Artist: IRON MAIDEN
Album: FEAR OF THE DARK REMASTERED (CD)

Year: 1992
EAN/UPS: 724349692503
Media type: CD

The 'Fear Of The Dark' album, cut again at Steve Harris's own Barnyard Studios in Essex and released in May 1992, heralded another change for the band as, for the first time, sleeve artist Derek Riggs was not used. In came noted sci-fi artist Melvyn Grant who lent the album cover, depicting Eddie as a tree wraith, a more up to date feel. Once more IRON MAIDEN reached the British number 1 position in the album charts. The album had been preceded by the single 'Be Quick Or Be Dead' in April. The traditional exclusive B sides involved 'Nodding Donkey Blues', a tongue in cheek Blues song, and a cover version of MONTROSE's 'Space Station no.5', complete with additional expletives courtesy of Bruce Dickinson. 'Be Quick Or Be Dead' only just fell short of giving the band it's second UK number one single.

Taking on the title THE NODDING DONKEYS, the group performed a warm up at the Norwich Oval pub on June 3rd before flying to Iceland for the very first time to play at the Laugadallshollin in the capitol Reykjavik on the 5th. A US tour started somewhat unusually in New York at The Ritz, seeing DREAM THEATER as guests on the 8th. The North American tour proper, running through until July 17th at the Sunrise Theater in Miami, Florida, saw CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and TESTAMENT as backing bands.

Whilst in the USA, EMI Records issued the album's second single, 'From Here To Eternity', on June 28th, this reaching number 21 on the UK charts. Naturally a crop of unique B sides kept ardent fans happy. IRON MAIDEN re-worked CHUCK BERRY's immortal 'Roll Over Beethoven' into 'Roll Over Vic Vella' in tribute to the band's former road manager. Also included were live takes on 'Public Enema Number One' and 'No Prayer For The Dying', both recorded at the Wembley Arena on December 17th 1990.

Fellow Londoners THUNDER joined the band for South American shows, in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Shows in these first two territories, at the Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium in Buenos Aires on July 25th and Estacion General Artigas, Montevideo on the 28th, gave the band two more firsts. Throughout August and September a series of European dates were conducted with a variety of support acts including W.A.S.P., WARRANT, FACE TO FACE and TESTAMENT. In the midst of these shows, on August 22nd, IRON MAIDEN headlined the Castle Donington 'Monsters Of Rock' festival, in front of 70,000 fans alongside SLAYER, THUNDER, SKID ROW, W.A.S.P. and THE ALMIGHTY, for the second time. This concert, which included a highlight when former guitarist Adrian Smith joined the band onstage for 'Running Free', would be taped for a live album release.

A third single lifted from the album, 'Wasting Love', arrived on September 1st. Again tapes from the Wembley Arena gig on December 17th 1990 were used for live B sides 'Tailgunner', 'Holy Smoke' and 'The Assassin'.

IRON MAIDEN still had territories yet to conquer and played Puerto Rico, the Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel in San Juan on September 26th, Mexico, the Mexico City's Sports Palace on October 1st, and Venezuela, the Poliedro in Caracas on October 9th and 10th, all for the first occasion. Crossing the Pacific Ocean, IRON MAIDEN racked up another first in New Zealand, performing at the Auckland Logan Campbell Centre supported by New Plymouth band THE NOD on October 20th. Concerts in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia followed with guests JUDGE MERCY. 'Fear Of The Dark' touring was finalised with seven shows in Japan in early November.

However, fans were beginning to learn of disquiet in the camp. Throughout the tour rumours flew of BRUCE DICKINSON's discontent within the band. The vocalist had been strenuously pursuing his solo career as well as his new found additional career as a novelist.

IRON MAIDEN performed their final gig with Dickinson at Pinewood Studios in front of an audience of lucky members of the band's fan club. This turned out to be no ordinary gig either, as magician Simon Drake, noted for his gory stunts, put paid to members of the band prior to the finale of Dickinson being ritually slain by Drake at the end of the televised show.

This period of IRON MAIDEN's career was capped with the 1993 release of two live albums, 'A Real Live One', in March, and 'A Real Dead One', in October. The two sets, divided into old and new material, were recorded over a wide range of venues throughout 1992. Also arriving, in November, would be a limited edition live opus 'Live At Donington'. Clad in a plain white printed sleeve, the record captured Dickinson's last major festival performance when IRON MAIDEN headlined the 'Monsters Of Rock' festival on 22nd August 1992.

TRACKLIST:

1. Be Quick Or Be Dead
2. From Here To Eternity
3. Afraid To Shoot Strangers
4. Fear Is The Key
5. Childhood's End
6. Wasting Love
7. The Fugitive
8. Chains of Misery
9. The Apparition
10. Judas Be My Guide
11. Weekend Warrior
12. Fear Of The Dark

LINE-UP:

Bruce Dickinson (vocals)
Dave Murray (guitar)
Janick Gers (guitar)
Steve Harris (bass)
Nicko McBrain (drums)