By this point in time, nearly 2 years had passed since the release of Powerslave and nearly a year had passed since Live After Death was released, commemorating the World Slavery Tour of 1984-1985 that cemented IRON MAIDEN as one of the most legendary bands in all of metal.

And just like with any other advancements forward impacting time and technology, SOMEWHERE IN TIME, their 6th studio album (and the first to include, wait for it: guitar synths) proved to be a quantum leap forward into the future sound of their brand of progressive metal, with enough ambiance and atmosphere to give the album a sound that feels very futuristic and modern, yet also sounds perfectly at home in 1986.

Released 29 September 1986

Recorded 1986

Studio:

Compass Point (Nassau, Bahamas)

Wisseloord (Hilversum, Netherlands)

Producer:

Martin Birch

Maiden

Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals

Dave Murray – guitars

Adrian Smith – guitars

Steve Harris – bass

Nicko McBrain – drums

Tracks

Side 1

1 Caught Somewhere in Time

2 Wasted Years

3 Sea of Madness

4 Heaven Can Wait

Side 2

5 The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

6 Stranger in a Strange Land

7 Deja-Vu

8 Alexander the Great

Always remember to take an “insurance pee” before engaging in any time travel activities and be sure to “slow down” and take a moment to “pump your own gravy” (even if you felt “barely bothered” to do so at the time) and JOIN US as we dive into one of the most “timeless” albums in Maiden’s history, complete with guitar synthesizers and more multi-layered guitar harmonies than you could shake an interdimensional scepter at as we dive into the wormhole of metal and travel elsewhere (and elsewhen) with IRON MAIDEN, SOMEWHERE IN TIME.

CAUGHT SOMEWHERE IN TIME:

The synths are noticeable right out of the gate. To be fair though, it does add a bit of texture and richness to the overall sound; a bit of ambience if you will.

The multi-part harmonies and the galloping guitar, drums, and bass are all indicators of classic Iron Maiden. Actually, once everything comes in, the synths virtually vanish in the mix.

The harmony guitar parts on this record are some of the best on ANY Iron Maiden album EVER. Almost hard to believe this was the first studio album following Powerslave.

“Make you an offer you can’t refuse

You’ve only got your soul to lose

Eternally…Just let yourself go…”

WASTED YEARS:

One of the most iconic guitar melodies on any Iron Maiden song and/or album ever.

It’s a timeless song and could have easily been released in ’86 or ’96 (or even ’06) and it would have fit in perfectly with the musical landscape of any of those eras.

“Too much time on my hands, I got you on my mind

Can’t ease this pain so easily

When you can’t find the words to say, it’s hard to make it through another day

And it makes me wanna cry, throw my hands up to the sky…”

SEA OF MADNESS:

Always liked this one; it definitely has a “deep cut” kind of vibe.

The synths come back into play, although “to be fair”, the use of the guitar synths is quite subtle and done very tastefully.

The synths are definitely not “In your face” (like the St. Anger snare) so much as they are a “subtle addition” to the mix (like the subtle addition of “bass” on …AJFA).

The harmony guitar lines on this record are easily some of the best harmonies on anything Maiden did during the 80’s (if not their entire catalog).

There’s something about this particular track that has a distinctly 1986 sound to it. Not really sure why, but it’s definitely there.

“Somewhere I hear a voice that’s calling

Out in the dark there burns a dream

You got to hope when you are falling

To find the world that you have seen…”

HEAVEN CAN WAIT:

Probably one of the least favorite songs on this album. It’s really not a bad song, it’s actually pretty decent, but it’s just not as awesome (to some of us) as the rest of the songs on the album.

The solo section has a slightly different feel to it which actually makes the rest of the song better (although it does seem like some of the riffs sound a tad recycled.)

The clean guitar & synth during the “WHOA-OH-OH” part definitely sounds like 1986 for sure. You can hear the synths during the chorus part, particularly the final chorus…they’re much more up front in the mix.

“I have a lust for the Earth below

And Hell itself is my only foe

‘Cause I’ve no fear of dying

I’ll go when I’m good and ready…”

THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER:

Certainly one of the longest (mark the time) song titles in Iron Maiden’s history and definitely one of the best tracks of their career. The layering and the harmonies…and the THRASH! When everything comes in, that sounds like borderline thrash! The galloping, the speed, the intensity…The guitar part during the chorus (and the harmony line immediately following) contain the most incredible multi-part guitar harmonies on any Maiden record ever recorded.

