1990 was a year of transition for Iron Maiden as Adrian Smith had left the band earlier to form ASAP, becoming the first member to leave the group since Clive Burr (drums) in 1983 and ending their most successful lineup.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Iron Maiden
ALBUM: No Prayer For The Dying
LABEL: EMI
SERIAL: CDP 79 5142 2
YEAR: 1990
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Bruce Dickinson – vocals * Dave Murray – guitars * Janick Gers – guitars * Steve Harris – bass * Nicko McBrain – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Tailgunner * 02 Holy Smoke * 03 No Prayer For The Dying * 04 Public Enema Number One * 05 Fates Warning * 06 The Assassin * 07 Run Silent Run Deep * 08 Hooks In You * 09 Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter * 10 Mother Russia
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
1990 was a year of transition for Iron Maiden as Adrian Smith had left the band earlier to form ASAP, becoming the first member to leave the group since Clive Burr (drums) in 1983 and ending their most successful lineup. He was promptly replaced by Janick Gers (White Spirit, Gillan, Fish), a veteran of the NWOBHM scene, and a natural fit for the group. Rumours were also rife of Dickinson’s imminent departure, the success of his solo venture ‘Tattooed Millionare’ caused many to assume he was next to jump ship.
It proved to be untrue for the time being, Dickinson splitting three years later however. ‘No Prayer For The Dying’ was pegged as a back to basics affair, full-on heavy metal that ignored the synths and concepts of 1986’s ‘Somewhere In Time’ and 1988’s ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’. Iron Maiden were as popular as ever, the album went no 2 in Britain and 17 in the US. More importantly they scored their first no 1 single, as ‘Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter’ hit the top spot, unheard of for true metal singles.
The Songs
‘Tailgunner’ opens in the same manner as ‘Aces High’ did in 1984, a World War II anthem which sounds as if it were recorded live. The sound is pleasantly raw, a timely departure from the perfectionist approach of the last two albums. Gers ensures Smith is not missed as he adds his own identifiable style, slightly more untamed than the often-restrained Smith.
‘Holy Smoke’ was another hit single, no 3, aided by a roaringly catchy chorus, always a strong suit of theirs. The title cut is the first glimpse into Iron Maiden’s 90’s musical direction, starting out slowly with Michael Kenney’s keyboards, before speeding up mid song, finally regressing back to its slower state by songs end. Here it isn’t as forced as on 1995’s ‘The X Factor’, which overdid this aspect.
Highlight after highlight follows, ‘Public Enema Number One’ and ‘Fates Warning’ hammer home the message of the stripped down sound, bare boned heaviness. The memorable ‘The Assassin’ rides an instantly classic chanted chorus, and the band itself is in form during the instrumental sections, moving at aggressive pace. The galloping riffs of ‘Run Silent Run Deep’ are straight from the Deep Purple handbook of 1970, undeniable British metal that puts Judas Priest and Saxon to the sword.
The fury doesn’t relent as ‘Hooks In You’ takes Montrose‘s ‘Rock The Nation’ riff to another level, layering it to the point of near mania. ‘Bring Your Daughter, .To The Slaughter’ and ‘Mother Russia’ aren’t as accomplished, although the latter summons up fine atmospherics through epic riffs and haunting keyboards.
In Summary
Opinions were initially divided on the album. Some saw Iron Maiden as a vintage return to form, while others regarded it as a step in the wrong direction. Dickinson would later say he was embarrassed by the production, recorded at Steve Harris’ barn on a mobile unit, which he considered bush league to the likes of Queensryche.
Harris countered by saying he wanted a spontaneous feel to the music, with barely any overdubs. In 2003, thirteen years later, this stands above anything Iron Maiden have done since. The mostly plodding ‘Fear Of The Dark (1992) and ‘The X-Factor’ (1995) had none of the urgency and metal heroics on offer here. It’s refreshing also to see the lads dressed in jeans and leather jackets in the sleeve photos as well. Considering the appalling decade ahead this might be one of the last great metal albums of all time.
Videos
Tailgunner
Holy Smoke
