris, whose busy basslines were never exactly groove-oriented, has never felt more integrated into the overall sound. Perhaps part of that feeling comes from the less frantic pace; the average tempo has slowed somewhat from the preceding album, and the hold-over punk influences still present there have been completely eradicated. Instead, we get a few moodier, heavier pieces (especially "Revelations") that make the album darker-sounding overall. We also get greater involvement in the songwriting from Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith, whose themes are perfectly in tune with Steve Harris' epic storytelling. Nearly every song here was inspired by movies or literature, whether it's history, mythology, sci-fi, or fantasy; this approach got them tagged as a thinking-man's metal band, and certainly provided a lyrical blueprint for Anthrax. No less than four songs are about battles and warriors, and a couple are about flying, underscoring the heights of the drama that the band is aiming for. The centerpiece of the album is, of course, "The Trooper," an all-time genre classic that boasts Murray and Smith's most memorable harmonized lead riff, plus that trademark galloping rhythm. A retelling of the Greek myth "Flight of Icarus" was the other British hit single, boasting an appropriately soaring chorus. Album opener "Where Eagles Dare" is the other flight song, recounting a WWII spy thriller and featuring one of McBrain's signature performances with the band. If much of Piece of Mind ranks as state-of-the-art heavy metal, it is true that the second half dips a bit from the first. "Quest for Fire" is many a die-hard fan's least favorite track from the glory years; the melody is rather stiff and simple, and the lyrics are about cavemen, rendering Dickinson's operatics ("In a tiiiiiime when dinosaurs walked the eaaaaaarth") a bit ridiculous. Among the serious-minded Maiden faithful, there's no less forgivable sin than silliness (no matter how entertaining it might be). Fans also bemoan the relative simplicity of the samurai tale "Sun and Steel." However, the album closes on a big, progressive note with "To Tame a Land," an epic retelling of Frank Herbert's Dune that evokes the desert planet via Middle Eastern guitar melodies. In the end, even if Piece of Mind is the most obviously inconsistent of the classic Maiden trilogy, its many high points are no less awe-inspiring, and it's no less essential for anyone with even the most basic interest in heavy metal. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	02/14/2025
Label:	Bmg
UPC:	4050538906370

Tracks

1. Where Eagles Dare
2. Revelations
3. Flight of Icarus
4. Die With Your Boots On
5. The Trooper
6. Still Life
7. Quest for Fire
8. Sun and Steel
9. To Tame a Land

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Iron Maiden   Primary Artist
Steve Harris   Bass,Vocals,Guitar (Bass)
Clive Burr   Drums
Nicko McBrain   Drums
Adrian Smith   Guitar,Vocals
Bruce Dickinson   Guitar,Vocals
Dave Murray   Guitar
Dennis Stratton   Guitar,Vocals
David Murray   Guitar
Paul Di'Anno   Vocals

Technical Credits

Frank Gibson   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Steve Harris   Composer
Simon Heyworth   Engineer,Remastering,Digital Remastering
Ian Paice   Composer
Ian Gillan   Composer
Iron Maiden   Concept,Sleeve Idea,Sleeve Design
Irwin Levine   Composer
Janick Gers   Composer
Roger Glover   Composer
Martin Birch   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Reginald Connelly   Composer
Adrian Smith   Composer
Bruce Dickinson   Composer
Dave Murray   Composer
Ritchie Blackmore   Composer
Greg Macainsh   Composer
Denis Haliburton   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Jim Yukich   Video Director
James Campbell   Composer
AMX Studios   Design,Producer
Derek Riggs   Sleeve Idea,Sleeve Design,Cover Illustration
Ross Halfin   Photography
Rod Smallwood   Concept,Sleeve Idea,Sleeve Design
Dennis Halliburton   Engineer
Tony Newton   Remastering Engineer
Robert Ellis   Photography
David Murray   Composer
Ade Emsley   Remastering Engineer
Bruce Buchhalter   Mixing,Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Simon Fowler   Photography
Paul Di'Anno   Composer
Jon Lord   Composer