The criticized Iron Maiden album on Steve Harris Top 3

THE Iron Maiden He was forced to make a move to his tenth studio album. The x Factor mark the debut of Blaze Bayley as a vocalist, a vacancy that was Bruce Dickinson. He decided to leave the group in 1993 for, according to his own, to feel artistically stagnant next to his colleagues.

Despite a marketing campaign that involved a supposed selective for the singer’s post, Maiden resorted to Bayley, an old known for his work with the Wolfsbane – Attraction of the opening of the iron maiden at other times. Its vocal record is very different from that presented by Dickinson: it was more severe and less flexible. The stage of stage, clearly contained and poorly energetic, was also distinguished.

The x Factor ended up becoming the first album since Killers (1981) not to be at the top 5 of the British parade – occupied the eighth place. It was also bad in the United States, not from 147th position. On the other hand, its main single, “Man on the Edge”repeated the feat of direct predecessors and reached the top 10 of the United Kingdom; more specifically the tenth place. Both fans and expert journalists rejected the work as a whole.

Steve Harris It does not agree with negative assessments. In an interview published in the biographical book Run to The Hills, Maiden’s bassist and leader even puts The x Factor in your personal top 3.

“It’s one of the top three albums I’ve ever done, being the other two PIECE OF MIND (1983) and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988). I found a special album. Like it or not, there was that additional pressure to get along well because of the new singer; So we really divert our way to try to make it as strong as possible. We ended up making 14 songs, but we use only 11, which is unusual for us. In general, we use everything we recorded, you know? ”

In Harris’s view, even, the 1995 work is “as if it were an extension of Seventh Son of a Seventh Son“At least” in terms of progressive character. “

“It’s a very sinister album, partly because I am facing so many personal problems at the time [nota: Steve estava se divorciando de sua esposa, Lorraine, após 16 anos]. Without a doubt, this was reflected lyrically. But it’s not just me. Blaze has a very dark side too. He may be the party Lord, but also has that face of Lord of Shadows. ”

Repercussion of The X Factor, from Iron Maiden

The divided reception to The x Factor Leave Steve Harris intrigued. For the bassist, Iron Maiden was harmed by some coincidences.

“The album came out the same week as the work of Princefrom the Madonna and other sales champions against which we could not compete. ”

Interestingly, Blaze Bayley did not surprise the low in sales. The singer, who remained in formation until 1999 – when Bruce Dickinson returned -, reflected to the same book:

“Some of the boys were disappointed because the album was in 8th position, but for me it was fantastic. Number 8! I never had a top 10 album before; so, I found it genius!”

Besides Bayley and Harris, The x Factor was recorded by Dave Murray (guitar), Janick Gers (guitar) and Nicko McBrain (battery). According to Steve, the trio cited was critical for Iron Maiden not to end after Dickinson’s departure and the bassist’s personal problems.

Rolling Stone Brazil Special: Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden on the cover: A Rolling Stone Brazil He launched an edition of unpublished collector for fans of the Heavy Metal band. The biggest albums, the list of shows in Brazil, the power of the group’s market and even a tour of the band’s plane you can see in the printed special, for sale at Profile store.

+++ Read more: Bruce Dickinson has 3 Brazilians in his ‘new’ album; We talk to one of them
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+++ Read more: the 6 best lines in Steve Harris, according to the
+++ Read more: Janick Gers explains why you move crazy on stage
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• Blaze Bayley

• Iron Maiden

• Steve Harris