“You reach the final stretch

Ideals are just a trace

You feel like throwing the race

It’s all so futile…”

STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND:

A bit slower and heavier than the preceding songs and definitely a much heavier synth presence on this track with a shitload of atmosphere.

It sort of has that “classic” (i.e. pre Live After Death) Maiden sound, like Piece of Mind PLUS…in terms of style and substance, with a bit of synth leading up to the actual guitar solo during the pre-guitar-solo solo). I can only surmise that the performance part of the music video was taken from “Somewhere On Tour” during the Somewhere on Time tour.

“Was many years ago that I left home and came this way

I was a young, man full of hopes and dreams

But now it seems that all is lost and nothing gained

Sometimes things ain’t what they seem…”

DÉJÀ VU:

Perhaps one of the greatest “pieces” on this record. The guitar harmonies on this one are absolutely top notch. There’s a bit of synth, yeah, but all it really does is add just a tiny bit of sonic texture and atmosphere.

(Again: subtlety.)

The middle harmony section seems to have potentially 4-part guitar harmonies (check out around the 2:48 mark):

1x: 2 octave harmonies

2x: 2 octave harmonies plus another (different) harmony

3x: 2 octave harmonies plus the above referenced 3rd (different) harmony plus an octave of that 3rd harmony (which would be 4).

“’Cause you know this has happened before

And you know that this moment in time is for real

And you know when you feel déjà vu…”

ALEXANDER THE GREAT:

“My son, ask for thyself another kingdom, for that which I leave is too small for thee.”

The synths and the background wind help to really give this song it’s visual, theatrical appeal. That lonely guitar part before everything comes in is ever so haunting & mysterious.

Certainly, a progressive opus that remains on par with earlier Maiden classics like “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “To Tame a Land”. The synths are more prominent here, but again, very tastefully done and well-orchestrated.

“Alexander the Great became a god amongst mortal men…he died of fever in Babylon.”

And they closed out the album with just a subtle bit of synth that was just as subtle as the subtle bit of synth that began the album.

“The battle-weary marching side by side

Alexander’s army line by line

They wouldn’t follow him to India

Tired of the combat, pain and the glory…”

Show Notes:

(00:01): “It’s at least…” / #microlength / “Two weeks in a row…” / #ageless / #timetravel / #birthdaymonthASMR / “Oh boy…oh geez…” / #thisepisodesclinkyoftheepisode (“What the heck is this?”) / #colamoonshinewhiskey / #colaflavoredmoonshine / ***WARNING: #listenerdiscretionisadvised *** / “Carbs, I can taste ‘em…” / ***WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE, TO BUNKERPOON INDUSTRIAL UNDERGROUND PRODUCTIONS…AND THE METAL NERDERY PODCAST!!!*** #rightsquareintheYEAH / #specialguesthost #markoneera (“Yeah?”) / #introsandsuch / “Yeah?” / #thisepisodesbeeroftheepisode / “I’m still on the old diet, here…” / #MonsterEnergyDrink #BeastUnleashed #sixpointzeropercentABV #scaryberries #ninetycalories

Beer of The Episode

Beast Unleashed
Scary Berries

(“There’s no fat in it either…”) / “that’s a soda right there…it tastes like #diabetes” / #supersweet #dangersugar / “It tastes like #AMonster…” #markthetime / “It does make it better…” / “That one had hair on it…” / ***RUSSELLSREFLECTIONSMARKONEASMR*** / “I feel smarter…” / “We’re gonna get through this…” / “I’ve been overwhelmed in the #bunkerpoon…” / #priorcharacters #oldschoolepisodes #projectilediarrhea (“Yeah!”) / #aggressivearnold / #markthetime / “We need one more…like THAT!” / “Thirty bucks, #atthedoor…” / #bargainentertainmentdollar / “Yeah, they killed, for sure.” / Excellent setup at #TheMasqueradeATL / #logisticsASMR / “So many faces…” / #backshadowingASMR / The last time #IronMaiden came to Atlanta…/ #familyreunion #senseofcommunity #metalcommunity #hailtoyouall (“Pantera is NEXT week…at this point!!!”) / #antirelaxers (“No we’re getting #LambOfGod”) #KingParrot / “She’s kinda hot…” / “I know a dude…” / #nontangentional #spankbankASMR #furtherbackshadowing / See also #PhilipAnslemoAndTheIllegalsLiveStream during #theplague / #furtherbackshadowing (“Matt’ll remember this…”) / #twanglified / #whateveritsfine / “Those 3 bands…at #MSG…” / #adjustedforinflation / #evenfurtherbackshadowing #goodseats… / #adjustedforinflationASMR

