Album Review- Iron Maiden: SomeWhere In Time

Somewhere In Time is the 6th studio album by Iron Maiden and was released in 1986. Now I, like so many metalheads, worship Iron Maiden they are undeniably one of the greatest live metal acts to see and their discography especially their 80s albums are all just one home run after another. However, the album that stands out as the black sheep would be Somewhere in Time. This album, likes Judas Priests Turbo released the same year, marks the bands first use of guitar synthesizers giving it more of a mainstream feel. But the question is whether or not the album is underrated or is it just a weak album full of forgettable songs.

Track Rundown

1.Caught Somewhere in Time- Right off the bat you are hit with a super spacey feel with the heavy synths and epic twin guitars and then the drums and bass kick in it really gets you going and then BOOM everything just blows up and the band sounds as fast as ever here. Bruce Dickinsons soaring vocals during the chorus just makes you go crazy they really need to play this song live again it would get such a good reaction.One of the best Maiden solos i have heard as well.

2.Wasted Years- Still a classic to hear live today it has a very strong chorus Just Bruces vocals sound their most powerful here to me than any album before. the whole song makes for a good live track i really like the bass especially here and how it is sang another amazing song.

3.Sea Of Sadness- I love Mcbrains drumming here how he manages to play a single bass pedal like its a double bass pedal it amazes me all the time. This track isn't totally up to par with the past two but it is amazing nonetheless it all blends together very well.

4.Heaven Can Wait- I love the quiet opener on this track another bigger song for the band which was on their setlist a few years ago and should be again and Bruce singing with the fast guitar riffing makes it even more catchy. There is a very power metal feeling here as well and the chorus sounds like it could be in any Sonic The Hedgehog game it just has that charm to it. Another standout track to me with powerful instrumentals and catchy vocals.

5.The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner- This track starts with some very cool picking in the beginning. Adrian Smith and Dave Murrays playing on the whole album is just flawless The chorus is just i cant even find words to describe it. Dickinson really is giving everything hes got to get out those lines and makes this track 10x more epic than it already is which is why he is one of the greatest metal vocalists alive. The guitar harmonies are amazing as well. Another faster track and another i wish they would play live.

6.Stranger In A Strange Land- I love the space guitar feel here i don't know how they get it but it just captures everything about Maiden in the 80s. the vocals are awesome and just so out in space and futuristic which the whole album gives off. another cool chorus. Harris's bass sounds really tight on this track as well and seems a bit more audible. The solo is freakin epic as hell on this one too. Another song THEY NEED TO PLAY LIVE AGAIN!!!!

7.Deja Vu- This track i honestly never heard much it starts very majestically and shoots into a very melodic power metal part the guitar riffs are really catchy Bruces double track vocals sound awesome here too. This track is seriously underrated it is certainly not  a throw away track.

8.Alexander The Great- The closer of the album and it starts pretty cool with the wind and the instruments in the backround setting a nice tone. The song is very melodic but not fast and to me is probably the most forgettable one on this album. It would work well with Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son which is my all time favorite Iron Maiden album i would think if it were like a bonus track. Still a solid track just not an amazing closer it really does show the progressive side of Iron Maiden though.

Overall, this album gets 9.5 out of 10. I really enjoy this album it is just an awesome record from the 80s and to me just sounds like that decade as well. i love the sound they got as well it is such a strong piece of music i just wish they would play more songs off of it live.