RARITIES

The sixth full-length solo studio album by legendary British guitarist and singer.
His first studio effort after a 1985 trip back to his native Belfast, Northern Ireland, the album contains several songs about Ireland. The album is dedicated to the memory of Moore's close friend and former Thin Lizzy bandmate Phil Lynott, who died on 4 January 1986, with the words "For Philip" on the rear cover.
"Wild Frontier" contains the hit Single "Over the Hills and Far Away", which reached No. 20 in the UK, as well as a cover of the Easybeats' song "Friday on My Mind". The Max Middleton-penned "The Loner" was originally recorded by Cozy Powell for his "Over The Top" album in 1979 (on which Moore performed, albeit not on Powell's recording of "The Loner"). The track was substantially altered by Moore for his own recording, thus he is credited as a co-writer. The song "Crying in the Shadows", which was released as the B-side of the "Over the Hills and Far Away" Single in December 1986 and appears as a bonus track on the CD version of "Wild Frontier", was also recorded by Japanese singer Minako Honda, titled "The Cross (Ai No Jujika)", with Moore on guitar. Gary Moore was joined by The Chieftains on select tracks from this album.
This is a superb Rock guitar album with solid songwriting and some superb classics like “The Loner”. It would be worth buying just for that one track, but you get a lot more!
10 Records Ltd./Virgin Records Ltd., 1987 (208 183). Made in Germany. First press. OIS. Used (cover/disc): EX+/EX+.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Over The Hills And Far Away 5:19
2. Wild Frontier 4:15
3. Take A Little Time 4:04
4. The Loner 5:52

Side 2
1. Friday On My Mind (Easybeats cover) 4:12
2. Strangers In The Darkness 4:37
3. Thunder Rising 5:40
4. Johnny Boy 3:11

Total playing time: 37:10 min.

The ninth full-length studio album by legendary British Art Rock/Progressive Rock band.
Charisma Records Ltd., 1978 (CDS 4010). Made in UK. Second press. Used (cover/disc): EX/EX.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Down And Out  5:13
2. Undertow  4:35
3. Ballad Of Big  4:37
4. Snowbound  4:20
5. Burning Rope  6:52

Side 2
6. Deep In The Motherlode  5:02
7. Many Too Many  3:22
8. Scenes From A Night`s Dream  3:21
9. Say It`s Alright Joe  4:09
10. The Lady Lies  5:53
11. Follow You Follow Me  3:51

Total playing time: 51:15 min.

The thirteenth full-length studio album by legendary British Art Rock/Progressive Rock band.
Virgin/Charisma Records Ltd., 1986 (207 750 | 207 750-630). Made in Germany. First press. OIS.



Tracklist:

Side One
1. Invisible Touch  3:29
2. Tonight, Tonight, Tonight  8:53
3. Land Of Confusion  4:46
4. In Too Deep  5:02

Side Two
5. Anything She Does  4:09
6. Domino [Part One - In The Glow Of The Night / Part Two - The Last Domino]  10:45
7. Throwing It All Away  3:51
8. The Brazilian  4:50

Total playing time: 45:45 min.

The fifth full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
Album was released during the heyday for the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, when Heavy Metal was seeing a resurgence especially in Gillan's homeland. Many, including Ian Gillan himself, rank "Double Trouble" as the band's pinnacle; their finest moment. On the studio tracks producer Steve Smith manages to capture the raw, heavy feel of the band that was sometimes missing in past albums. The studio album featured two hit singles, “Restless” and “Nightmare”, which were unfortunately only released in Europe.
The album is titled "Double Trouble" because originally this was released as a double LP set with one record being the new studio material and the rest being live material, mostly taken from England's 1981 Reading Festival. The one exception is "If You Believe Me" which was recorded at London's Rainbow Theatre, March 4, 1981.
It is the first album to feature Janick Gers, since Bernie Tormé left the band during the tour of Germany in 1981. In fact Tormé was fired because he did not want to participate in the playback TV performance of "No Laughing in Heaven" at "Top Of The Pops" on 24 June 1981. Janick Gers came in for the rest of the tour on 25 June 1981. Of course, Janick Gers went on to record with Bruce Dickinson and eventually joined Iron Maiden.
Album reached #12 in the UK charts.
In 1989, Virgin Records re-released the remastered version of album in CD format, with the same track listing.
Kingsway Recorders/Virgin Records Ltd., 1981/1989 (CDVM 3606). Made in UK. 