(14:19): “I’m sorry…” / “I was barely bothered…” / #imsorry / “He was barely bothered…” / #recordscratch / “Tell ‘em…” / “they were really big…” / #hahaha / Umm, wait…what? / “The tickets cost me through the fuckin’ roof!” / #nonsmokingRussellASMR / #MCR / #MyChemicalRomanceASMR / #RussellsReflections (NOTE: Remember, Russell plays BASS now! Just remember that.) / “I’ll put a little pale ale in their fore you…” / #pumpyourowngravy / #markthetime / “That’s actually better…” / ***We have ZERO filler from YOU guys…we MISS you!!!*** Feel free to follow us on the #instagram #facebook and #instatits and #instavag and #facegram or email us at metalnerdery@gmail.com or follow us on the #YouTube channel. / #motherfucker / “Our listenership is going up…” / “They’ll come back…” / #noteven / “Did we look up this band, #TornSoul ?” / #shoutout to #localboys #ActusReus #localAtlantaMetal / #RussellsReflectionsReprise #elbowtoelbow #balltoball / #markthetime / “His mustache is so epic…don’t you think, Adam?” / #notburntreynolds #inabow ***SEND US A YOU-TUBE OR SOME KIND OF LINK OF MUSIC OF WHOEVER YOU THINK SHOULD BE KNOWN WORLDWIDE…AT THE ABOVE EMAIL…OR ON THE SOCIALMEDIAS!*** / #WellPlayYourShittah / #RussellsEnunciationOfThought / “Sounds like #BelaFleck…” / “You can hear it in the #fingering…” / #BrentHindsASMR (“The sounds of #Mastodon”) / “I can tell…by the shapes and the phrasing…” / #SteveMorseASMR / #BurntReynolds

That’s a bit extreme Russell, but whatevs… / #TornSoul (#rightinthebutthole) / #soulbutthole / “Is that the name of the song?” / “Now I’ve GOTTA hear it!” / UNEARTHED #deathcore (“Is that like a 37-string guitar!?”) / “You can see the #djunts in the strings!” / “That’s an 8-string, dude…we’ve got to do a whole episode of THIS!” / #atlantametal / #headlessguitars and feedback

(29:49): ***I can totally play with madness, dude…*** #TheDocket METAL NERDERY PODCAST PRESENTS: IRON MAIDEN’S 1986 PROGRESSIVE MASTERPIECE: SOMEWHERE IN TIME!!!*** / Local guitar teachers of our youth / “I always liked this record…” / “Whatever his fucking name is…” / #youknowwhatimeant / “People got all weird…they’re using #guitarsynths” / #moreprogressive / The increase of #heavythrashmetal in the dominant headspace over the more melodic, progressive style of metal like #IronMaiden at the time / #nostalgic #1986 / “A hot thirteen-year-old, back then…” / “Not age appropriate…” / #notenough / The #oldschooltourshirts #tourshirtdates / “I’ll have to ask him when he gets here…” / #BirthdaySessionsPartTwoASMR / #markthetime / #backtotheshow

(36:45): #recordinginTheBahamas / #beauty #No / “Real quick…” / “In the moment, on that show…” / #thatno (“That IS the No.”) / #whatisaidwas #overproduced #bobrockASMR / #insurancepee / “You gotta get BACK…in time!” / “Of all of them…it’s probably…” / #bestironmaidenalbumcover #vinylalbums #fullsizedLPalbums / “There’s all kinds of references…” / #deepcut #IronMaidensBatman / #insertridiculousanalogyhere / “There’s a whole fucking KEY!” / #spitfire #whistle #heck #clutchedthepearls / “It IS the #Batman…” / #walkways #killeropener #thirtysevenyearsago #noteven (“Dude, we’re all accidents!”) / “There needs to be a switch…” / “I’m just trying to educate people about #science…” / “It’s a #threewaytie …” / “It’s gonna be awesome…” / CAUGHT SOMEWHERE IN TIME #guitarsynths #progressivemetal / THAT is the good stuff! / #borderlinethrash #NWOBHM #NWOBHMASMR / “TIME! Is always on my side!!!” / “You can hear EVERYTHING!” / #toptiermetal #topnotchmetal /

