With such superb albums as Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, and Powerslave, Iron Maiden had forged a completely original heavy metal sound. Feeling that they'd taken it as far it could go, the band decided to broaden their sound with the use of synthesizers for their sixth studio album, 1986's Somewhere in Time. While many other metal bands used synths in the '80s to appeal to the pop audience, Maiden wisely did not overindulge. Instead, they used them to create textures, and were rewarded with one of their most commercially successful releases. And although Maiden's next album, 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, would perfect this new approach, Somewhere contains many a highlight. Both the "do it now" rocker "Wasted Years" and the more melodic "Stranger in a Strange Land" were successful singles/videos, while other prominent tracks included the album-closing epic, "Alexander the Great," the frenzied opener, "Caught Somewhere in Time," and the singalong concert fave, "Heaven Can Wait." Although not quite as substantial as its predecessors (filler crops up here and there), Somewhere in Time succeeded in broadening Maiden's sound without alienating their longtime metal fans. [On all of Iron Maiden's 1998 reissues on Raw Power a multimedia section is featured on the CD, which includes videos, band biographies, tour date history, and photo galleries.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Maiden peaked at this albulm, i saw this tour when i was 13 awsome the guitar synths sounded great not like priest on turbo or Def leppard, "Sea of madness" wasted years are classics And the other songs are great also no fillers here
I always thought this was Maiden's best album. I understand why many folks would vote for Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind or Powerslave, but this one and 7th Son to me captured the fullest potential of the Dickinson-Smith era. Adrian was sorely missed after 7th Son, and the next several albums were a band in decline until the Maiden "reunion" of the 21st century.
No sh*t. The critic above nailed it though. I grew up with all the old fav's:Killers, Piece... and they didn't lose me on this one. Although it is a little more predictable than their older ones, it still keeps me interested, and still gets a regular spin on my stereo.