Iron Maiden - Fear Of The Dark

Album - Fear Of The Dark
Artist - Iron Maiden
Released - 12th May, 1992
Reviewed by - Vaibhav Jain

Fear Of The Dark is British band Iron Maiden's 9th studio album and was released on 12th May, 1992. This album features some experimentation in the form of Speed Metal and a power ballad. It was after this album that lead singer Bruce Dickinson decide to pursue a solo carreer and he was succeeded by Blaze Bayley.This album was the first Maiden album which did not feature cover artwork by Derek Riggs. It was in this album that for the very first time Janick Gers, the guitarist also wrote lyrics for some songs. The album has a running time of 58.31 minutes.

The opening track on the album is"Be Quick Or Be Dead" which is about the various political scandals going around at that time. This track was an experimentation and sounded more like Speed Metal.

This is followed by "From here To Eternity". The song is the fourth and most recent song in the ongoing saga of "Charlotte the Harlot" (other songs include "Charlotte the Harlot," "22 Acacia Avenue," and "Hooks in You"). The songs tells the tale of Charlotte going on a fateful motorcycle ride with the Devil.

Then comes "Afraid To Shoot Strangers". This song has a slow opening but after some minutues explodes into what Maiden really is. It is about soldiers on war and is a fan favourite. The song is played live regularly by Maiden in their concerts.

This is followed by songs "Fear Is The Key" and "Childhood's End" which is about how life becomes tougher as one becomes older and has to face the cruel world on his own. This song too has an amazingly hypnotic opening and great guitar work by the Maiden Trio.

Then comes a very un-Maiden like song. A powerballad by the name of "Wasting Love". This is only the first power ballad of the 2 maiden has made. The song has a good opening with an amazing solo in the song. The single cover is the third Iron Maiden single not to feature the band's iconic mascot Eddie on the front cover (the previous examples being "Running Free (live)" and "From Here to Eternity").

Furthermore come the songs, "Chains Of Misery" and "The Apparition" the latter of which too is very un-Maiden like with no guitar intro whatsoever which is a rarity when it comes to Iron Maiden. The song also features lyrics which show a persons fear of something unnatural present with him in the same room as he is BUT the song is said with the veiwpoint of the "apparition" himself.

Then comes another fan favourite, "Judas Be My Guide". This song is a popular song well know for its great solo and amazing vocals. Then comes "Weekend Warrior" and then finally comes the title track itself.

"Fear Of The Dark" is the final track on the album and it can safely be said that Maiden certainly did save the best for last. The song is probably Iron Maiden's most popular song and is considerd a Metal anthem. It is about Harris'[The band's Bassist] childhood fear of the dark. The lyrics are amzingly descriptive and the chorus says it all ,"Fear of the dark, fear of the dark / I have a constant fear that someones always near / Fear of the dark, fear of the dark / I have a phobia that someones allways there". This being the most popular Iron Maiden song from the 1990s onward it has been played in every major live performance of the band since the album's release.

For every Maiden or NWOBHM fan this is a dream come true for you. Get it!

Rating - 4/5

Track listing:-

1. "Be Quick or Be Dead" (Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers) - 3:24
2. "From Here to Eternity" (Steve Harris) - 3:38
3. "Afraid to Shoot Strangers" (Harris) - 6:56
4. "Fear Is the Key" (Dickinson, Gers) - 5:35
5. "Childhood's End" (Harris) - 4:40
6. "Wasting Love" (Dickinson, Gers) - 5:50
7. "The Fugitive" (Harris) - 4:54
8. "Chains of Misery" (Dave Murray, Dickinson) - 3:37
9. "The Apparition" (Harris, Gers) - 3:54
10. "Judas Be My Guide" (Dickinson, Murray) - 3:08
11. "Weekend Warrior" (Harris, Gers) - 5:39
12. "Fear of the Dark" (Harris) - 7:18