Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son [Remastered] [ECD] - Iron Maiden

...that as this was Maiden's seventh studio album, maybe they should play on that. Harris was a big fan of some 70's prog-rock bands, who's liking for 'concept' albums was well-documented and proved.
After 'Somewhere in Time' and the corresponding 'Somewhere on Tour', Harris was said to have indulged in much mythology and legend, reading about the 'seventh son born of a seventh son' who would be blessed with the gift of second sight, i.e. clairvoyancy.
...to the continuing story; "The seventh lamb slain, the book of life opens before me". It is the 'seventh son' experiencing the evil side of the men he wants to trust. A mighty epic indeed.
5. 'Seventh son of a Seventh son' (Written by Harris)
The centrepiece of the album, it tells the tale of the 'seventh son''s journey so far, from the perspective of the narrator, rather than the 'seventh son' himself. Multi-layered, with ... more

This is it! Iron Maiden's potential for a flawless and original metal album was long known, but they had never quite managed to make every track original and hook-laden and powerful. This was it!
Being very knowing souls, especially Harris, there was a thought that as this was Maiden's seventh studio album, maybe they should play on that. Harris was a big fan of some 70's prog-rock bands, who's liking for 'concept' albums was well-documented and proved.
After 'Somewhere in Time' and the corresponding 'Somewhere on Tour', Harris was said to have indulged in much mythology and legend, reading about the 'seventh son born of a seventh son' who would be blessed with the gift of second sight, i.e. clairvoyancy.
Iron Maiden had the same line-up for the fourth album in a row, and sadly this was the last time they would be together as five. But after deciding to write the album in a Bavarian castle, Harris bounced ideas off of the others, who all contributed vastly to make it a real team effort.

It has to be said that on 'Somewhere in Time', guitar prodigy Adrian Smith saved the album with three sublime anthems, while Harris struggled, especially lyrically, as did Murray, and Dickinson did not contribute at all. But all members seemed to be enthusiastic about the prospect of a concept album, and, as well as introducing synthesisers on their last release, Maiden decided to use keyboards to enhance the musical soundscape here. It was a good choice.

The artwork incredibly surpasses anything done before, with Eddie as a torso, with his spine held in place by a frozen glacial ocean, surrounded by ice-caps, and with light-bulbs hanging from the sky! The top of Eddie's skull is missing, with his brains giving off flames, drifting to the moon above his head. His torso ends at the bottom of his ribcage, from which he produces a crying newborn infant (the 'seventh son') contained in his stomach. Bizarrely, there is an apple 'floating' inside him too! His face once again has the 'head-bolt', and one eye crackles with lighning, while the other has a 'Terminator' style mechanical red-eye. Again, there are many little graphics to look out for in the background. Derek Riggs really surpasses himself.

So here it is;

