Iron Maiden ‎– Iron Maiden (1980)

Iron Maiden is the self-titled debut album by the English heavy metal band, released in 1980 on EMI.

“Phantom of the Opera” – Interlocking guitar/bass fugue in Aflat, landing in B, scaling upward, mutating into a sizzling, staccato HOTS-like figure over a syncopated drum pattern, alternated with a brisk ¾ gallop, settling in Fmin… Di’Anno enters @:59… lyrics about (?) some aging viper woman (not about the famous character)… his vocals are somewhat faint in the mix but his syllables are tricky when timed to the bars… @2:05, cadence opens with fluid accents on 2s and 4s over pulsing bassline and muted guitar figure, bluesy/bendy/lyrical guitar solo carries over the 3:00 mark amid crisp, trebly basswork… halt @3:20, bassline kickstarts track with 3-note fugue, interwoven with tight high-octave triad tapping pull-offs (ala Squire/Banks), gallop resumes as the bass/guitar dual circles over an Fm/Af/Bf/D#/Eb progression, guitar switches to open-cadence chordal sustains over last two measures…. Cadence tightens @4:30, reputation continues, bluesy leads seep in @5:00… ¾ gallop cuts in @6:20, reprises song proper for the final 40 seconds where Di’Anno sings final verse, ends abruptly at 7:04 on the word “lair”

Tracklist:
A1. “Prowler” (3:55)
A2. “Remember Tomorrow” (5:27)
A3. “Running Free” (3:16)
A4. “Phantom of the Opera” (7:20)
B1. “Transylvania” (Instrumental) (4:05)
B2. “Strange World” (5:45)
B3. “Charlotte the Harlot” (4:12)
B4. “Iron Maiden” (3:35)

1980 shortplayer sides:
“Sanctuary” (3:17)

Credits:
Paul Di’Anno – lead vocals
Steve Harris – bass, backing vocals
Dennis Stratton – guitar, backing vocals
Dave Murray – guitar
Clive Burr – drums

Wil Malone – producer