Iron Maiden's Reviews

Piece Of Mind

Peace of Mind? Not really...

Maiden were real big at the Time this album came out, due to the hughe Success of NUMBER OF THE BEAST. With Bruce at the helm they had become the best metal band ever, even if that word didn't even exist when Maiden started. PIECE OF MIND has them taking no prisoners, trying to establish their status as Metal Band No.1. They suceed, halfway.

Piece of Mind is Nico's entrity into Maiden and he shows off brilliantly on all 9 songs. Bruce is on top of his value but he overdoes himself way too much. The album opener "Where Eagles dare" demonstrates just what people either love or hate about him, his high-pitch yelling often borders on the line of pretitiousnes. He's a brilliant singer, perhaps one of the best in Rock, but his aims at a "air raid siren" are pretty hard to listen . He doesn't need this at all, and he shows in "Revelations" and "Still Life". Unfortunately, nearly every song here has a chorus that makes you wish he wouldn't try. "Die with your Boots on" is a prime example. However, once his vocals have grown on you this album still doesn't deliver enough to deserve all the praise.

"The Trooper", "Flight of Icarus" and "Revelations" are the only real highlights on this album. The rest is either average, "Quest for Fire" is even one of the worst Maiden songs ever. That song alone demonstrates how Metal often overdoes itself in clichès and sillyness. None of that was on Maiden's previous albums. "To tame a Land" tries hard to be another "Hallowed be thy Name" but needless to say, it fails. "Sun and Steel", "Die with your Boots on" and "Still Life" are good songs but they aren't entirely up what Maiden are capable of.

All in all, this is a solid but pretty flawed album. I wouldn't want to live without it but it really isn't one of my most-played Maiden albums. If you are new to Maiden try "Number of the Beast" or "Powerslave". "Piece of Mind" should be saved for the last in Maiden's prime time.

Buy this album on Amazon at $16.98