To be honest, this review, article or whatever it is, has been a draft for ages, and was binned a few times as I wasn’t sure how to complete it. The Iron Maiden theme stays, but I’ve ranked Derek Riggs artwork of Eddie the Head designs. From the iconic, all the way to meh… a white label might have looked better.
This one’s scored on the eye candy, and not the musical content. Let’s begin.
1. Powerslave
Classic.
Probably one of the most recognisable covers in metal history. The Egyptian theme and the sheer amount of detail in the monument is just insane.
2. Somewhere In Time
Honestly this artwork might even be better than Powerslave. The only reason it sits at number two is because the first cover is just more iconic. The futuristic city is packed with hidden easter eggs.
3. Killers
Perfect. Yeah, Eddie the Head with a bloody axe in an alleyway is exactly what Maiden is about.
4. The Number of the Beast
It’s literally Eddie controlling a demon like a puppet.
What more do you need to say.
5. Piece of Mind
Lobotomised Eddie breaking out of a straightjacket.
It’s a simple idea, and makes a statement.
6. Fear of the Dark
This cover looks like a full scene straight out of a horror movie.
Tree monster Eddie in the moonlight is legendary.
7. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Surreal and icy.
And if you look closely the half-body Eddie holding his own glowing organs gets… interesting.
8. Iron Maiden
The original punk-zombie Eddie.
Raw compared to the others, but this is our first glimpse of Eddie.
9. Brave New World
Eddie’s face forming in the storm clouds over futuristic London.
Fits the grand scale of the album perfectly.
10. Senjutsu
The samurai armour design makes Eddie look badass.
“Hell on Earth” is a track that genuinely got an emotional reaction out of me.
11. A Matter of Life and Death
Eddie leading a skeleton army on a tank.
Dark and pretty intense looking, which fits the war themes.
12. The Book of Souls
Vanilla compared to others since it’s just a black background, but the Mayan Eddie face is striking.
13. The Final Frontier
Fun concept with alien Eddie in space.
Still not quite as strong as the covers ranked above it.
14. No Prayer for the Dying
Eddie bursting out of a grave.
Pretty generic cover.
15. The X Factor
They used a physical model of Eddie being dissected.
Not sure why, but this one always felt a bit creepy to me. Though “Sign of the Cross” is a great track.
16. Virtual XI
Could probably be called unoriginal. Just a kid in a VR headset with a dated CGI Eddie in the background.
17. Dance of Death
Pretty ugly cover honestly. It looks like unfinished computer graphics, and Stanley Kubricks Eyes Wide Shut.
Still, the album itself isn’t as bad as people often say.
To read more of my album reviews read here.
