HOT FIVE: Iron Maiden

05: The Number Of The Beast [1982]
Featuring: "22 Acacia Avenue", "The Number Of The Beast", "Run To The Hills", "Gangland", "Hallowed Be Thy Name"

Fuck Bruce Dickinson.

04: Piece Of Mind [1983]

Featuring..."Where Eagles Dare", "Revelations", "Flight Of Icarus", "Die With Your Boots On", "The Trooper"

Fuck Bruce Dickinson....But seriously, I tend to be a bit of a purist when it comes to rock bands. The only AC/DC that matters in my world is the one fronted by Bon Scott. Van Halen with Diamond Dave. The Who with Keith Moon. And yes, when it comes to Iron Maiden, I prefer the original line-up on their first two albums, when Paul Di'Anno was the singer. Seriously, fuck Bruce Dickinson. (I'm just kidding, of course - I've got no beef with Bruce, it's just kinda fun to say/type...)

03: Live After Death [1985]
Featuring..."Aces High", "2 Minutes To Midnight", "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner", "Powerslave", "Children Of The Damned"

Sigh, alright. Bruce Dickinson is a good singer, and he was a great fit for this band. And musically, Iron Maiden arguably hit their peak after Di'Anno left. They certainly weren't getting any worse on Number Of The Beast or Piece Of Mind. Still, I think if yr gonna own a non-Di'Anno album by Iron Maiden, I'd start with this one. It's an honest representation of the band as a live act, and having seen them on three different tours, I can certainly attest to the fact that these dudes can fucking play, and put on a damn good show. So not only does Live After Death serve as a fine document of the Iron Maiden live experience, but like all live albums, it also serves as a sufficient "greatest hits" package as well.

02: Iron Maiden [1980]
Featuring..."The Prowler", "Sanctuary", "Running Free", "Phantom Of The Opera", "Transylvania"

Here we are, where it all started. Iron Maiden's debut album, featuring Paul Di'Anno, and dammit if there isn't more than a bit of Punk influence twisted into these songs - songs with all the technical precision and dual-guitar melodies one has come to expect from this band. A bracing debut album from a legendary band that sounded unlike any other band out there at the time. A band soooo many have tried to emulate over the years, and never quite matched.

01: Killers [1981]
Featuring..."Wrathchild", "Murders In The Rue Morgue", "Innocent Exile", "Killers", "Purgatory"

Quite simply, one of the ten best Fucking Metal albums ever unleashed upon an unsuspecting world. A MUST! Nuff said.

Hotcha! Hank