Tracklist:
1. I'll Rip Your Spine Out     4:30 
2. Restless     3:19 
3. Men Of War     4:31 
4. Sunbeam     5:11 
5. Nightmare     3:15 
6. Hadely Bop Bop     2:50 
7. Life Goes On     4:12 
8. Born To Kill     9:28
9. No Laughing In Heaven (Live)     6:26
10. No Easy Way (Live)     10:32
11. Trouble (Live)     3:04
12. Mutually Assured Destruction (Live)     5:13
13. If You Believe Me (Live)     8:26
14. New Orleans (Live)     6:04
Total playing time: 77:02 min.


Samples:  http://www.lastfm

The fourth full-length studio album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
This album belongs on the list "Top 100 Albums With the Most Ugly Covers", but let that not put you off: this one is almost as good as "Mr. Universe" and "Glory Road".
The title is taken from Alvin Toffler's book "Future Shock". There are a handful of classics, mixed with some mediocre fillers - but a Hard Rock fan should have this album, even if it was just for the 3 minutes of "The Ballad of the Lucitania Express", which is The Perfect Heavy Fast Rock song. This song steams like the overheated locomotive that it is about, is not a second too long and has everything perfectly in place. The real engine is John McCoy's bass, clearly audible under the brief guitar solo, pumping 8th notes at over 200 BPM. This band can inject you with pure adrenaline and crack you up at the same time!
On its release, the album reached number 2 in the UK chart; that remain the band's highest placing album.
In 2005, "Future Shock" was ranked number 467 in the German Rock Hard Magazine's book of "The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time".
Kingsway Recorders Ltd/Virgin Records Ltd., 1981 (203 596-320). Made in Germany. First press. Used (cover/disc): EX/EX.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Future Shock 3:06
2. Night Ride Out Of Phoenix 5:04
3. (The Ballad Of) The Lucitania Express 3:10
4. No Laughing In Heaven 4:56
5. Sacre Bleu 3:02
6. New Orleans 2:37

Side Two
1. Bite The Bullet 4:49
2. If I Sing Softly 6:09
3. Don't Want The Truth 5:40
4. For Your Dreams 5:04

Total playing time: 43:37 min.

The second full-length studio album by legendary British Heavy Metal band.
"Hit And Run", didn't have as many standout cuts as their debut, but it lost little in the way of intensity and raw aggression. Like its predecessor, "Demolition" (1980), it was recorded at Jackson's Studios, England. The band were in the studio from December 1980 to January 1981 with Vic Maile again serving as producer.
The car on the cover is a 1972 Buick Riviera.
"Hit And Run" is the most successful Girlschool album, having reached No. 5 in the UK Albums Chart, with the Single of the title track climbing to No. 32 in the UK Singles Chart. The band appeared on the BBC show Top of the Pops on April 16, 1981, miming to the hit song.
The 7-inch single had "Tonight" as B-side, with the 10-inch adding the cover version of the famous ZZ Top song "Tush". Lead track "C'mon Let's Go" was featured in the Gemini Award-winning 2005 documentary film "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey".
In 2005, "Hit And Run" was ranked number 289 in Rock Hard Magazine's book "The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time".
Bronze Records Ltd., 1981 (203 556-320). Made in Germany. First press. Used (cover/disc): EX+/EX+.


