At least half a classic that will appeal not so hardcore fans!

The 1992's Fear of the Dark was the last time being Maiden album with the voiced and energetic Bruce Dickinson, the fixed since the classic THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST part of the Maiden family and from there actually indeed was not indispensable. Not later than his brilliant return when (not umunstrittenen) classic Brave New World (2000) underlined his untouchable status with fans and probably within the band. After the mid- to late nineties were (just without said men on board) for Iron Maiden pretty patchy and quite honestly - even for me (although I'm not a fan of the first hour, which I like to admit) is Brave New World, a MAIDEN classic, as I find the albums without Mr. Dickinson is not nearly as interesting and also do not own it. Only the second album KILLERS I've already had and flirted so ... Anyway, be that as it often in his hand.

Fear of the dark is now therefore the temporary end of a very, very great era, which has, among other things such caliber as Somewhere in Time or even SEVENTH SON OF ... brought to light. Personally, I find indeed not universally popular predecessor work to hiesigem album, released in 1990 namely the No Prayer For The Dying, succeeded for quite, but even that is again another story ...

Let's briefly: contains objections plate soberly considered basically "only" a real, true Maiden classics and this is the title track, which is also live (still) very regularly given to the best. The album would be alone now moor at this class track fatal. Because: Fear Of The Dark has actually yet to have some more high-caliber, I like to hang up again.
The very raw and energetic "Be Quick Or Be Dead" had once as a single huge success, which is certainly also the accompanying video is likely to be due in part, that's just well done and is likely to have quite well the spirit of that time. As for me personally, the melodic side of Irons like better than the rough coarseness (I may, for example, the right raw debut album also do not like to), this is not my favorite song on the disc, but an overall successful opening number, perhaps the style also not so bad on the previous (No Prayer For The Dying) would have fit.
Then we would have at track no. 2, namely "From Here to Eternity", also (to my knowledge) released as a single and still under Maiden disciples highly controversial. For my part I'm counting this song of the most successful on this album. The reef is just great and the track is also super built. So - why not?
"Afraid To Shoot Strangers" is more of a ballad (though it already even louder towards the end) and runs wild for my taste a bit too much. Although the song contains some good elements, overall it is for me but no revelation.
"Fear Is The Key" is in my opinion, nice accessories, again with some good elements, but ultimately not a perennial favorite.
More interesting is "Childhood's End", which surprisingly over and over again unpacked and delights me anew. Above all, the constantly recurring main theme (chorus) with its Western charm makes simply fun and has class. A very entertaining and melodic piece that was for my modest concepts very well interpreted. For me one of the highlights of the plate!
"Wasting Love", an attempt to schmaltzy ballad a la Guns & Roses (with all due respect to these gentlemen) is, in my opinion, not at all and is not only to this totally out of place. Please do not be angry and really no offense, but this song would have Dickinson & Co to give. The whole thing sounds simply placed, strained and implausible to. Best just skip ...
With "The Fugitive", a block of good, but not outstanding songs is initiated. Also "Chains Of Misery", "The Apparition" and "Judas Be My Guide" I do not consider particularly worth highlighting - is just (as always) a matter of taste. At the same time these are all also no bad tracks. They are certainly all worth listening to and have their interesting passages, but are ultimately not as nice accessories ...
Very good, however I like again "Weekend Warrior" which deserved in my opinion, more live presence. A very atmospheric song with lots of interesting parts, which never loses its atmosphere. For me, again a highlight on the plate!
In addition to concluding track, namely "Fear Of The Dark" I have already written on the one hand and on the other of these classics is already beyond doubt. A more than worthy final track - based not only on the album selbt, also overlooking the (temporary) withdrawal of Mr. Dickinson. Just great!

Summary: Overall, FEAR OF THE DARK is a coherent album, on which more melodious, relatively "quieter" numbers take precedence. From today's perspective could be in this respect might even speak of a certain melancholy mood that (although this is actually an inappropriate word, but could not care less) this "restraint" explains - it was probably foreseeable or foregone conclusion that Bruce Dickinson in the future his solo wanted to dedicate -projects ... Or am I wrong here?
The production (mixing, mastering) in my view leaves nothing to be desired, and the songwriting never goes below mediocrity, only the ballad and arg accident "Wasting Love" here forms a grim exception.
Contains With "Be Qick Or Be Dead", "From Here to Eternity" (we suggest not lynch me, love Maiden fans), "Childhood's End" and "Weekend Warrior" and "Fear Of The Dark": And the most important thing This plate also many high-caliber, who until today but purely übrhaupt nothing lost in her class!

For that reason alone, so I think, this album may in no Iron Maiden collection missing (even if, like mine, should be patchy). Also not so hardcore fans should try with FEAR OF THE DARK once. In addition to Brave New World, this is perhaps those Maiden disc that can be tapped most rapidly, even if you're not really a metal and / or Maiden fan.

Go ahead: Just try it ... It only remains to wish a lot of joy while listening to and discovering!

A great album with great production and a few real treat!

Finally, I would once again reveal my personal Anspieltipps:
- From Here To Eternity (2)
- Childhood's End (5)
- Weekend Warrior (11)
- Fear Of The Dark (12)