732. Iron Maiden / Lord of the Flies [Single]. 1996. 3.5/5

This was the second single released by Iron Maiden from The X Factor album, with Blaze Bayley having come into the fold to replace Bruce Dickinson on vocals. Written by Janick Gers and Steve Harris, the lyrics are based on the famous novel of the same name. I like the song, but it barely seems to get out of second gear all the way through. In a way, the whole of the album tends the same way.

Additional songs here are cover versions, The Who's "My Generation" and UFO's "Doctor Doctor". Both songs sound rather flat compared to the original versions by the original artists. This has been a sore point for me for a long time. The originals are energetic, full of life. And this is Iron Maiden, one of the finest bands... ever! Unfortunately, I really think they should have played these in a live atmosphere and really gone to town on them. Instead, we have a studio feeling, as though it is over produced. You can't over produced these two songs, they really needed to be let loose. While "My Generation" has an innate energy on this recording, it isn't anything spectacularly different, while I must admit I was hoping for a breakout version of "Doctor Doctor" that just doesn't arrive.
Overall, this single is satisfactory without sending shivers down the spine.

Rating:  Saints and sinners, something willing us...  3.5/5