Ah Iron Maiden. My favourite band of all time. After covering Judas Priest I kind of had to do this one next as they've had surprisingly similar career trajectory. I've technically done a list like this before but I think it needed a bit of an update, plus I don't believe I had a chance to cover latest album 'Senjutsu' last time. This'll be another long one so strap in but I'll keep my summaries as brief as possible.
17. The X Factor (1995)
I know what you're thinking and no, this isn't the worst album artwork they've ever had. We'll get to that soon enough. Whilst this might be the worst album the band has released, I still don't hate it as when taken on it's own merits; it's still a decent album.
This was a weird time for the band as vocalist Bruce Dickinson had left in 1993 to pursue his solo project, and band leader/bassist Steve Harris was going through a divorce leading to the darkest album the band had released to this point. Blaze Bayley was hired as a replacement and whilst he is a fine vocallist in his own right, his style didn't really match Iron Maiden's then current style which was still going ahead as if Bruce was still here. Bruce can hit the high notes. Blaze tries his best but doesn't quick get there.
The production doesn't help either as the instruments just come across as too quiet compared to Blaze's booming voice which is a shame as there's a ton of potential here. For example; "Sign of the Cross" is the best track here but I never realised how truly great it was until I heard the live version with Bruce on vocals on the "Rock in Rio" release.
As far as the tracks go, there's not really a bad one until the last couple of tracks that just drag the album on for another unneccessary 13 minutes. Cut some of the fat and you've got something.
Rating: 6.5/10
Recommended Tracks: "Sign of the Cross", "Lord of the Flies", "Man on the Edge"
16. No Prayer for the Dying (1990)
Despite it's low ranking on this list; I've really mellowed out on this one over the years. I used to consider it their worst but to be honest it's just a good time.
Another big time for the band as guitarist/songwriter Adrian Smith left and lovely Janick Gers took his place. We were also just coming off the golden 80s period for the band and they decided to go back to their roots for better or for worse, and this time stuck to shorter, catchier tracks and didn't even bother trying to do an 'epic' one longer than 7 minutes as was the norm for them around this time.
It's close to a mixed bag but for me the good outweighs the bad. Only the middle section of the album is a bit of a drag with forgettable tunes but the album peaks with it's first three tracks and the cheesy goodness of 'Bring Your Daughter....To the Slaughter" and the totally underrated "Hooks In You". Thankfully the whole thing is only 40 minutes in total so even if it's not really your bag then it's not a total drag to get through.
Rating: 7/10
Recommended Tracks: "Tailgunner", "Holy Smoke", "No Prayer for the Dying"
15. Fear of the Dark (1992)
The lower placing of this one is definitely going to earn me some hate from somewhere. I've seen fans with this in their top 5 but for me I've just always seen it as overrated. Every time I go in for a listen I'm ready to be converted and finally 'get it' but I just don't. In the grand scheme of things it is a good album don't get me wrong but there's just too much filler for me.
There are 12 tracks in total here and out of them I'd say around 3 are totally skippable filler and another 3 that are just 'ok'. The whole thing runs about an hour so I have no idea why they couldn't have cut a few to make it a more cohesive release. Would anyone really miss "The Apparition", "Weekend Warrior", or "Fear is the Key" if they were removed from existance?
On the good side we do have 2 of the best Maiden tracks ever written here with the forever underrated "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" and the essential live experience that is the title track along with a few other gems to keep you coming back for more. Overrated album but still a good one.
Rating: 7/10
Recommended Tracks: "Fear of the Dark", "Afraid to Shoot Strangers", "Judas Be My Guide"
14. Virtual XI (1998)
I might ruffle a few feathers by not having this as the lowest option and having it above "Fear of the Dark", but I'm not ashamed to say I love this album and consider it their most underrated by a mile.
Whilst I kind of get the hate since Blaze was still on vocal duty and still wasn't quite gelling with the Maiden style, they took everything that wasn't working on "The X Factor" and improved on it such as improved production where every instrument can now be heard clearly, and they managed cut the runtime to just under an hour making it way easier to digest.
The album also contains what is considered Maiden's worst ever track in 'The Angel and the Gambler" which is a repetitive near 10 minute mess, but I can't lie; it's an absolute guilty pleasure for me and I totally vibe with it. The 10 minute length is criminal though. The other longer and also repetitive track "Don't Look to the Eyes of a Stranger" doesn't help.
Other than that, the rest of the album is absolute blast with the furiously paced "Futureal" opening proceedings on a high note, and we do get an all time classic in Scottish based "The Clansman" which is still played live by the band to this day and sounds even better with Bruce on vocals. Don't sleep on this one.
Rating: 8/10
Recommended tracks: "Futureal", "The Clansman", "Como Estais Amigos"
It's mad you can get to a band's 13th best album and have it still be excellent, though that is just the quality that Maiden brings to the table. Also this is easily their worst ever artwork and how they okayed this I'll never know. Just gaze into the unfinished CGI monstrosity and go mad.
