IRON MAIDEN – “No Prayer For The Dying” – Revisiting This 1990 Metal Classic
I remember buying No Prayer For The Dying back in 1990. I thought it was so cool that this (now classic) album was releasing in October, the season of Halloween. This album now forever reminds me of Haloween too. Can you dig it? I bought the cassette version first and upgraded to CD some years later.
I still have the same CD (with the original cover art and not the bogus edited version) and just recently sold the cassette. Amazing I had the same cassette all these decades. Unreal. As for the album’s songs, I have my favorites: Tailgunner, Holy Smoke, No Prayer For The Dying, Hooks In You and Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter. “Holy Smoke… Smells Good”… I love that stuff.
I believe this IRON MAIDEN album doesn’t get the full credit it so deserves. In my Metal opinion, when I look at the Bruce Dickinson era of IRON MAIDEN, this album kicks more Metal ass than Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son and The Final Frontier. Sure, Adrian Smith left the band and Janick Gers came on board with the production of this album; does it really freaking matter after all these years? Both guitarists are living legends, to this Metal maniac. What’s fabulous about this album is the songs are very much written like those of their 80’s classics; with no eleven minute over progressive baloney.
Bruce Dickinson sounds so superb on this album, per usual. Bruce truly shows his range on Public Enema Number One; just another memorable song on this album for me. I honestly listened to the cassette version of this album in my car, so many times, it’s nothing short of amazing. Without a trace of doubt, I have never grown tired of No Prayer For The Dying. This release is a MUST for any new IRON MAIDEN fans out there and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The only reason this album didn’t get it’s just due is for the year of its release. I believe if this album was released in 1987 or 1988 it would be regarded as highly as Somewhere In Time. Just saying. Metal be thy name. – Stone
Martin “The Bishop” Birch produced, engineered and mixed No Prayer For The Dying. This album was released via Epic. The iconic artist Derek Riggs created the incredible album cover.
IRON MAIDEN: Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Dave Murray (guitar), Janick Gers (guitar), Steve Harris (bass) and Nicko McBrain on drums.
LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN.
STONE.
March 22, 2019 at 4:08 am
I was disappointed at first with it but it grew on me. The first side is great, second is a bit patchy.
March 22, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Yes, it grew on me too. The more I listened to this album in recent years the more I dig all the songs… yet Mother Russia is a bit hokey.
March 23, 2019 at 2:31 pm
Good job it’s the last song! You can just click stop hehe.