Disco de Iron Maiden: “Fear of the Dark [Limited]”

For some reason, this album has a lot of negative stigma attached to it, and I have no idea why. No, it doesn't sound like Maiden's awesome 80's efforts ("Piece Of Mind", "Powerslave", etc). It's a pretty big change in style, but it's still pretty damn good (and even better where you compare it to Maiden's last release, the average "No Prayer For The Dying".

First off, let me say what's bad about this album: Bruce, man, what happened to your voice? It's not anywhere as odd as it was on "No Prayer", but really, it doesn't sound as if Bruce was trying as hard here as he was on previous albums. Also, there are a few filler tracks here, such as "Fear Is The Key" and "Weekend Warrior", that kind of take away from the album. "But," you say, "you can skip over the tracks you don't like!" To which I reply, that's true... but this is IRON MAIDEN we're talking about here! If it had been any other band, this would probably be a 5-star effort. But I hold Maiden up to a far higher standard than most other bands, and having filler on a Maiden album is simply unacceptable. Period.

Then why did I give this album four stars? Because there's much to enjoy here as well. "Be Quick Or Be Dead" is one of my favorite Maiden opening tracks, "Afraid To Shoot Strangers" is a beautiful ballad that I definitely enjoy, and "Childhood's End", "The Fugitive", "The Apparition", and "Judas Be My Guide" are all catchy, enjoyable tracks. And, of course, there's the awesome title track, which is, to this day, one of my favorite Maiden songs, hands down. Most of the people who trash the album even like this song.

So, yes, there's lots for Maiden fans to enjoy here, but it's not of the band's greatest albums. If you're new to the band, i'd recommend that you start elsewhere (probably with their mid-80's albums), but once you've picked up a few Maiden records, then come back here and buy this one as well. If you're already into Maiden but are hesitant to buy this album, I say download a few of the better tracks (and make sure you get the title track), and see if you like what you hear.

It does seem that many people whether fans or not, don't like this album. It does seem this way because some of the songs are weak. There is no point in masking the truth. I find it hard to enjoy The Apparition and Weekend Warrior. Wasting Love and From Here to Enternity lack in areas too, but if you took those away you'd have a killer album. But as they are there you may be wondering why I gave Fear of the Dark five stars. Frankly no album or even song is perfect, there's always somehting that's annoying. Then fans don't like the album because of Janick being in the band (it's BS), but don't get me started on that. He's a great guitarist. Anyhow, the album opens with the riveting Be Quick Or Be Dead. Great Guitars and sounds good live too. From Here To Eternity, lyrics aren't that imaginative, but Steve deserves to have a little slack. My Second Favorite Song is Afraid to Shoot Strangers. Written by Steve, its about the souls who fought in the Gulf war. The beginning is so subtle; its a gentle guitar tune that explodes into a inferno of percussion. Then at the end, it winds down back to the same guitar tune. It's terrific. Fear is the Key is tolerable and has a good beat. Childhood's end is my third second favorite song. Great lyrics. Wasting Love has intersting drums if you listen closely. The Fugitive is my third first favorite song. It's about a fugitive (DUH!). It has a distinctive chorus and great bass playing. Chains of Misery is has a kind of swing beat to it that's somehow pleasing to listen to.

The Apparition is incredibly irritating. There's a heavy whack on the snare drum and obnoxious guitar filling between it for almost the whole song. Judas Be My Guide is a welcome change. The chorus of this song is probably the best one on the album. Weekend Warrior is so surprisingly grotesque that I would have had to write Parental Discretion Advised as the title or the first sentence of the is review. And finally, we have the album titled song. I'll start by saying all the songs on this album could "be real bad" besides the last one but I'd still get for Fear of the Dark. (Actually I'd probably just get the single). This song however is totally, completely, there's no other word for it, Kick-"butt"!There's a mass of commotion to start it off, but then, like Afraid to Shoot Strangers, it goes quiet with the humming guitar. Then it launches itself into a whirling tornado of music and lyrics. This song is unbelievable. It quiets down at the end again and then fades out. What a song!! I urge you to look for a live edition of it too, because I am sure this one was written to be played onstage! It will knock your socks off I swear to God. In short, this album desererves a lot more respect than its receiving.

I can't understand why people talk so much trash about Janick. This album is a great album. There are some great songs on here. Janick is a damn good guitar player. I have been playing myself for 7 years and I'm sure he's probably a whole lot better than the people who criticize his playing. Besides in my opinion Dave Murray is the heart and soul of the Maiden guitar sound anyway. Well enough defending Janick. Anyway, about the songs. They are all pretty good. I guess The Apparition and Fear is the Key could be considered fillers (my reason for only 4 stars) but they are Maiden which makes them pretty decent. Be Quick, Fear of the Dark, Afraid to Shoot Strangers are the classics and in many cases the reason people buy this album. Judas Be My Guide was one song that surprised me. I love that song, I haven't had the CD long enough to decide whether or not it's my favorite off this one. The Fugitive, Wasting Love, Chains of Misery, Childhoods End, and Weekend Warrior are all great Maiden songs. Even Adrian fans should give it a chance. If not for anything else check it out because it's Maiden.

This album takes alot of abuse because of some real stinkers that made it by 'Maiden Quality Control', but for the most part THIS IS A GOOD ALBUM. Don't stand still for people telling you how worthless it is.

Be Quick or Be Dead and From Here to Eternity are good enough Hard Rock tracks, Wasted Love and Judas Be my Guide are REALLY GOOD SONGS. Childhoods end, Afraid to shoot Strangers, and the title track itself are all as good as anything Iron Maiden has ever done on ANY album.

That's seven good songs right there, enough for most albums, and the songs Fear is the Key and the Fugitive are decent enough songs to make the cut for any Maiden album. Even Powerslave had "Back in the Village" after all.

This albums entire bad reputation lies on three complete SNAFU'd songs that Maiden let onto the album in some vain attempt to inflate the track total and running time. Weekend Warrior (bad AC/DC song basically), Chains of Misery (annoying AND repetitive), and The Apparition..which is the worst song I've ever heard in my ENTIRE LIFE, no hyperbole intended.

If this had been a typical 8-9 song Maiden album, it would be remembered as a comeback from NO PRAYER FOR THE DYING, and a classic album. But because someone wanted more songs...your typical fan hates it. I do reccomend this album, but get it in CD form. You're going to want to skip a handful of tracks to get to the truly GREAT songs that really really are on this album.

A lot of people hate this album because they think most songs here are fillers and the three bad songs. I don't like those three songs either but I like most of the others with two incredible songs that work everything out. Janick is a great guitarist by the way.

1. BE QUICK OR BE DEAD (9.5/10)

2. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (8.5/10)

3. AFRAID TO SHOOT STRANGERS (11/10)

4. FEAR IS THE KEY (7/10)

5. CHILDHOOD'S END (8.5/10)

6. WASTING LOVE (8/10)

7. THE FUGITIVE (9/10)

8. CHAINS OF MISERY (8.5/10)

9. THE APPARITION (6/10)

10. JUDAS BE MY GUIDE (9/10)

11. WEEKEND WARRIOR (6.5/10)

12. FEAR OF THE DARK (10/10)

I still think this album is worth picking up even though it has three bad songs. I don't know why Maiden didn't just excluded those songs from the album. This would've been a great album if it weren't for those cursed songs!