Tracklist:

Seite 1
1. C'mon Let's Go 3:35
2. The Hunter 3:15
3. (I'm Your) Victim 2:42
4. Kick It Down 3:03
5. Following The Crowd 3:08
6. Tush 2:15

Seite 2
1. Hit And Run 3:08
2. Watch Your Step 3:20
3. Back To Start 3:32
4. Yeah Right 3:20
5. Future Flash 4:27

Total playing time: 35:51 min.

The fourth full-length studio album by legendary American Alternative/Punk Rock band.
Band's third best-selling album, behind “Dookie” and “American Idiot”, with sales of over 8 million worldwide and 2,076,000 copies in the US alone.
Album peaked at number two in the United States and went double Platinum by the RIAA in 1996.
Reprise Records, 1995 (9362-46046-2). Made in Germany. First press. Used (cover/disc): M/NM.


Tracklist:
1. Armatage Shanks 02:16
2. Brat 01:43
3. Stuck With Me 02:15
4. Geek Stink Breath 02:15
5. No Pride 02:19
6. Bab's Uvula Who? 02:08
7. 86 02:47
8. Panic Song 03:35
9. Stuart And The Ave. 02:03
10. Brain Stew 03:12
11. Jaded 01:30
12. Wetbound Sign 02:13
13. Tight Wad Hill 02:01
14. Walking Contradiction 02:31
Total playing time: 32:48 min.

Russian edition of the sixth full-length album by russian Industrial Groove Modern Death Metal band.
“Lifelong Days” is basically overflowing with interesting song ideas. Grenouer even seems more than capable of shifting the band's entire personality within individual songs in order to make it sound more enthusiastic and interesting. There are noticeable influences from outright Death Metal in some moments while at other times, when the song requires it, they send out a Groovier almost Nu Metal vibe. This is quite obviously a heavier offering than “Computer Crime”. There are borderline brutal moments of double-bass kicks and a veritable abundance deep, heavy detuned guitar riffs. The album plays for 46 minutes, and every second is a joy to listen to. Even the production is fantastic. The band sounds absolutely massive with a good sizzle on the guitars to keep things firmly on the Metal side of the term "Nu Metal." If you dig really groovy modernized Metal with a hint of good Death Metal, you can go with Grenouer!!
Molot Records/Irond Records, 2008 (IROND CD 08-1548). Booklet signed by musicians!!

Tracklist:
1. Indecent Loyalty 03:43
2. Addicted to You 04:22
3. Taken Off the List 04:17
4. With No Concern 03:08
5. Away from Now 04:47
6. Finding the One 04:06
7. Off the Back of Others 04:25
8. The Unexpected 03:47
9. Employed Beggar 04:38
10. Re-Active 04:35
11. Patience 04:38
Total playing time: 46:26
 

The debut and only full-length studio album by Canadian Heavy Metal band.
Formerly known as Hanover Fist, Hanover is the brainchild of Frank Zirone and the first band in discography of legendary drummer Mike Terrána (Axel Rudi Pell, Haggard, Tony MacAlpine, Yngwie Malmsteen, Masterplan, Metalium, Rage, Squealer, Tarja Turunen, Theodore Ziras and more).
From the start, the album was released as self-titled album (“Hanover Fist”) in Canada only. And later same year, after band change name, it was re-released worldwide as “Hungry Eyes”, with the new cover artwork and one new track (instead two others, that was missed).
The Single "Metal Of The Night" appeared on the soundtrack of a 1984 movie called “The Wild Life”.
MCA Records, 1985 (MCA - 39037). Made in Canada. Used (cover/vinyl): EX+/EX+.

Tracklist:

Side One
1. Fits Ya Good 4:04
2. Hungry Eyes 3:40
3. The Maze 3:40
4. Looking For Love 4:04
5. Standing Six 4:10

Side Two
6. Fear No Evil 4:45
7. Metal Of The Night 5:59
8. Rock Bottom 4:29
9. High Speed Roller 4:19

Total playing time: 39:10 min.