1. 'Moonchild' (Written by Smith/Dickinson)
The album begins with a little 'folk-guitar' sing-along; "Seven deadly sins, seven ways to win, seven holy paths to Hell, and your trip begins. Seven downward slopes, seven bloodied hopes, seven are your burning fires, seven your desires....", then kicks into a powerful surge of impressive keyboards, and twin guitars. The intro. lasts a long time, then the flowing melody gets loud and more 'metal', before the song begins at pace. The lyrics are more challenging than almost any Maiden songs before, and have a real sense of purpose. This 'chapter' is 'Lucifer' heralding the birth of the 'seventh son', who he vows to claim as his own. Dickinson's voice is incredible, spitting passion, while remaining in 'character' perfectly. Brilliant riffs and solos dovetail brilliantly, and these lyrics are untouchable;
"And if you try to save your soul, I will torment you - you shall not grow old! With every second, and passing breath, you'll be so alone your soul will bleed to death!" Track ends with instruments clashing and 'Satan' laughing!
2. 'Infinite Dreams' (Written by Harris)
An absolutely magnificent multi-layered epic from the reinvigorated Steve Harris. Beginning as a 'slow-burner' with slow pace and keyboards, each verse and bridge is slightly different, giving the song an incredibly interesting 'texture'. Time changes abound, and the song builds to a crescendo, then fades out with an eternal question; 'Why do we exist?' This 'chapter' is the 'seventh son' questioning his visions and nightmares, and his very existence as he grows up.
3. 'Can I play with Madness' (Written by Smith/Dickinson/Harris)
Possibly the most well-known track, this is more typical of a Maiden song, loud and combustious, with a keyboard edge. More simplistic than other tracks, the chorus is a 'singalong' riot, and the 'chapter' involves the 'seventh son' consulting a prophet to discover his fate, with the answers not to his liking.
4. 'The evil that men do' (Written by Smith/Dickinson/Hariis)
An achingly good melodic guitar and synth open this wonderful track, with superb lyrics, and a lung-busting 'singalong' chorus; "The eee-vil that men do lives on and o-o-o-on!" Dickinson belts it out as only he can, and the track contains more references to the continuing story; "The seventh lamb slain, the book of life opens before me". It is the 'seventh son' experiencing the evil side of the men he wants to trust. A mighty epic indeed.
5. 'Seventh son of a Seventh son' (Written by Harris)
The centrepiece of the album, it tells the tale of the 'seventh son''s journey so far, from the perspective of the narrator, rather than the 'seventh son' himself. Multi-layered, with haunting keyboards organs increasing the drama. Chorus is a bit predictable, but Dickinson's "Oh-oooohhhh" wails are affecting and suitable, and guitar synths are tremendous. After many twists and turns, the music fades to just a bass and synth, with Dickinson 'reading' from the 'prophecy' of the 'seventh son'. From here, the solos are ear-splitting, with background vocals and dramatic organ touches interjecting the breakneck guitar-driven climax. Then out of nowhere, simply brilliant melodic riffs flow towards the pounding end. Whew!
6. 'The prophecy' (Written by Murray/Harris)
After a gorgeous, lilting synth/guitar opening, this builds to a track that contains hook after hook, with unbeatable vocal structures and sublime lyrics. The 'chapter' describes the 'seventh son' offering his 'prophecy' of the imminent destruction of a village. The villagers turn against him, and are powerless to their inevitable end. More knowing lyrical references;
"Purgatory beckons (souls lost forever)
Life after Death (or Heaven hereafter)
Heard the call of the seven whistlers again,
Now Lucifer laughs, hell awaits!"
Dickinson's voice overflows with passion, as he takes on the guilt of the 'seventh son' who blames himself for the villager's deaths. Marvellously inventive, with a lovely acoustic flourish on the fade-out.
7. 'The Clairvoyant' (Written by Harris)
Instantly recognisable opening, with an invincible riff, this is an emotionally-charged power-anthem about the 'seventh son' (who else), worrying about the power he has been bestowed with. Intriguingly, it cuts between the 'seventh son's' soul-searching, and the narrative; "Just by looking through your eyes, He could see the future, penetrating right in through your mind, see your truth and see your lies, but, for all his power, couldn't foresee his own demi-i-i-se!", and back again. Ends on a positive note, with the 'seventh son' speculating about his possible reincarnation!
8. 'Only the good die young' (Written by Harris/Dickinson)
A galloping drum-beat, and incredibly uplifting melody surge through this final 'chapter', this is an anthem to injustice, through the 'seventh son''s eyes. More lovely twinkling synths and keyboards play their part, and the guitars star as always, making for an immensely satisfying finale.
For symmetrical purposes, we now hear another rendition of the 'seven deadly sins' song, but missing the line; "...and your trip begins...", before we fade out.

A joy to behold, this quite simply a marvel of a concept album. A couple of niggles are that there is no fixed ending, and that maybe the album is slightly too short at just eight tracks. In an interview after he left the band, i read that Bruce Dickinson thought that 'Seventh son...' was incomplete, and only 'half-great', and that 'Operation:Mindcrime' by Queensryche was far superior. Make of that what you will. A 'Seventh son' part II? Well, it is coming up to Maiden's fourteenth studio album! Who knows? A very clever play on the album's number was to be repeated with 'The X Factor', but this was a one-off. I just hope i have done it justice.
Should be widely available for cheap, especially on e-bay i would think.
Even non-metal fans should treat their ears and minds to this masterpiece, and may like to note that the incredible 'Eddie' artwork was continued on the four top-ten singles that Maiden notched up from this album, the most hits from any of their back catalogue.  

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