Whilst I do love the bands post 2000 output, this is easily the weekest of those releases for me, though one I still enjoy immensely. As for the positives, there are a ton of great tracks here, including two of their best ever epics in the delightfully gothy title track and the war torn "Paschendale". Some great shorter tracks to be found as well in the beautiful "Rainmaker" and one of their heavier outputs in "Montsegur".
For me it only really drags towards the end with the last couple of tracks with one of the corniest songs they've ever written in "Age of Innocence" which didn't need to be 6 minutes long, and whilst I do enjoy the accoustic nature of closer "Journeyman", it really didn't need to be 7 minutes. Aside from that though, this is an underrated record worth checking out more than it is.
Rating: 8.5/10
Recommended Tracks: "Rainmaker", "Dance of Death", "Paschendale"
Another one I've seen higher on other lists but it just doesn't vibe with me as much as it seems to do with other Maiden fans. Still a great album though and has what might be my favourite album artwork of all time.
At this point in Maiden's timeline we still hadn't been introduced to Bruce Dickinson, and original vocalist Paul Di'Anno was still delivering the goods here in his punkier style. This was really the start of their galloping style that we know and love today.
There really aren't any bad tracks here though I do tend to skip over instrumental "Genghis Khan" as it doesn't do much for me. "Wrathchild" is the most famous song here and despite it's length of just over 2 minutes, is still considered such a classic that's played live to this day with it's excellent groovy bass intro into a big singalong chorus.
Add in the fact that there's a ton of hidden gems including the killer (pun intended) title track and the fast as hell "Murders in the Rue Morgue" and you've got a recipe for greatness.
Rating: 8.5/10
Recommended Tracks: "Wrathchild", "Murders in the Rue Morgue", "Killers"
11. The Final Frontier (2010)
Now this one is special to me. This is where it all began for me. I remember buying this with pocket money after seeing a five star review in a paper and had on repeat for days. I was young at the time and was only really into Metallica and had never heard anything like this. The album also came out shortly before my birthday, so once I had some birthday cash, I made sure to buy a good chunk of their back catalogue and the rest is history.
The fact I love this one so much and it's not even in the top ten just shows how far the band has come since 1980. As for the album itself, I do find it kind of underrated although I can certainly see why some may find issues with it.
Whilst there are no bad tracks at all, the pacing is a bit weird as all of the shorter songs are placed in the first half, and the last five tracks are all the 'epic songs' with most around the 9-10 mark so I can see how it could drag for a first time listener, and I've no idea why the band couldn't have spaced the tracks out in similiar way to most of their other releases. Still, the big tracks are the reason to stay as they're all excellent with massive closer "When the Wild Wind Blows" being a particular highlight. This is one worth spinning more than once to get the most out of it.
Rating 8.5/10
Recommended Tracks: "Isle of Avalon", "The Talisman", "When the Wild Wind Blows"
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10. Iron Maiden (1980)
And here's where it all began. The weirdest thing is it sounds the least like an Iron Maiden record than any of their other releases. That's mainly due in part to vocalist Paul Di'Anno's raspier voice and the fact it feels a bit like a Punk album likely due to how big Punk was around this time period.
This along with the rawer production quality due to it being their debut tends to throw people off of this one but in my opinion, you're really missing out. Outside of the heavy hitters like the epic "Phantom of the Opera" and the immortal title track, it's pretty much banger after banger once underrated opener "Prowler" stops. Don't sleep on this one.
Rating: 9/10
Recommended tracks: "Prowler", "Phantom of the Opera", "Iron Maiden"
9. The Book of Souls (2015)
There was a period of time where I had this record in my top three Maiden albums of all time. And whilst it's not quite the 10/10 I'd previously envisioned, there's still a ton on offer here.
I suppose the biggest obstacle is the sheer length with it being the band's longest album ever at a whopping 92 minutes, but if you can get past that then there's a lot to love here. There really are no bad tracks here and the longer ones are definitely the standouts. "The Red and the Black" has always been my favourite here and getting to hear it played live and being absolutely mesmorised by the instrumental section is a gig highlight for me.
I would say you could probably cut a couple of the more forgettable tracks like "Man of Sorrows" or "When the River Runs Deep" for a nicer, shorter experience though those tracks do have a bit to offer themselves so it'd be hard to cut ties with them. The longest track here is closer "Empire of the Clouds" at an intimidating 18 minutes but I totally adore this track and could easily listen to it multiple times with no issue.
Rating: 9/10
Recommended Tracks: "If Eternity Should Fail", "The Red and the Black", "The Book of Souls"
8. Senjutsu (2021)
It was difficult choosing between this and "Book of Souls", but this one has found it's way to my heart in the three years since it was released and is an absolute comfort album for me now.
Really the only issue I have with the album is the opening title track which I find to be a bore and way too long at 8 minutes with not much really going on, so I tend to skip it on repeat listens. Replace it with a better track and this is an easy 10/10 for me. After this though, from "Stratego" to "Hell on Earth", this is an absolute behemoth of a record.
It contains some of the better 'shorter' tracks they've released with the punchy "Days of Future Past" and awesome single "Writing on the Wall", along with the brilliant longer tracks they're known for at this point. "Lost in a Lost World" and "The Parchment" need repeat listens to truly appreciate them, and closer "Hell on Earth" is now one of my favourite Maiden songs ever. Long live the Irons.