The debut full-length studio album by legendary American Rock band.
The album sold an impressive 30 000 copies across Canada in its first few months, eventually being certified as double Platinum for sales of 200 000. Due to the gradual nature of the sales, it only entered the Canadian Albums Chart on September 4, 1976, peaking at number 20 on October 9, 1976.
Mushroom Records/Arista Records/Negram, 1976 (ARTY 139). Made in Holland. First press. OIS. Used (cover/disc): EX/EX.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Magic Man  5:28
2. Dreamboat Annie (Fantasy Child)  1:10
3. Crazy On You  4:53
4. Soul Of The Sea  6:33
5. Dreamboat Annie  2:02

Side 2
6. White Lightning & Wine  3:53
7. (Love Me Like Music) I'll Be Your Song  3:20
8. Sing Child  4:55
9. How Deep It Goes  3:49
10. Dreamboat Annie (Reprise)  3:50

Total playing time: 39:53 min.

The eighth full-length studio album by legendary American Melodic Hard Rock/Glam Metal band.
The album continued the band's transition into Mainstream Rock, a genre that yielded the band its greatest commercial success. Marking the band's Capitol Records debut, it became Heart's only album to top the US Billboard 200 to date. The album was eventually certified quintuple Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (in contrast to Heart's previous two releases, "Private Audition" and "Passionworks", which remain uncertified, proving that adopting a Glam Metal direction helped resurrect the band.
The album yielded the band's first number-one Single, "These Dreams", along with four other singles: "What About Love", "Never", "Nothin' at All", and "If Looks Could Kill", with the first four Singles reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. At the 28th Annual Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
In a 2022 interview, Ann Wilson stated that the album was self-titled because the band "didn’t write a whole lot of the songs on there, so that aspect of closeness with the work was gone, and it was much harder for us to come up with a title that was real".
Capitol Records, Inc./EMI Services Benelux B.V., 1985 (064 2403721). Made in Holland. First press. OIS. Used (cover/disc): EX+/EX.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. If Looks Could Kill 3:41
2. What About Love? 3:39
3. Never 4:04
4. These Dreams 4:13
5. The Wolf 4:02

Side 2
1. All Eyes 3:54
2. Nobody Home 4:08
3. Nothin' At All 4:12
4. What He Don't Know 3:40
5. Shell Shock 3:42

Total playing time: 39:15 min.

The third full-length studio album by legendary American Folk/Hard Rock band.
CBS Inc./Portrait Records, 1977 (PRT 82075). Made in Holland. First press. OIS. Used (cover/disc): EX/VG+.


Tracklist:

1
1. Barracuda  4:20
2. Love Alive  4:21
3. Sylvan Song  2:12
4. Dream Of The Archer  4:30
5. Kick It Out  2:44

2
6. Little Queen  5:10
7. Treat Me Well  3:24
8. Say Hello  3:36
9. Cry To Me  2:51
10. Go On Cry  5:52

Total playing time: 39:00 min.

