Best Tune on "Fear of the Dark" by Iron Maiden

Fear of the Dark



Recorded 1991 – April 1992 at Barnyard Studios, Essex, England
Released May 11 1992

Tough one here because it's a solid album that delivers the good but saves the best for last. The title track is an undisputed classic, and I can't argue that. I had to go with it. Had it not existed on this record, I'd probably go with Fear is the Key, relentless Middle Eastern riffing and some damn provocative lyrics.

The band went really metal with this one, with the most AC/DC style riffing yet. In a way that makes it a lesser album than most for me--in fact, I found I enjoyed No Prayer more than this. When I first heard it as a kid I wasn't terribly impressed, but in my early 20's it kind of came to life.

That said, this is how I would rank the pre-Blaze/reunion albums (feel free to do the same):

Powerslave
Number of the Beast
Killers
Piece of Mind
Iron Maiden
Somewhere in Time
No Prayer for the Dying
Fear of the Dark
Seventh Son

I went with "Chains of Misery".

1. Iron Maiden
2. Powerslave
3. Number of the Beast
4. Somewhere in Time
5. Piece of Mind
6. Killers
7. Fear of the Dark
8. Seventh Son
9. No Prayer for the Dying

metalinmyveins wrote:

I went with "Chains of Misery".

That's my number three, even if it sounds more appropriate for Dokken. Sure is a hooky tune.

corplhicks wrote:

metalinmyveins wrote:

I went with "Chains of Misery".

That's my number three, even if it sounds more appropriate for Dokken. Sure is a hooky tune.

My top 3: Chains of Misery, Fear of the Dark, Judas Be My Guide.

The title track for me.

From Here to Eternity


Love that tune.

I used to have this CD. Enjoyed listening to it on Spotify so much I bought the Amazon download. I like all the songs: title track, Apparition, Weekend Warrior, Judas My Guide, etc. The only song I don't dig that much is From Here To Eternity, but it has good parts.

Voted for Afraid To Shoot Strangers.

The title track, followed by the very underrated Judas Be My Guide.

The Fugitive, Fear of the Dark, Be Quick or be Dead.

I like this album a lot. The ever changing Eddie surprised me yet again, love the cover.

Voted for the title track. I remember getting this when it was released. Still a good album.

The top 3 for me are Be Quick, Afraid To Shoot Strangers and Childhood's End.

Be Quick Or Be Dead might just be my favourite Maiden album opener. Or at least second favourite after Aces High. I love it. That's my vote.

Afraid to Shoot Strangers is dark and epic, and would have been a great fit on the X-Factor as well.

Childhood's End is haunting and the lyrics are just as relevant today.

Fear of the dark. But i equally love be quick or be dead.

My favorite maiden album.

voted for BQoBD, there are much better songs than FotD. e.g. judas, weekend, chain, eternity.
FotD is chronicaly known song i almost hate. enough is enough.

Went with the title track, great song that is even better live than on the album.

Afraid To Shoot Stranger is a cool track that was nice surprise on the Maiden England tour.

Quote :

Afraid To Shoot Stranger is a cool track that was nice surprise on the Maiden England tour.

That's why I voted for it. I never paid much attention to the song until I saw a video of the 2013 Rio show. Great addition to the set.

Fear of the Dark

Afraid...........................Afraid to Shoot Strangers

Just finished listening to the album and will say it's better than the last one.
Lot's of good songs, but (IMHDO) nothing really great.
My vote goes to "Childood's End"

My rank of the first run of pre-Blaze/reunion albums
1. Piece of Mind
2. Number of the Beast
3. Killers
4. Iron Maiden
5. Somewhere in Time
6. Powerslave


The rest of them

1. Fear of the dark
2. Afraid to shoot strangers

Title track here too, tho "Here to Eternity" and "Be Quick or Be Dead" are strong contenders as well.

Title track is one of my favorite Maiden tunes.

Judas Be My Guide is one of my favorite Maiden tracks, so I went with it. This is a really strong album. Even though I really like the underrated No Prayer, I still think this is a step up.

My favorite pre-Blaze albums rank like this.

Somewhere in Time
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Piece of Mind
The Number of the Beast
Powerslave
Iron Maiden
Fear of the Dark
Killers
No Prayer for the Dying

title track for me.

My pre-Blaze ranking:

Somewhere in Time
The Number of the Beast
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Powerslave
Piece of Mind
Iron Maiden
Fear of the Dark
Killers
No Prayer for the Dying

journeyman wrote:

The Fugitive, Fear of the Dark, Be Quick or be Dead.

I like this album a lot. The ever changing Eddie surprised me yet again, love the cover.

I love the song Fugitive as well. And this album art work, I consider it the best of any Maiden albums.

From Here to Eternity.


Great album!