Rating: 9.5/10
Recommended Tracks: "Writing on the Wall", "The Parchment", "Hell on Earth"
7. Piece of Mind (1983)
Now we're really starting to hit the heavyweights. For the longest time I considered this one of their more overrated releases as it seemed to get so much praise everywhere else, but with each new listen; I've really grown to appreciate just how great this one us.
Much like with "Senjutsu", there's only one track letting the side down in the terrible "Quest for Fire" but at least it's only 4 minutes long. Other than that, this is pretty much banger after banger. Of course you have the better known tracks like the galloping "The Trooper" and the slower, more delicate "Revelations", but there's a few hidden gems to be found like the mysterious "Still Life" and the so catchy it's chorus will get stuck in your head brilliance of "Sun and Steel".
A classic to be sure.
Rating: 9.5/10
Recommended Tracks: "Where Eagles Dare", "Revelations", "The Trooper"
Just to note, these last 6 entries will be pretty brief as I have nothing but praise for them. These are the absolute elite.
6. A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
Like "Book of Souls", this is one I had in my top three at one point and depending on what day you ask me, I might consider putting it further up the list.
Maiden really are at their best when they're tackling religion and war, and this album is a prime example of that. This is the first real example on this list of all killer no filler and the only reason it lags behind is because of it's intimadating length of 72 minutes as most of the tracks go over the 7 minute mark, but those usually end up as the best tracks like one of my all time faves that I had the privilege of hearing live in "For the Greater Good of God" and the gorgeous "The Longest Day". This would be peak 2000's Maiden if not for....
Rating: 10/10
Recommended Tracks: "For the Greater Good of God", "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg", "The Longest Day"
5. Brave New World (2000)
Talk about a comeback! This album signalled the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith to the band, the latter's return turning the band into a three guitar piece and it was wonderful.
I still remember listening to this album for the first time about 14 years and being gobsmacked by just how fresh the band sounded. Like "Matter of Life and Death" there is absolutely no filler to be found, and with a slightly shorter length of just over an hour, this one absolutely flies by. You have opener "The Wicker Man" which is easily one of the best intro tracks they've ever done; all the way through the always underrated "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" which is also one of my favourite closing tracks they've ever done. Top to bottom, a perfect album.
Rating: 10/10
Recommended Tracks: "The Wicker Man", "Brave New World", "Thin Line Between Love and Hate"
4. Powerslave (1984)
This one normally ends up at the top of most Maiden rankings and whilst I adore it, I still have a few I'd put above it.
Of course you have the big four here with insanely paced opener "Aces High", the catchy as hell "2 Minutes to Midnight", the powerful title track, and the best 13 minute song you're ever going to hear on "Rime of the Ancient Mariner". Seriously, check it out if you haven't, it's phenomenal.
Outside of those you have my favourite instrumental in "Losfer Words", and two totally underrated gems in "Flash of the Blade" and "Back in the Village". What's not to love? It's easy to see why the band were at the top of the metal world at this point of their career.
Rating: 10/10
Recommended Tracks: "Aces High", "2 Minutes to Midnight", "Powerslave", "Rime of the Ancient Mariner"
3. Somewhere in Time (1986)
This is one of those 'love it or hate it' albums as I've seen it at the top of album lists and towards the bottom as some really don't like the synth style they used here, but I freaking love it and have an even deeper appeciation for it since the recent Future Past Tour where they played a good few tracks from this.
It's another case of having the bigger well known tracks like their catchiest song ever in "Wasted Years" and the historical epic that is "Alexander the Great", along with some underrated gems that deserve way more love like "Sea of Madness" and "Deja Vu". Another great example of banger after banger.
Rating: 10/10
Recommeded Tracks: "Wasted Years", "Alexander the Great", "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Sea of Madness"
2. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
This is one I used to have around the number 5 mark but a recent listen has confirmed just how good this album is.
Even with the track "The Prophecy" which I'm not a big fan of; the other tracks are just so good that it still puts it above all the previous listed albums. Even the eternally underrated closer "Only the Good Die Young" is a 10/10 track, and the title track is one of the best 10 minute tracks they've ever created. A masterpiece of a concept album only beaten by one other.
Rating: 10/10
Recommended Tracks: "Moonchild", "Infinite Dreams", "The Evil That Men Do", "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son", "The Clairvoyant"
1. The Number of the Beast (1982)
There can only be one at the top, and of course it's the first Maiden album I ever bought and my favourite album of all time.
It contains the two greatest Maiden tracks ever penned in the mighty title track, and my favourite track of all time in the godly "Hallowed Be Thy Name". Of course you've also got their most well known track in the catchy "Run to the Hills", the gothic masterpiece that is "Children of the Damned" and absolute stormer "The Prisoner". The greatest metal album of all time.
Rating: 10/10
Recommended tracks: All of them
Thanks once again for reading! I'm still trying to work out which artist I'll be covering next but hopefully shouldn't be too long with the next list.