The second full-length studio album by legendary American Hard Rock/Blues band.
It was originally released on April 19, 1977, by Mushroom Records in unfinished form, without the band's permission. A second authorized version of the album was released on April 22, 1978.
Since the label could no longer provide Flicker as producer as the contract specified, the band took the position that they were free to move to another label and signed with Portrait Records. The change in labels resulted in a prolonged legal battle with Mushroom's creative director Shelly Siegel. Mushroom, which still had a two-album contract, claimed they had the legal right to release a second Heart album after all. Still in possession of the five unfinished studio recordings, as well as unreleased live tracks recorded in 1975, Mushroom had them remixed by the band's recording engineer, but without the presence of any group members. The label added another studio track, "Here Song" (the B-side to "How Deep It Goes", Heart's first Canadian Single from 1975). The rest of the album was filled by two live songs recorded in 1975 at The Aquarius Tavern, a rock club in Seattle where the group had played regularly. Mushroom released the collection as "Magazine" in the spring of 1977, at the same time that the ban was preparing their next album for Portrait Records, titled "Little Queen".
According to Flicker, about 50 000 copies of the original "Magazine" album were pressed. Some of these copies were sold in stores, mostly in Los Angeles and Hollywood, Florida, where the records were manufactured. Unsold copies were quickly recalled and later destroyed when Heart took Mushroom Records to court to stop distribution of the album. The 1977 version was also briefly released in Europe through Arista Records, but were ordered off shelves by a second court action.
Though the album was not officially released to radio stations in 1977, some stations such as KISW, a Seattle-based rock station, played songs from the unauthorized version, against the wishes of the group. The 1977 release carried a disclaimer on the back cover that read: "Mushroom Records regrets that a contractual dispute has made it necessary to complete this record without the cooperation or endorsement of the group Heart, who have expressly disclaimed artistic involvement in completing this record. We did not feel that a contractual dispute should prevent the public from hearing and enjoying these incredible tunes and recordings".
The court eventually decided that the band could sign with Portrait, but that they did owe Mushroom a second album. The band returned to the studio to re-record, remix, edit, and re-sequence the recordings. "Magazine" was re-released in 1978 and sold a million copies in less than a month.
Shelly Siegel, the promoter behind the "First Time" ad and vice president of the record label, died a few months after the re-release, and Mushroom Records went bankrupt two years later. Ownership rights to Heart's two albums for Mushroom were purchased by Capitol Records, which reissued the recordings. The episode had at least one more repercussion. Not long after the ad appeared, a radio promoter asked Ann about her lover; he was referring to Nancy, thus implying that the sisters were incestuous lesbian lovers. The encounter infuriated Ann, who went back to her hotel and wrote the words to what became one of Heart's signature songs, "Barracuda".
The album has been certified Platinum in both the United States and Canada.
Mushroom Records/Arista Records/EMI Electrola GmbH, 1977 (1C 064-60 008). Made in Germany. First press. Used (cover/disc):  VG+/EX+.


Tracklist:

Seite 1
1. Heartless  4:59
2. Without You  4:43
3. Just The Wine  4:30
4. Magazine  6:55

Seite 2 
5. Here Song  1:34
6. Devil Delight  4:57
7. Blues Medley: Mother Earth / You Shook Me Babe  7:11
8. I've Got The Music In Me  6:12

Total playing time: 41:01 min.

The fifth full-length studio album by legendary Canadian heavy metal band.
Capitol Records, Inc./EMI Services Benelux B.V. Uden, 1985 (064 2403481). Made in Holland. First press. Used (cover/disc): VG+/VG+.


Tracklist:

SIDE ONE
1. The Kids Are All Shakin' 3:35
2. Deep Cuts The Knife 3:52
3. Ride The Rocket 3:12
4. Long Way To Heaven 3:25
5. House On Fire 3:24

SIDE TWO
6. Christine 3:33    
7. Without You (Jasmine's Song)    3:39
8. School Of Hard Knocks 4:05
9. Don't Touch The Merchandise 2:47
10. Bangin' Off The Bricks 3:12

Total playing time: 35:49 min.

The debut mini-album by legendary American Heavy/Speed Metal band.
Released in 1983 as 4-track EP, this release has two tracks added, and marked as Mini LP.
Music For Nations, 1983/1984 (MFN 15). Made in UK. 45 PRM. Used (cover/disc): VG+/NM.


Side A
1. Break the Spell 04:07
2. Don't Take No 04:13
3. Backstabber 03:29

Side B
4. Lookin' for a Good Time 03:06
5. Driving Hard 03:42
6. Up from the Depths 05:23
 
Total playing time: 24:00 min.

