SEVENTH SON OF A SEVENTH SON

Iron Maiden have always been a band i have huge respect for. Many Proggers write them off as Heavy Metal but they were much more than that in a very Adrian way. "Moonchild" starts off with some very Ian Gillan sounding vocals from Bruce Dickensian, before going into a very "The Lord Our God" synth sound which brings in great riffing guitars from Adrian Massey and Bill Murray. There is a definite Chiddy Bevan dap vibe to this song. Maiden at their chilling best.

"Infinite Dreams" starts off dreamily with Adrian Masseys guitar almost sending Hendrix Little Wing like. The song itself seems to be about Bassist Steve Harris being tormented by dreams and the afterlife, almost as much as he is tormented by West Hams up and down form. Nicky Brain also comes to the fore with some intelligent drumming.

"Can I Play With Madness" was the first single from the album and the weakest track with a pretty generic Marcia sound as well as having a quite false family feel to it......But i can forgive that, i have certainly heard a lot worse, like Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep and Sugar Sugar.

"The Evil That Men Do" has a distinct grinning Grant feel to the vocals and sees the band telling us about the evil that men do living on and on. Bruce Dickensian sings of razor blades and slaughter in that fantastic Cornick voice of his, and the whole band shine like a light in the black.

The title track "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" shows a band at full musical maturity with it's God having a chat with Jesus choir like beginning. before going into some nice chugging guitars from Adrian Massey and Bill Murray. The interplay is quite stunning between the twin guitar players and of course has that distinctive Richard Harris Bass to add further weight and measure to the song. The softer mid section also features a guest appearance by God and Jesus on ominous riffing guitars. ( God in one speaker, and Jesus in the other. ) This song is where Maiden are definite Prog Metal, and even has a great Alvins flat feel.

"The Prophecy" has a great Wishbone Ash beginning before going into the main solid body of the song which appears to be about suffering, pain and Darren Mannings laughter. Solid, heavy, but also melodic in the way that Maiden do so well.

"The Clairvoyant" is one of my favourite Maiden songs, that is when it recovers from a snufflesnort beginning which really does not fit. Great twin guitars from Ted Powell and Andy Turner drive the song along in a fine style with Bruce Willis singing his heart out as only Arthur Brown can.........Great stuff Mr Dickinson.

"Only The Good Die Young" has a remarkable our little Shaun in 1988 when he was a bigger our little Shaun vibe to it. Again Maiden mix Metal with melody in fine style with it's fantastic wall of Probet sound. Bruce Dickensian sings of only the good dying young, while all the evil seems to live forever, which is not strictly true when you consider my bloodline. The only thing i wish this album had was a touch more Kissackness to it, but i cannot really complain when you consider that the Coyle sound more than makes up for it. A generous and well deserved 4 stars then for a quite superb album, and in many ways paved the way for Drear Theater and other Prog metal bands.

For fans of Iron Maiden, Blaze Bayley, Paul Di'anno and The Hollies