(47:01): “What do you think their streak was?” / “A different flavor…” / #BlazeBayleyIronMaiden / “…saw them at #TheOldMasqueradeATL…” / “What time did they start?” / #tomorrow / “I’ve gotta hear THAT part!” / WASTED YEARS #bassplayerASMR / The buildup section before the #guitarsolo / “I never thought about that, but I could see it…” / “It’s very busy…” / “Maybe we should do that during #TheNextChronicles…” / #highsingin #maidenandforbidden / “NOW? It’s SO good!” / “You can have the evil and the melody…” / #darkhorsesong #deepcut SEA OF MADNESS (“You’ll remember it…”) / “Give me like a teeny splash…” / “Like the eagle and the dove…” / “This might be the heaviest song on this album…” /

(56:26): “It’s got that #oomph to it…” / “It might be a #grower for me…” / “a little defensive…how much of a grower does it have to be?” / #noteventhreefifteen / #notevenhalfbone / HEAVEN CAN WAIT #proggyintro / “That’s pretty busy…” / “It’s almost #thrashy…” / #snapyourhands / #AtlantaMetalLegend #TimHurd / “If he’s not at the show, it’s not an #AtlantaOfficialMetalShow …” / #HailToTimHurd #HailToAtlantaMetal / “that would have been REALLY cool!” / “We saw ‘em like 9 times on that tour!” / “Evidently, there was #somebeef…” / #atleastitsnotcoviddude / “Yeah you can, you really can…” / #asstard #slowdown #fireextinguisher (“You’re #slowingdownthefire”) #fireretardant / THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER (“This is almost #thrashspeed…”) / #melodicthrash #guitarharmonies (“They did more of that on this record than ever before…”) / #layeredharmonies #harmonicperfection (“Too many harmonies!? #NotEnough ”) / “The way it finishes…” / #outroharmonies #multilayeredharmonies #fourpartharmonies (“Ooooh…”) / “Ooooh, You know what the I stands for, right?” / “Oh, sorry…” / #sharingiscaring (“She’s #older than we are…”) / “You’re WAY off…” / “That’s a cool name…” / “That’s the one musician in the whole band!” / #markthetime

(1:09:38): “Something happened…” / “Damn…” / #badroadstories / STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND #easy (“that’s pretty close, also…”) / Eye of the Tiger or Heaven and Hell? / #CustomGuitarSynth / “This song has one of my favorite guitar solos ever…” / “It just got prettier…” / “Shut your mouth…Adrian is soloing…” / “I might say…” #No / #PinkFloydVibes / “It’s my favorite one…except…” / #fifteenpartharmonies #harmonybonerASMR DÉJÀ VU (“Speaking of beef…”) / Either three part or four part harmonies during that part / “It’s a little warm and sticky, but it’s fine…” / “I had no idea…he was inside Eddie…” / Drummers can radically impact the entire sound of a band.

(1:25:44): #killercloser ALEXANDER THE GREAT (“I got that tattooed on my balls actually…”) / #progressivemetal #Macedonia #Babylon / “I like the thickness…” / “He died of fever in Babylon…” / “When I finish, it’s never that glorious…” / Tracking changes? / ***Go check out our Top 3 Favorite Maiden Albums episode!!! *** / “The Powerslave of the #newera of Maiden…” / “Bill loves that song more than he loves KISS…” / #tobefair / ***Which #albumcover do you prefer on #NumberOfTheBeast: the blue or the black? *** / Various feedback regarding the various Iron Maiden album covers over the years / #MaidenIsAwesome / “A slow, slow burning Hell…” / Whores vs Hoors vs HOAs / “Since it's your birthday… / #Helmet has a new album coming out soon called “LEFT”! HOLIDAY / “The best venue in Atlanta, by far…” / #RussellsReflectionsExtendedRemix / #markthetime / “When Helmet came up, it was balls out?” / ***THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS EPISODE OF METAL NERDERY PODCAST!!!*** / Head on over to the #BunkerpoonGiftShoppe at metalnerdery.com/merch and purchandise your #MetalNerderyMerchandise / #outroreel #markthetime

Check out our other MAIDEN Episodes:

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