The fourth Single by legendary German Power/Speed Metal band.
Taken from the 1988 album "Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Part 2", the song remains one of the band's most popular songs, and is played live at virtually every Helloween concert. The lyrics based on the 1818 novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus".
A video shot for the 2010 Jazz-style remake of the song on the album "Unarmed – Best Of 25th Anniversary".
Noise International, 1988 (N 0116-5). Made in Germany. First press. 45 PRM. OIS. Post Card. Used (cover/disc): NM/EX+.


Tracklist:

Side A
Dr. Stein 05:03

Side B
Savage 03:26
Livin' Ain't No Crime 04:43

Total playing time: 13:14 min.

Limited Edition release of the second full-length studio album by legendary German Power/Speed Metal band.
Arguably a blueprint for the Power/Speed Metal scene as a whole, "Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Part I" was a strong album that quite obviously deserves the classic title. Helloween finally got a real singer into the band, letting former vocalist Kai Hansen concentrate more on his guitar playing. Michael Kiske was young and quite adept at hitting the notes that are sure to irritate your household pets. "Keeper" also stepped a bit away from the more Thrashy vibe of "Walls Of Jericho", putting forth a cleaner, slicker version of Helloween. Much can be said about the melodic and exciting dual leads of Hansen and Michael Weikath, especially in "I'm Alive" and "Twilight of the Gods". Even on the pseudo-balladry of "A Tale That Wasn't Right", Helloween is able to avoid schlock cliche. And their signature track "Future World" aptly captures everything Helloween is about: a certain optimism, superbly catchy songwriting and a grand epic feeling. Speaking of epics, "Halloween" isn't quite up to the level of other epic Helloween songs and is a bit of a bear to wade through.
The band originally planned to release "Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part I" and "Part II" as a double album, but their record label refused, insisting that the albums be released separately.
"Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Part I" shows Helloween at their creative peak and is more necessary in your collection than any current Power Metal album!!
Limited Edition Blue Transparent Vinyl with OIS.
Noise International, 1987/1988 (N 0057). Made in Germany. Second press. Used (cover/disc): NM-/M-.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Initiation 1:21
2. I'm Alive 3:23
3. A Little Time 3:59
4. Twilight Of The Gods 4:29
5. A Tale That Wasn't Right 5:15

Side Two
6. Future World 4:02
7. Halloween 13:18
8. Follow The Sign 1:46

Total playing time: 37:33 min.

The debut studio mini-album by legendary German Power/Speed Metal band.
In the realm of Heavy Metal, few bands have left an indelible mark as significant as Helloween. The German Power Metal pioneers burst onto the scene with their self-titled debut mini-album, that would set the stage for a genre-defining career. Released in1985, this iconic record not only showcased the band's musical prowess but also played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Power Metal.
The creation of Helloween's debut album can be traced back to the vibrant Metal scene of the early 1980s. In the wake of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), European bands began exploring new sonic territories, pushing the boundaries of traditional Metal. Helloween emerged from this milieu, blending the aggression of Metal with melodic and Symphonic elements, laying the foundation for what would later be recognized as Power Metal.
The recording process for the album took place at Musiclab Studios in West Berlin, Germany. Under the guidance of producer Harris Johns, the band, comprised of Kai Hansen (vocals/guitar), Michael Weikath (guitar), Markus Grosskopf (bass), and Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums), crafted a sound that was both raw and polished. The result was a dynamic fusion of speed and melody, punctuated by Hansen's soaring vocals and the intricate guitar work of Weikath.
The mini-LP format, with its limited number of tracks, challenged Helloween to make each song count. The album featured five original compositions, including the anthemic "Starlight" and the frenetic "Murderer". The concise yet impactful tracklist contributed to the album's accessibility and replay value, cementing its status as a classic in the Speed/Power Metal canon. Although it is a Speed Metal rather than a Power Metal album, the record is significant as the first effort by the band that would redefine the Power Metal genre.
"Helloween" was followed up later that same year by the band's first full-length album, "Walls Of Jericho".
Noise Records, a division of Modern Music/SPV GmbH, 1985 (N 0021 | 60-1679). Made in Germany. First press. OIS. Used (cover/disc): VG+/VG+.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Starlight 5:15
2. Murderer 4:25
3. Warrior 4:00

Side B
4. Victim of Fate 6:39
5. Cry for Freedom 6:07

Total playing time: 26:26 min.

