Somewhere In Time 2015

Great CD and good music.

Masterpieces are works that outlast their creators; even if those creators are still around. Such significant pieces define the artist, and in the realm of music the examples are so many: The Beatles' 'Revolver', The Rolling Stones' 'Sticky Fingers', Led Zeppelin's fourth album 'Zoso'. Their preceding albums are the buildup to that monumental apex, the peak, of where they are at their best, but most importantly of all where it all just comes together and where minor flaws just don't even exist. Though many will disagree with this humble opinionator, Iron Maiden reached their perfection with 'Somewhere in Time'. Just as Iron Maiden could not get any better after 'Powerslave', they prove all wrong with unforgettable heavy metal classic.As many have said before me, this is Iron Maiden at it's peak; ironic because looking back it was obvious to them because throughout the album there is evidence they don't pass it up. The album as a whole has an energy rooted heavily into metal, but it is so infectious and listenable non-metal/Maiden fans can be drawn in. There are solo interludes, but they're limited but for good reason: sometimes lead guitar solos can kill momentum in a song. In fact, I dare say it's drummer Nicko McBrain's instrument leading the way, bashing away with a combination of John Bonham power and Keith Moon precision. By and large Nicko's best work on any Maiden album.Bruce Dickinson is at his signature best here with challenging ranges, singing the songs penned by Adrian Smith and Steve Harris. All three seemingly had made sure Dickinson's power was not underused and at the same time made certain every word was just as understandable as the last, so vocals and music flowed evenly. The singing misses found on 'Piece of Mind' and 'Powerslave' are nowhere to be found on this album.Though this album does signal a transition of sound in Iron Maiden with the addition of guitar synth you wouldn't know it by listening. It's the perfection of the old sound from 'Piece', from 'Powerslave', from 'Number of the Beast. You hear it -- in my opinion -- in one of the greatest songs of all time, "Wasted Years"; a five-plus minute introspective of Iron Maiden's touring life, filled with regret, realization, and reality. That definitive tipping point song; where Zeppelin had 'Kasmir', Maiden's 'Wasted Years' is that exact location where the bridge of Old Maiden and New Maiden meet, shake hands, and share tea.Without 'Wasted Years', the other songs by themselves would own the whole album. Iron Maiden wastes no time, no pun intended, with the intro song 'Caught Somewhere in Time'. A slow build up to start, but once we clear the start the blitz is hard, charging, and in your face. Dickinson is literally five inches in front of you, singing the song. Until the album 'Brave New World', no one would realize that the songs 'Sea of Madness' and 'Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner' were precursors to that future (and brilliant) release. 'Stranger in a Strange Land' and 'Heaven Can Wait' have lead ins and winks to the past to remind us that nothing has been left behind. The last track, 'Alexander the Great', would have been the track, if not for 'Wasted Years', that would have bridge the old sound and new sound of Maiden, where Maiden was not afraid to have a collection of eight minute songs on an album.Even if you are not a heavy metal or Iron Maiden fan, this album represents so much in terms of musical quality and unleashed youth. We would like such purity in every release from our favorite musicians, but the truth is such purity is as unpredictable as a lightening strike, insomuch as if it will strike twice. Some say it does, but all I can say is this: 'Somewhere in Time' stands the test of time with any release, and even for non-Iron Maiden fans it cannot be passed up.

Honestly, I should have done this review a while ago, but then again, considering the fact that I now have over 800 CDs worth of music (and counting), combined with how busy I am between work, home life and friends, I have had time for only so many reviews - that is, relatively. Anyways, having been a fan of heavy metal music, both great classic metal like this from the `80s and modern underground metal of today, I think I should have owned this album much sooner. I received my first ever true metal album, Metallica's Kill `Em All, when I was about 15 years old, and was completely blown away. Given that, I find it almost stupid that I did not own this album by the mighty and legendary Iron Maiden until I was 24!Although this album has been criticized for its use of guitar synthesizers on some of the songs, I really do not have any issue with it whatsoever. I find every song on this album to be mind-blowingly epic in every sense of the word on every imaginable level. With almost every song exceeding five minutes in length, it demonstrates the sheer passion, emotion, complexity and technicality for which true classic metal such as this is known. After all, there is a reason Iron Maiden are considered one of the most important contributors to the development of what some people call "metal as we know it" and I could not agree more. Bruce Dickinson's high-flying voice, Adrian Smith's mighty guitar solos, Nicko McBrian's insane drumming, plus so much more... honestly, what more can any Maiden fan want?My personal favorites on this album (even though I do love every song on the album from beginning to end):"Caught Somewhere In Time""Wasted Years""Heaven Can Wait""Alexander the Great"This album, for obvious reasons, is one of my all-time favorite metal albums from the `80s, hands down. It has turned out to be one of my favorite albums to work out to at my local gym, especially whenever I go for extended runs on the elliptical machines or treadmills; is really helps one to get their legs moving and ticking that calorie counter up higher and higher! Honestly, and needless to say, it is the definition of classic `80s metal, no questions asked.What I also want to point out is that if not for Iron Maiden, NONE of the following bands would exist:Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Overkill, Annihilator, Testament, Blind Guardian, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Stratovarius, Firewind, Hammerfall, Kamelot, Primal Fear, Rhapsody of Fire, Sonata Arctica, Theocracy, Thunderstone, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Mindwarp Chamber, Royal Hunt, Seventh Wonder, Voyager, Nightwish, Xandria... honestly, there are WAY too many to list!Overall, if you consider yourself a true metalhead, then it makes absolutely NO SENSE for you not to own this album. It has what every metalhead could ask for. Most importantly, as I have said this on a number of my other reviews on a variety of other musicians/bands/artists, epic music like this never gets old. NEVER. It is not old, it is timeless. Anyone who thinks otherwise, and who would say things like "Get with the times!" really could use a good psychological examination. Do not ever listen to troll reviewers like Jonas Brothers #1 Fan or Cincinnati Bengals Lover. They are a waste of time and space, and clearly do not know anything about anything. Iron Maiden easily crush the living daylights out of Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy, or anyone else those trolls say is good.ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY IRON MAIDEN!!! FOR NOW AND FOR ALL OF ENTERNITY!!! UP THE IRONS!!! \M/\M/

Love this album. The tour for it was my first time seeing Iron Maiden live. It holds a special place in my heart. The album is a must own it you're into classic metal.The seller did a great job of packaging for shipment. Excellent seller. I'll be looking to buy from them again.