Roger Schultz 
Maybe it was the inverted colors or the down-tuned power cords, maybe it was just the burrito I ate for lunch. I tried to review it but my ass just didn’t like it.
Iron Maiden is a band that’s been around forever and a day. They’re true metal masters. I’ve often wondered, can we really accept a version of this band without Bruce Dickinson?
True fans of metal know Paul Di’Anno was Iron Maiden’s first vocalist. He fronted the band from 1978 to 1981 and released two studio albums, Iron Maiden (1980) and Killers (1981) as well as a live offering, appropriately titled, Maiden Japan (1981).
Di’Anno was fired and replaced with Bruce Dickinson. We could say the rest was history but Bruce actually left Iron Maiden after the Fear Of The Dark tour in 1993.
This was a dark time for heavy metal. Emotionally serious ‘grunge’ bands dominated the airwaves while the carefree style of heavy metal became an afterthought. It was during this period that Iron Maiden hired Blaze Bayley as their new vocalist.
Bayley was the lead singer of Wolfsbane from 1984 to 1994 and Iron Maiden from 1994 to 1999 releasing two studio albums, The X Factor (1995) and Virtual XI (1998). Both releases were the lowest-charting Iron Maiden studio albums since Killers (1981).
In my opinion, everything by Iron Maiden during this time period sucked ass. I could accept Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens fronting Judas Priest, which happened in 1996, because he sounded like Rob Halford and the material was ungodly heavy, but this version of Iron Maiden makes me want to throw up, swallow it, then throw up some more! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Blaze Bailey doesn’t have talent, but fronting Iron Maiden? I just don’t get it…
I often wonder, if he didn’t have a brief stint in Iron Maiden would he be relevant today?
Now to the music video for “Virus”. I’ve got to admit, I looked at it for 10 seconds and I literally ran to the bathroom feeling like I was going to shit my pants! Maybe it was the inverted colors or the down-tuned power cords, maybe it was just the burrito I ate for lunch. I tried to review it but my ass just didn’t like it.
If you’re feeling adventurous and you’ve got a strong stomach, check out Iron Maiden’s “Virus” but if you’re like me you’ll just stick to the music sung by Bruce! \m/
IRON MAIDEN (1994-1999):
- Blaze Bayley – Vocals
- Dave Murray – Guitars
- Janick Gers – Guitars
- Steve Harris – Bass
- Nicko McBrain – Drums