The first compilation album by legendary British Hard Rock band.
Double vinyl in gatefold cover.
10 Records Ltd., 1986 (302 781). Made in Germany. First press. Used (cover/disc 1/disc 2): EX+/EX/EX.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Intro On The Rocks
2. Scarabus  4:53
3. Money Lender  5:38
4. Puget Sound  4:23
5. Mad Elaine  4:15

Side 2
1. Time And Again  5:08
2. Vengeance  3:34
3. No Easy Way  6:36
5. If I Sing Softly  6:10

Side 3
1. I'll Rip Your Spine Out  4:30
2. New Orleans  2:37
3. Mutually Assured Destruction  3:13
4. Unchain Your Brain  3:12
5. You're So Right  2:55
6. No Laughing In Heaven  4:58

Side 4
1. Long Gone  3:59
2. If You Believe Me  7:37
3. Trouble  2:23
4. Bluesy Blue Sea  4:48
5. Lucille  2:32

Total playing time: 83:21 min.
 

Remastered re-release of the eighth full-length studio album by the legendary British Heavy Metal band.
"No Prayer For The Dying" is one of the best Metal albums of 1990. Although it received generally mixed to negative reviews, the album peaked at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart and contains the band's only UK Singles Chart No. 1, "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter".
The album departed from the keyboard- and synthesiser-saturated Progressive Rock direction of the band's two previous studio outings (1986's "Somewhere In Time" and 1988's "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son") in favour of a more "stripped down", straight forward style, reminiscent of the band's earlier material, which ushered in a change of vocal style for Bruce Dickinson from the operatic sound of the 1980s to a raspier way of singing. The album also departed from literary and historical lyrical themes in favour of more political content, with songs focusing on religious exploitation and social concerns. It's the only Iron Maiden studio album to date without a song exceeding six minutes in length and the only one to contain profanity in the lyrics.
Album marks band's first line-up change since 1983; guitarist Adrian Smith left the band during the pre-production phase, unhappy with the musical direction it was taking, and only having contributed to one song, "Hooks in You". Smith was replaced by Janick Gers, who had previously worked with singer Bruce Dickinson on his first solo-album, "Tattooed Millionaire", and had also worked with Ian Gillan and  White Spirit.
It was also the band's first release with Epic Records in the US, after the band left Capitol Records, but was sold through EMI for all territories outside the US.
The original 1990 version has cover picture where Eddie bursting from his grave and grabbing a grave-digger by the neck. As the band's manager, Rod Smallwood, disliked the figure, he asked artist Derek Riggs to remove him from the cover for the 1998 re-release, although the original artwork is used on the disc itself. Additionally an inscription was added to the plaque on the tomb, which Riggs had initially left blank to allow the band to add their own words, and reads "After the Daylight, The Night of Pain, That is not Dead, Which Can Rise Again".
Also this 1998 remastered re-edition contains a special enhanced CD-ROM multimedia section with videos, exclusive photo galleries, biographies, internet links plus a deluxe 24 page colour booklet with full lyrics, Eddie art and photos!!
Iron Maiden (Holdings) Ltd./EMI Records Ltd., 1990/1998 (7243 4 96865 0 2). Made in Netherlands. First press of re-release. Used (cover/disc): EX/NM.


Tracklist:
1.Tailgunner 04:15
2.Holy Smoke 03:49
3.No Prayer for the Dying 04:23
4.Public Enema Number One 04:14
5.Fates Warning 04:10
6.The Assassin 04:18
7.Run Silent Run Deep 04:35
8.Hooks in You 04:07
9.Bring Your Daughter... To the Slaughter 04:44
10.Mother Russia 05:32