SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME

Shaun Hutson is a fan - even appeared on stage with them.

I'm a fan. I think that I've done my best writing with the music of Iron Maiden playing in the background.

Whether it's their albums or one of the many compilations their sound has been going since the band was formed in Leytonstone in London's East End back in 1975.

The band went through several changes of personnel until in 1978 it found a useful lead singer Paul Di'Anno. The band started to record their music and had low chart success. They reached number 35 with a song titled 'Women In Uniform'. This one has never been released on an album. The label in purple and silver showed the early artwork that would become synonymous with Iron Maiden album covers.

However this single did appear on a CD with 'Invasion', 'Phantom Of The Opera', 'Twilight Zone' and 'Wrathchild'. Very rare and costs the earth and I wouldn't part with it.

Iron Maiden draw the lyrics for their songs from many sources. 'Lord Of The Flies' from the novel by William Golding and a 13 minute long effective telling of Coleridge's 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner'. Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World'. As well as 'The Prisoner' and 'Back To The Village' inspired by the tv series - the former has Patrick MacGoohan's "I'm not a number. I'm a free man." speach on it.

On one tour of America they were denounced by Christians as Satanic and made a public display of burning their albums. Obviously, they had not listened to the lyrics of such songs as 'The Number Of The Beast' or 'Fear Of The Dark'.

In 1981 Paul Di'Anno was replaced by Bruce Dickinson and, to my mind, it is his voice that has brought distinction to the group as a whole. When he left to persue a solo career he was replaced by Blaze Bayley but the two albums that he appeared on were not as good as the previous ones.

Having said that there were many other factors involved.

But when Bruce Dickinson returned to the group it seemed as though the good times were back.

The last three albums 'Brave New World' which includes a song called 'Blood Brothers' is one of the best that they have recorded. 'Dance Of Death' and the sensational 'Matter Of Life And Death' that brings the slaughter of the First World War battle of 'Paschendele' to life.

The album SOMEWHERE BACK IN TIME covers the best tracks from the Iron Maiden albums from 1980 to 1989.

Unfortunately, this does not include their only number one 'Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter' which was written for the soundtrack of 'Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child'. Still it can be heard on the album 'No Prayer For The Dying'.

Included in this compilation is the western inspired 'Run For The Hills'.

The album opens with Churchill's rousing speach followed by the story of the Battle of Britain pilots in 'Aces High'. This album includes many of the well known tracks like 'The Trooper', 'Children Of The Damned', 'Powerslave', and 'Can I Play With Madness'. In many ways a perfect intro to the music of Iron Maiden.

Iron Maiden have made a movie 'Flight 666' and the live album of songs has just been released.

For the best video I can recommend 'Rock In Rio' where Bruce Dickinson shows his acting ability in 'Fear Of The Dark'.

Just another word about Bruce Dickinson. He's a full airline captain and he ferried out 200 UK citizens from Lebanon back in 2006 during the Israel/Hezbollah conflict. A man of many talents with an interesting bio worth reading.

And the origin of the name. Well according to Steve Harris, the founder, the bass player and composer he was watching an adaptation of Alexander Dumas' 'The Man In The Iron Mask' at the time.