Great Metal Albums of 1986: Iron Maiden: Somewhere in Time
After Judas Priest’s use of guitar synthesizers on their “Turbo” album, many people in the metal world were waiting with great anxiety on the release of Iron Maiden’s “Somewhere in Time” album because the rumours were flying that Maiden were also using guitar synthesizers on their new album, me included. Like so many metalheads at the time, I thought synthesizers were for pop bands and true metal bands didn’t use them. However, when all the anxiety was over and I finally got to listen to the album, I found that the use of guitar synthesizers didn’t turn Iron Maiden into Duran Duran and actually, “Somewhere in Time” is still a cool album.
Taking a step I didn’t normally take back then, I bought the twelve inch single, “Wasted Years.” Normally, I went straight for the album but I guess the guitar synth rumours made me a little nervous. After a listen or two, I found that the synths suited the song very well and that there was nothing to worry about. Iron Maiden remained true to the sound which made them a sensation. Long story short, I loved the song. One piece of 80smetalman history: the “Wasted Years” twelve inch was the first record I bought when I got to England.
If there was any question to whether Iron Maiden rocks out on the album, then have a listen to the track, “Sea of Madness.” The tracks opens with typical Iron Maiden guitar riffs from Smith and Murray before catapulting into a power tune. Bruce’s vocals are as clear as ever, Steve’s bass line is what you expect from the man as is Nicko’s drumming, plus there is a cool guitar solo. Everything’s there on “Sea of Madness” but it still doesn’t get my vote for hidden gem!
My vote for hidden gem on the album could be controversial. “Heaven Can Wait” wasn’t released as a single but it was played live on the next few Maiden tours after this one. The other point is the fact that it is definitely up there in my top ten or possibly top five of all time 80smetalman favourite Iron Maiden songs. Therefore, it could be argued that the gem isn’t exactly hidden. Nevertheless, this song just totally kicks ass and it’s a case of taking all the good things I said about “Sea of Madness” and multiplying them two or three times more for “Heaven Can Wait.”
Another track which might qualify is “Deja Vu.” Back in 86, it didn’t really make itself known unto me but listening to the album recently, it has caught my notice and it is a better track than what I used to remember. Of course, the other tracks are just as cool, having been a long distance or semi long distance runner in high school, (I ran the 800 metres), I can identify with “The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner.” While the lyrics ring true with me, Iron Maiden are one of the few bands who can capture it so well in the music.
Steve Harris stated that “Somewhere in Time” was never meant to be a concept album but it just happened that most of the songs on it were to do with time, interesting thought. However, Mr. Harris also keeps to his love of putting history to music with the closing track, “Alexander the Great.” I know if I was ever to have the opportunity to teach children about Alexander, then I would use the song to motivate the pupils.
Track Listing:
- Caught Somewhere in Time
- Wasted Years
- Sea of Madness
- Heaven Can Wait
- The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner
- Stranger in a Strange Land
- Deja- Vu
- Alexander the Great

Bruce Dickinson- lead vocals
Steve Harris- bass
Adrian Smith- guitar, backing vocals
Dave Murray- guitar
Nicko McBrain- drums
Guitar synthesizers or not, Iron Maiden put out another great album in 1986 with “Somewhere in Time.” I don’t think the band intended it but the release of the album almost coincided with my arrival in England. It’s not a bad album to arrive in another country to because after listening to it, I didn’t feel like (bad pun alert) a stranger in a strange land.
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This entry was posted on November 29, 2020 at 3:07 pm and is filed under 1980s, Heavy Metal, Heavy Metal and the 1980s, Music, Rock, Uncategorized with tags British, Bruce Dickinson, Classic Rock, hard rock, Heavy Metal, Heavy Rock, Iron Maiden, Somewhere in Time, The 1980s. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
20 Responses to “Great Metal Albums of 1986: Iron Maiden: Somewhere in Time”
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November 29, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Great writeup and over time(ahem) I would consider one of there best in the 80s. The synth sound never bothered me as I bought the album right away.
I did however finally get around to getting a copy of Wasted Years on 45 rpm with Reach Out on the flip side last year 33 years after its initial release! lol
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November 29, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Reach Out was on the B-side of mine as was Sheriff of Huddersfield. Hey, better late than never!
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November 29, 2020 at 4:45 pm
I like this a lot more now than i did back then. I still think it has a few clunky songs on it but I forgive everythign for ‘Wasted Years’ and ‘Loneliness …’
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November 29, 2020 at 8:08 pm
Those are two good songs. I thought “Stranger in a Strange Land” was a bit clunky but the rest of the album is brill.
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November 29, 2020 at 8:18 pm
I need to hear this one sometime – I remember people finding Alexander the Great pretty educational.
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November 29, 2020 at 9:50 pm
Still use the quote when I want to sound well educated
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November 30, 2020 at 12:49 am
LOL
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November 30, 2020 at 12:48 am
Yes, as a teacher, I would use that song in a history lesson. This album is worth a listen.
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November 30, 2020 at 12:28 am
Great stuff. Always god to see the Maiden reviews.
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November 30, 2020 at 12:50 am
Thanks.
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November 30, 2020 at 3:26 pm
Wasted Years is so good. I’ve always felt this was one of their best albums.
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December 1, 2020 at 5:36 pm
It’s definitely up there for me.
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November 30, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Excellent piece, sir! They played Wasted Years as the set-closer when we saw them in Toronto in ’16. OH MAN. I went through this record on the kma at some point, it’s an awesome offering of music from one of THE bands. \m/ \m/
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December 1, 2020 at 5:37 pm
Thanks, I saw them on the tour for this album and of course, they played it. Awesome stuff. Glad to see they still play it when you saw them.
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January 26, 2021 at 12:10 am
I love this album!! “Stranger in a Strange Land” is my favorite track on there, mostly cause of the bass riff!
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January 26, 2021 at 10:30 am
It is a cool riff. Steve Harris is an excellent bass player.
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January 26, 2021 at 10:23 pm
He certainly is. I have trouble hearing bass players most of the time, but I can hear him clearly on the Maiden albums.
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January 27, 2021 at 5:32 pm
Oh definitely!
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March 17, 2021 at 11:45 pm
This is very much an underrated Maiden album! Alexander the great is still a song Maiden needs to play live.
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March 18, 2021 at 7:43 am
I agree with those sentiments totally.
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